FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1632

                         C 378 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Establishing a study group to determine whether further training for state investigators is needed.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Government Administration (originally sponsored by  Representatives D. Schmidt, Scott, Reams, Kenney, Blalock, Dickerson, Wood, Ogden, Costa, Dunn, Tokuda, Butler and Cole; by request of Attorney General).

House Committee on Government Administration

Senate Committee on Government Operations

Background:  Various state agencies employ investigators, including the Washington State Patrol, Public Disclosure Commission, Washington State Auditors Office, and the Office of the Attorney General.

Summary:  A study group is created to develop mandatory training, policies and procedures for state investigators.

The study group consists of the following 13 members:  The Attorney General, chief of the state patrol, State Auditor, one legislator from each caucus of the Senate and House of Representatives, a representative of the Governor=s office, two representatives of state agencies appointed by the Governor, a representative appointed by the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, a representative appointed by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and a representative appointed by the criminal justice program at the Washington State University.  The Attorney General and chief of the state patrol co-chair the study group.

The Office of the Attorney General provides staff and administrative support for the study group.

The study group develops minimum training requirements, including training requirements for civil and criminal investigations, evaluates current training requirements and policies, recommends who will provide training, recommends basic policies and procedures for investigators, develops cost estimates for mandatory training, and makes recommendations on the scope of duties and responsibilities of state investigators.  The study group is required to focus on state investigators in a number of state agencies, including the offices of the Attorney General and State Auditor.

The study group is directed to deliver its recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 1997, and the law expires on June 1, 1998.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 45 0 (Senate amended)

House  92 0 (House concurred)

Effective:July 27,  1997