SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6054

              AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 8, 1994

Brief Description:  Concerning the Washington state patrol's dental identification system.

SPONSORS: Senator Loveland

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Drew, Haugen, Morton, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Schow, Sheldon and Winsley.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates: January 17, 1994; January 18, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Identification Section provides a central repository for missing persons who are reported by local law enforcement agencies.  When people are listed as missing, local law enforcement agencies try to obtain the missing individual's dental records and forward them to the WSP for entry into a computer database. 

When an unidentified body is discovered, the dental records are used as a means of identification.

SUMMARY:

An appropriation is provided to the Washington State Patrol for the purposes of contracting with a forensic dental adviser.

Appropriation:  $25,000 from the general fund.

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The Death Investigation Council supports this appropriation to compensate a forensic dental advisor who has been providing this service on a volunteer basis.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Debbie Wilke, WA Assn. of County Officials (pro); Tim Erickson, WSP