SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 1189

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                 Law & Justice, March 27, 1995

                  Ways & Means, April 3, 1995

Title:  An act relating to dissemination of criminal history information.

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.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  3/23/95, 3/27/95 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means:  4/3/95 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

  Signed by Senators Smith, Chair; Hargrove, Haugen, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Roach and Schow.

Staff:  Susan Carlson (786-7418)

Background:  The Washington State Patrol is authorized in a variety of circumstances to furnish a conviction record of a person upon the written request of an employer.  The patrol has suggested that employers should also be allowed to submit requests electronically.

The patrol also conducts fingerprint checks of prospective employees of school districts.  The receipts from incremental charges for these checks are deposited in the fingerprint identification account in the custody of the State Treasurer.  Only the chief of the State Patrol or the chief's designee may authorize expenditures from the account, and the expenditures are limited to use for the cost of record checks.  No appropriation is required for expenditures from this account prior to July 1, 1995.  After June 30, 1995, the account is subject to appropriation. 

The patrol requests that the fingerprint identification account receive all receipts from charges for fingerprint checks requested for noncriminal justice purposes and electronic background requests.

Summary of Bill:  Employers may request background checks from the Washington State Patrol electronically as well as in writing.

All receipts from incremental charges for fingerprint checks requested for noncriminal justice purposes and electronic background requests must be deposited in the fingerprint identification account.  The account remains an unappropriated account through June 30, 1997.  After July 1, 1997, the account is subject to appropriation.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The bill enables the patrol to keep up with technology by allowing employers to request background checks electronically.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Robertson, prime sponsor; Bob Leichner, Kim Zangar, WSP.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Rinehart, Chair; Loveland, Vice Chair; Bauer, Cantu, Drew, Finkbeiner, Fraser, Gaspard, Hargrove, Hochstatter, Johnson, Long, McDonald, Pelz, Quigley, Roach, Sheldon, Snyder, Spanel, Strannigan, Sutherland, West, Winsley and Wojahn.

Staff:  Linda Brownell (786-7913)

Testimony For:  The bill does not expand the scope of background checks but allows for an electronic check greatly expediting the process.  Paper requests are still available.  This bill will assist the public to complete background checks.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Bob Leichner, WA State Patrol (pro).