New Washington domestic violence law allows victim’s statement at sentencing

A bill from state Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, signed into law by Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday will give domestic violence victims the right to make a statement during sentencing hearings.

“The idea that people can make statements at sentencing is not new, but in Washington that right is guaranteed only in cases of felony convictions. This law will assure the right of victims to be heard in any case involving domestic violence,” Wilson said in a press release Wednesday.

“It’s not just important for victims and their families, as part of the healing process, but it’s important for all of us to hear what victims have to say,” she said.

Senate Bill 5612 passed the House and Senate with unanimous votes during the 2022 legislative session. The new law allows victims or survivors of victims to present a statement to the court during sentencing hearings for convictions involving domestic violence. The statements can be given by the victim or their designated representative.

Building on Tiffany Hill Act

Wilson said the unanimous support of SB 5612 was the result of the momentum from 2020’s unanimous passage of the Tiffany Hill Act. That law allows domestic-violence victims to have access to the electronic monitoring with real-time notification technology that can warn them when their attacker is nearby; it’s named for the Vancouver mother and former Marine sergeant who was murdered in front of her children in 2019 by her estranged husband, despite Hill having a restraining order against him.

“I have no question that Tiffany Hill’s compelling story is behind the new level of resolve across the Legislature I’ve sensed when it comes to domestic violence issues,” Wilson said. “I’ll say it again: Tiffany may be gone, but she continues to serve.”

The new law takes effect June 9.