H-4561.2          _______________________________________________

 

                            SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2622

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

 

By House Committee on Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Fraser, Winsley, Leonard, J. Kohl, Paris, Mitchell and Bowman)

 

Read first time 02/07/92.  Modifying background checks on persons providing services for physically disabled or mentally impaired persons.


     AN ACT Relating to state background checks on persons providing services to physically disabled or mentally impaired persons; amending RCW 43.20A.710; and creating a new section.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

     Sec. 1.  RCW 43.20A.710 and 1989 c 334 s 13 are each amended to read as follows:

     The secretary shall investigate the conviction records, pending charges or disciplinary board final decisions of:  (1) Persons being considered for state employment in positions directly responsible for the supervision, care, or treatment of children, mentally ill persons or developmentally disabled persons; and (2) individual providers who are paid by the state and hired by physically disabled or mentally ill or impaired persons.  The investigation may include an examination of state and national criminal identification data and the child abuse and neglect register established under chapter 26.44 RCW.  The secretary shall provide the results of the state background check on individual providers to the physically disabled or mentally ill or impaired persons who hired them.  The secretary and clients who employ individual providers shall use the information solely for the purpose of determining the character, suitability, and competence of these applicants.  Criminal justice agencies shall provide the secretary such information as they may have and that the secretary may require for such purpose.  If necessary, persons may be employed on a conditional basis pending completion of the background investigation.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.      This act applies prospectively only and not retroactively.