FINAL BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 6398

                           C 27 L 96

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing for background checks of employees at the special commitment center.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Long and Oke; by request of Department of Social and Health Services).

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committee on Children & Family Services

Background:  Historically, the Special Commitment Center (SCC) required background checks on all prospective staff having resident contact.  The authorization for such checks was derived from statutes covering persons with developmental disabilities.  When the persons with developmental disabilities offender program was removed from the SCC, the SCC no longer could legally conduct background checks.  The SCC wants prospective employees to comply with a background check to satisfy safety and security needs.

Summary:  The Department of Social and Health Services has legal authority to require all Special Commitment Center current and prospective employees, as a condition of employment, to comply with a background check.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    47 0

House     95 0

Effective:  June 6, 1996