Legislators campaign against sex offender housing

Legislation by Mason County legislators to restrict sex offender housing failed to pass out of committee Friday, the final day for policy bills to advance.

According to a news release, Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, and seatmate Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, introduced House Bill 1813, which would only allow the Department of Social and Health Services to house sex offenders in facilities on McNeil Island or a facility in South Seattle. The bill would also restrict the state from using any new facilities.

The bills are in response to a Tenino residential home run by a private company to house sex...