OLYMPIA… Legislation signed today by the governor in a ceremony at the state Capitol will assure domestic-violence victims the right to offer a statement during a sentencing hearing.

The law created by Sen. Lynda Wilson’s Senate Bill 5612 ensures victims and survivors of victims will have the opportunity to be heard in any case involving domestic violence.

“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,” said Wilson, R-Vancouver. “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.”

Wilson sees the unanimous support SB 5612 received in both legislative chambers as a product 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 DV issues,” said Wilson. “I’ll say it again: Tiffany may be gone, but she continues to serve.”

The new law takes effect June 9.