SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1849

As of February 21, 2002

Title:  An act relating to a record check of the parks and recreation commission's job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors.

Brief Description:  Requiring the parks and recreation commission to have a record check performed on certain job applicants.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Pearson (co‑prime sponsor), Jackley (co-prime sponsor), Doumit, Eickmeyer, Rockefeller, Cox, Barlean, Armstrong, Bush and O'Brien; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  3/28/01 [DPA-WM]; 2/27/02.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Staff:  Kari Guy (786‑7437)

Background:  The Parks and Recreation Commission does not have the express authority to require a record check or fingerprinting of prospective employees, volunteers, or contractors.

Government agencies and other employers are concerned that children and vulnerable adults could potentially be victimized by someone who is an employee, volunteer, or contractor of the agency or employer.  Background checks of these prospective employees, volunteers, and contractors could help identify people who have had a record of improper conduct in the past.

Summary of Bill:  The commission must adopt rules that require a record check and fingerprinting of current employees, job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors who work with children or vulnerable adults, or who are responsible for collecting or disbursing money or processing credit card transactions.  The record check and fingerprinting is conducted through the Washington State Patrol Criminal Identification System and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The commission must require the destruction of any fingerprints, copies of fingerprints, or their facsimiles after the screening of the prospective employee job applicant, volunteer, or independent contractor is completed.

Permanent employees of the commission who are employed upon the effective date of this legislation are exempt from the record check and fingerprinting requirement.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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