FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 1189
C 169 L 95
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Revising provisions relating to dissemination of criminal history information by the Washington state patrol.
Sponsors: Representatives Robertson, Chappell, Padden, Thompson, Blanton, Sheahan, Basich, McMahan and Dickerson; by request of Washington State Patrol.
House Committee on Law & Justice
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Law & Justice
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Background: Employers may ask the Washington State Patrol to conduct a criminal history background check of a prospective or current employee under a variety of circumstances. One provision of current law requires employers to submit a written request. Current technology allows requests to be submitted electronically.
All receipts from charges for fingerprint checks requested by school districts are deposited in a fingerprint identification account in the State Treasurer's custody. Receipts for fingerprint checks by the Federal Bureau of Investigation may also be deposited in the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only for the cost of record checks. Only the Chief of the State Patrol or the Chief's designee may authorize expenditures from the account.
The fingerprint identification account is currently an unappropriated account, but an appropriation will be required for expenditures from the account after June 30, 1995.
Summary: Employers may request background checks from the Washington State Patrol electronically as well as in writing.
All receipts from charges for fingerprint checks requested for noncriminal justice purposes and from electronic background requests must be deposited in the fingerprint identification account.
The fingerprint identification account will remain an unappropriated account through June 30, 1997. On and after July 1, 1997, the account will be subject to appropriation.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 98 0
Senate 46 0
Effective: July 23, 1995