Purpose: The revisions will increase the fees charged to the general public and private entities conducting criminal history background checks. The last fee study for background checks was conducted in 1993. Since then, the costs associated with conducting background checks have increased. The ways to obtain criminal history have expanded from mailed inquiries to include walk-in customers and internet access.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 446-20-600.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 10.97.100, 43.43.742.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 04-17-068 on August 12, 2004.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: January 10, 2005.

Lowell Porter

Chief

OTS-6343.1

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-07-050, filed 3/15/99, effective 4/15/99)

WAC 446-20-600   Fees.   (1) A nonrefundable fee of ((ten)) thirty-five dollars shall accompany each request for conviction records submitted for a name and date of birth background check or a ((twenty-five)) ten-dollar fee for a name and date of birth electronic request, thirty dollar fee if the request is submitted by fingerprint card at the state level pursuant to RCW 43.43.830 through 43.43.845, and chapter 10.97 RCW unless through prior arrangement, an account is authorized and established.

     (2) A nonrefundable FBI fee of twenty-four dollars shall be charged for fingerprint cards submitted for federal searches. It shall be the responsibility of the Washington state patrol to collect all fees due and forward fingerprint cards and fees to the FBI.

     (3) A nonrefundable fee of ((ten)) thirteen dollars shall be charged for taking ((inked)) fingerprint impressions by the Washington state patrol. Fees are to be deposited in the Washington state patrol fingerprint identification account.

     (4) All fees are to be made payable to the Washington state patrol and are to be remitted by cash, cashier's check, money order or check written on a business account. Credit cards may be used only for payment of electronic requests and for any other fingerprint or conviction record services the state patrol has implemented credit card payment procedures. The Washington state patrol identification and criminal history section shall adjust the fee schedule as may be practicable to ensure that direct and indirect costs associated with the provisions of these chapters are recovered.

     (5) Pursuant to the provisions of RCW 43.43.838 and chapter 28A.410 RCW, no fees will be charged to a nonprofit organization, or volunteers in school districts and educational service districts for background checks.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.43.742 through 43.43.845 and chapter 10.97 RCW. 99-07-050, § 446-20-600, filed 3/15/99, effective 4/15/99. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.43.830 - [43.43.]845, chapters 10.97, 28A.400 and 74.15 RCW. 96-18-017, § 446-20-600, filed 8/26/96, effective 9/26/96.]

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