SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6221

                    As of January 15, 1996

Title:  An act relating to biennial background checks of persons providing services to children, developmentally disabled persons, and vulnerable adults.

Brief Description:  Providing for biennial background checks of persons providing services to children, developmentally disabled persons, and vulnerable adults.

Sponsors:  Senators Kohl, Long, Fairley, McAuliffe, Prentice, Franklin, Winsley, Oke, Bauer and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/16/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Staff:  Jodi Walker (786-7464)

Background:  Currently, developmentally disabled persons, vulnerable adults, and businesses and organizations providing services to children, developmentally disabled persons, and vulnerable adults may obtain records from the Washington State Patrol criminal identification system on prospective employees.  The records are intended to provide adequate background information so that developmentally disabled persons, vulnerable adults, and businesses and organizations providing services to children, developmentally disabled persons, and vulnerable adults can determine which employees or licensees to hire or engage.

The background information consists of convictions of offenses against children or other persons, convictions for crimes relating to financial exploitation (but only if the victim was a vulnerable adult), adjudications of child abuse, issuances of a protective order, and disciplinary board final decisions. 

However, no provision is made for subsequent background checks of employees, licensees or volunteers to determine their continued eligibility to work with children, developmentally disabled persons, and vulnerable adults.

Summary of Bill:  Businesses and organizations providing services to children, developmentally disabled persons, and vulnerable adults may conduct biennial background checks of employees, licensees, or volunteers. 

A business or organization must give notice to an employee, licensee, or volunteer that an inquiry may be made.  Also, a business or organization must require each employee, licensee, or volunteer to disclose convictions and other findings of sexual or physical abuse against minors or developmentally disabled persons and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 11, 1996.

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