SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5599

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Government Operations, February 20, 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:  Senators McCaslin and Haugen; by request of Attorney General.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/14/97, 2/20/97 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5599 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  Private investigators (formerly private detectives) are licensed by the state of Washington.  However, an officer or employee of the United States or of Washington State or its political subdivisions is exempt while engaged in the officer=s official duties.  It has been suggested that for state investigators there is minimal training on policies and procedures for investigations, enforcement, and scope of duties.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  A temporary study group is established to develop mandatory training, policies, and procedures for state investigators.  The study group is to focus on state investigators in the following agencies:  Attorney General=s Office; Auditor=s Office; Departments of Corrections, Health, Labor and Industries, Licensing, Revenue; Liquor Control Board; Public Disclosure Commission; and Washington State Patrol.  The study group consists of the Attorney General (Co-chair); Chief of the State Patrol (Co-chair); 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 Washington State University.

The study group must develop minimum ongoing training requirements for state investigators; evaluate current training requirements, policies and procedures; recommend who will provide training, how it will be done, and minimal training requirements; recommend basic policies and procedures; develop cost estimates for mandatory training; and make recommendations on the scope of duties and responsibilities for state investigators.

The study group must deliver its recommendations to the Legislature by February 15, 1998. The study group terminates on June 1, 1998.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Date of delivery of recommendations is moved from December 1, 1997 to February 15, 1998.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Too many varying standards.  We need better training to avoid liability.  Evidence is not always handled properly.  We do not want to lose criminal cases because evidence has been improperly handled.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Annette Sandberg, Chief, WSP; Christine Gregoire, Attorney General; Gary Gilbert, Liquor Control Board; Amber Balch, AWB.