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Rep. Hans Dunshee, serving the 44th District Serving a portion of southwest Snohomish County. |
Dunshee praises House for passing Eryk’s Law
March 10, 2009
OLYMPIA – The House of Representatives passed legislation designed to
protect children after the parents of Eryk Woodruff traveled to Olympia to
meet with lawmakers and testify on the bill.
“Nobody can listen to
their story without wanting to do something,” said Rep. Hans Dunshee,
D-Snohomish, a sponsor of the legislation. “I want to thank the Woodruffs
for having the courage to tell their story and fight to make sure what
happened to Eryk doesn’t happen to other kids.”
When Eryk was a
year-and-a-half old, he was beaten by a friend of the family who was
babysitting him. Doctors didn’t think he would live. Though he did survive,
his parents say the injuries linger.
Eryk’s Law
(House Bill 2279) passed the House 96-0. It is now being considered by
the Senate. The new law would ban those convicted of first degree assault on
a child from working with children or serving as a volunteer with children.
The bill would also examine giving judges more flexibility to give
exceptional sentences for those convicted of the crime.