Everett city prosecutor Grace Sinclair told the City Council Oct. 29 she is seeking to amend Everett Municipal Code Chapter 10.16 to make it a crime to commit a domestic-violence offense in the immediate presence of a minor child.

Sinclair said the proposed code change is intended to be prosecuted only in conjunction with an underlying domestic-violence charge and would add a separate sentencing enhancement (she described "at least 15 days" in addition to the domestic-violence sentence). She cited psychological and public-health research, including the CDC's adverse childhood experiences framework and peer-reviewed studies, linking exposure to domestic violence with anxiety, depression, PTSD, substance use and long-term health risks.

"A child witnessing domestic violence is experiencing trauma that can have lasting physical and mental-health effects," Sinclair said, describing a pending local case in which a child was present during a domestic-violence incident and asking why additional charges did not apply under current municipal code.

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about how the ordinance would be applied and about post-charge services. Sinclair said the provision is "precursor-based" (it requires an underlying domestic-violence offense), and that prosecutors and the Everett Police Department already coordinate referrals to victim services, including domestic-violence services in Snohomish County; she described negotiations with defense counsel and options to require or encourage defendants to access services as part of case resolution.

Sinclair and councilmembers discussed that the ordinance is primarily protective and prosecutorial rather than a standalone rehabilitative tool, and that child services referrals and coordination with county domestic-violence service providers and Child Protective Services would continue when warranted.

Council set the ordinance's third and final reading for Nov. 12, 2025, continuing the legislative process.

Timing and next steps: the measure was introduced at first briefing on Oct. 29 and will return for the council's further readings before a final vote.