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               ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6398

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State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

 

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

 

Read first time 01/31/96.

 

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



    AN ACT Relating to background checks of employees at the special commitment center; and adding a new section to chapter 71.09 RCW.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 71.09 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The safety and security needs of the secure facility operated by the department of social and health services pursuant to RCW 71.09.060(1) make it vital that employees working in the facility meet necessary character, suitability, and competency qualifications.  The secretary shall require a record check through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system under chapter 10.97 RCW and through the federal bureau of investigation.  The record check must include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card.  The criminal history record checks shall be at the expense of the department.  The secretary shall use the information only in making the initial employment or engagement decision, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.  Further dissemination or use of the record is prohibited.

    (2) This section applies to all current employees hired prior to the effective date of this act who have not previously submitted to a department of social and health services criminal history records check.  The secretary shall use the information only in determining whether the current employee meets the necessary character, suitability, and competency requirements for employment or engagement.

 


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