SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5697
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Judiciary, February 20, 2001
Title: An act relating to missing persons record retention policies.
Brief Description: Modifying missing persons record retention policies.
Sponsors: Senators Roach, Patterson and Winsley; by request of Washington State Patrol.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Judiciary: 2/15/01, 2/20/01 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Kline, Chair; Constantine, Vice Chair; Costa, Hargrove, Johnson, Kastama, 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 continues to maintain a file containing 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 these records.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: It is important to keep dental records of persons who have been reported missing in the dental identification system. Sometimes persons are reported missing more than once. Dental records transferred back and forth between local law enforcement and the dental identification system can be lost. This is a stable and secure way to insure that the records are available.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Captain Eric Robertson, WSP; Debbie Wilkie, Coroners & Medical Examiners, Forensic Investigators.