Ordinance 2159-96 - Laserfiche WebLink

• • r. ORDINANCE NO. o7"5 Y- 9 , AN ORDINANCE relating to domestic violence, adding a new section to Ordinance No. 1145-85 (EMC Title 10 - Criminal Code). WHEREAS, the 1996 Washington State Legislature adopted House Bill 2472 (Chapter 248, 1996 Laws of Washington), which added a new crime of interference with the reporting of domestic violence; and WHEREAS, the City of Everett City Council deems it necessary for the general safety, health and welfare of its citizens to prohibit interference with the reporting of domestic violence. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: Section 1: A new section is hereby added to Ordinance No. 1145-85, to read as follows: Interference With the Reporting of Domestic Violence 1. A person commits the crime of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence if the person: A. Commits a crime of domestic violence, as defined in RCW 10.99.020 as now or hereafter amended; and B. Prevents or attempts to prevent the victim of or a witness to that domestic violence crime from calling a 911 emergency communication system, obtaining medical assistance, or making a report to any law enforcement official. 2. Commission of a crime of domestic violence under subsection 1 of this section is a necessary element of the crime of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence. 3. Interference with the reporting of domestic violence is a gross misdemeanor. Section 2: Codification. Section 1 of this ordinance shall be codified as a new section of Everett Municipal Code Chapter 10.16 - Assault and Related Offenses. Section 3: Severability. Should any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance or its application to any person or situation be declared unconstitutional or invalid for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other person or situation. The City Council of the City of Everett hereby declares that it would have adopted this ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, clauses, phrases, or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional.