SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1611

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Judiciary, March 29, 2001

Title:  An act relating to missing persons record retention policies.

Brief Description:  Modifying missing persons record retention policies.

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

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Judiciary:  3/29/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Constantine, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Johnson, Long, McCaslin, Roach, Thibaudeau and Zarelli.

Staff:  Lilah Amos (786‑7421)

Background:  The Washington State Patrol administers a dental identification system which contains dental records of persons missing for 30 days.  When a person who has been reported missing is later found, current Washington law requires that the dental identification system erase all dental records regarding the formerly missing person.  In practice, sometimes these records are the original and only available dental records of the person, and the Washington State Patrol has suggested that the records remain available in the identification system and not be destroyed.

Summary of Bill:  The Washington State Patrol's dental identification system is authorized to retain the dental record of each person who was reported missing for more than 30 days but was later found, and is not required to purge or erase those records.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.