HB 1055, sponsored by Rep. Debra Entenman (D–Kent), passed out of the House unanimously. The bill would apply the warrantless arrest statute in cases where a no-contact order was issued for the promotion of prostitution or human trafficking.

Under existing law, a court may issue a no-contact order to protect a victim either during criminal proceedings or upon conviction of the defendant. If a no-contact order is entered in a case involving the crime of promoting prostitution or human trafficking, the defendant is subject to arrest if they contact the victim. However, these crimes are not currently included on the list of offenses to which the warrantless arrest statute applies.

HB 1055 establishes that law enforcement must arrest anyone that they have probable cause to believe has violated a no-contact order related to one of these offenses.

AWC supports the bill.

Dates to remember

HB 1055 is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Law & Justice Committee at 8:30 am on Monday, February 25.