FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1611

C 223 L 01

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Modifying missing persons record retention policies.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Schindler and Romero; by request of Washington State Patrol.

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

Senate Committee on Judiciary

Background:

When a missing person has not been found for 30 days, the law enforcement agency conducting the investigation requests consent from the missing person=s family to obtain the missing person=s dental records.  After conferring with the county coroner or medical examiner, the law enforcement agency then submits both a missing person=s report and the dental records of the missing person to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). 

The missing person=s dental records are entered into the WSP=s dental identification system.  The dental identification system stores the dental examination records and compares the records with other dental records filed by law enforcement authorities of unidentified human remains.  When an unidentified body is discovered, the dental records are used as a means of identification.

The dental identification system maintains a file of information for all persons reported missing, but not reported found.  All of a missing person=s records must be erased from the dental identification system when the person is found.

Summary:

The dental records of persons reported as missing must remain in the dental identification system after the person is found.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate452

Effective:  July 22, 2001