FINAL BILL REPORT

                 E2SSB 6683

                          C 118 L 00

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Reporting information on routine traffic enforcement.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Franklin, Kline, Heavey, Thibaudeau and Costa).

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  Concern exists about the possibility of Aracial profiling@ or the practice of targeting certain racial groups for traffic stops.  While some local law enforcement agencies have collected some data on the issue, and the Washington State Patrol has recently begun collecting information, no comprehensive study of the problem has been done to determine whether the practice is widespread in Washington.

Summary:  Beginning May 1, 2001, the Washington State Patrol must collect data on all traffic stops.  The data collected includes total number of stops, reason for each stop, race or ethnicity, age, and gender of individuals stopped, whether there was a search, and whether there was an arrest or citation issued.  A report on this data must be made to the Legislature by December 1, 2000.

The State Patrol must cooperate with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to develop further criteria for use and evaluation of racial profiling data and training for officers.  A report must be made to the Legislature by December 1, 2000, concerning voluntary cooperation by local law enforcement agencies.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 452

House971

Effective:March 24, 2000