Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Transportation Committee |
SSB 5610
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. |
Brief Description: Authorizing the release of driving record abstracts for employment purposes.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Delvin, Sheldon, Berkey, Jarrett and Shin).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 4/2/09
Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315)
Background:
The Director of the Department of Licensing (DOL) maintains a case record on every person licensed to operate a motor vehicle in Washington. These case records or abstracts contain information relating to a person's driving record, including:
a list of motor vehicle accidents in which the person was driving;
whether any of the motor vehicle accidents resulted in a fatality;
any reported convictions, forfeitures of bail, or findings that an infraction was committed based upon a violation of any motor vehicle law;
the status of the person's driving privilege in this state; and
any reports of failure to appear in response to a traffic citation or failure to respond to a notice of an infraction.
Washington law restricts the distribution and use of abstracts. Certified abstracts may only be released to specified persons, including:
the individual named in the abstract;
an employer, prospective employer, or volunteer organization for which the individual named in the abstract has applied for a position that requires the transportation of certain groups;
a transit authority checking prospective vanpool drivers;
specified insurance companies;
an alcohol/drug assessment or treatment agency approved by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS);
city and county prosecuting attorneys;
state colleges, universities, or agencies for risk management or employment purposes; and
units of local government authorized to self-insure.
Summary of Bill:
The list of those to whom the DOL may furnish a driving record abstract is expanded to include employers, prospective employers, volunteer organizations, and agents acting on behalf of these entities, so long as the abstract is obtained for employment purposes.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.