SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESSB 6398

              As Passed Senate, February 6, 1996

Title:  An act relating to background checks of employees at the special commitment center.

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).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Human Services & Corrections:  1/11/96, 1/25/96, 1/30/96 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 2/6/96, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6398 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Kohl, Long, Moyer, Prentice, Schow, Smith, Strannigan, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  Jodi Walker (786-7464)

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 of Bill:  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.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The bill provides for background checks similar to those currently done for personnel of the Department of Corrections, in which the Special Commitment Center is housed.  These checks would assist with safety and security needs at the Special Commitment Center.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  David Weston, Department of Social and Health Services (pro).