_______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE
HOUSE BILL 1632
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Passed
Legislature - 1997 Regular Session
AS
AMENDED BY THE SENATE
State of Washington 55th
Legislature 1997 Regular Session
By
Read first time 02/20/97.
Establishing
a study group to determine whether further training for state investigators is
needed.
AN
ACT Relating to training for state investigators; creating a new section; and
providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. (1)
The legislature finds that there is a need for more coordinated and uniform
training and protocols for state investigators. State investigators are
employed by numerous state agencies and separately elected offices. Currently
there is minimal training on policies and procedures for investigations,
enforcement, and scope of duties and responsibilities. It is the intent of the
legislature to commission a study group to develop mandatory training,
policies, and procedures for state investigators.
(2)
The study group shall focus on state investigators in the following agencies:
Attorney general's office; auditor's office; department of corrections;
department of health; department of ecology; department of fish and wildlife;
department of labor and industries; department of licensing; department of
revenue; liquor control board; public disclosure commission; department of
social and health services; and Washington state patrol.
(3)
The study group shall consist of: The attorney general; chief of the state
patrol; state auditor; one legislator from each caucus of the senate and house
of representatives, as appointed by leaders of the caucuses; a representative
from 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 shall be
cochaired by the attorney general and the chief of the state patrol.
(4)
The study group shall:
(a)
Develop minimum ongoing training requirements for state investigators.
Training must include education in civil investigations and recognition of
crimes for transfer to appropriate law enforcement agencies;
(b)
Evaluate current training requirements, policies, and procedures for state
investigators;
(c)
Recommend who will provide training, how it will be done, and minimal training
requirements;
(d)
Recommend basic policies and procedures for state investigators;
(e)
Develop cost estimates for mandatory training;
(f)
Make recommendations on the scope of duties and responsibilities for state
investigators; and
(g)
Include other issues related to state investigators, as desired by the study
group.
(5)
The office of the attorney general shall provide staff and administrative
support for the study group.
(6)
The study group shall deliver its recommendations to the legislature by
December 1, 1997.
(7) This section shall expire June 1, 1998.
