SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1632

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

             Government Operations, March 27, 1997

Title:  An act relating to training for state investigators.

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

Sponsors:  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).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  3/25/97, 3/27/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chair; Hale, Vice Chair; Anderson, Haugen and Horn.

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  Various state agencies employ investigators, including the State Patrol, Public Disclosure Commission, State Auditors Office, and Attorney General=s Office.  It has been suggested that there is minimal training on policies and procedures for investigations, enforcement, and scope of duties.

Summary of Bill:  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 provides 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 directed to deliver its recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 1997, and the law expires on June 1, 1998.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 11, 1997.

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

Testimony For:  Perhaps a definition of Ainvestigator@ should be added.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Anila Neumeister, Attorney General=s Office (pro); Gordon Walgren, WA State Fire Chiefs= Assn. (pro); John Bumford, DSHS.