Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee

HB 1611

Brief Description:  Modifying missing persons record retention policies.

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

Brief Summary of Bill

$Allows a person=s dental records to remain in the Washington State Patrol=s dental identification system after a person reported as missing has been found.

Hearing Date:  2/14/01

Staff:  Matthew Zuchetto (786‑7291).

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. Funds for the dental identification system come from the state general fund.

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

Summary of Bill: 

The dental records of persons reported as missing are no longer required to be removed from the dental identification system after the person is found.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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