Kimberly Bender's law increases penalties for custodial misconduct

OLYMPIA — On March 30, Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law an act that increases the penalties for the crime of custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree. Substitute Senate Bill 5033 changes the classification of second-degree custodial sexual misconduct from a gross misdemeanor to a class C felony. The change increases the maximum confinement from 364 days to five years, and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $10,000. The change also means that those found guilty of custodial sexual misconduct in the second degree would serve their sentence in a state correctional facility instead of a county jail, according to Moses Lake Police Chief Kevin Fuhr.