FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1030

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Sponsors: Representatives Appleton, Chandler, Hunt, Liias, Angel, Hope, Dammeier and Moeller; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Background:

The Public Records Act (PRA) requires that all state and local government agencies make all public records available for public inspection and copying unless the records fall within certain statutory exemptions. The provisions requiring public records disclosure must be interpreted liberally and the exemptions interpreted narrowly in order to effectuate a general policy favoring disclosure.The statutory exemptions include portions of records containing specific and unique vulnerability assessments of emergency and escape plans at a city, county, or state juvenile correctional facility. To fall within this exemption, the disclosure must pose a substantial likelihood that the safety of the correctional facility or any individual would be threatened.

Summary:

Records containing specific and unique vulnerability assessments of emergency and escape plans at the Special Commitment Center are exempt from the PRA as long as the disclosure of these records would pose a substantial likelihood that, if disclosed, the safety of the correctional facility or any individual would be threatened.

Votes on Final Passage:

House	94	0
Senate	46	0