H-1353.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1757

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representatives Carrell and Anderson

Read first time 02/02/2001.  Referred to Committee on Judiciary.

Permitting law library services through online electronic research tools.

    AN ACT Relating to law libraries; adding a new section to chapter 27.24 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that there may be increased efficiencies in the provision of law library services through the use of available online electronic research tools.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 27.24 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The state library shall investigate the possibility of contracting with a vendor or vendors of online electronic legal research services for the provision of such services statewide through the county law library system.

    (2) If the state library determines that such a contract would be an improvement in the efficiency of the delivery of law library services in the counties, after June 30, 2002, the state library may enter into such a contract.  If the state library enters into a contract, the state library shall provide for the availability of an online electronic research system at any county law library that chooses to contract with the state library for such services.  Any such system shall allow for librarians and patrons to use the research services either at the library facility or through electronic connection with the library.

    (3) As part of a contract with a county law library, the state library may charge a fee to any county law library that chooses to use the system made available by the state library.  A county law library may charge a fee to any patron for the use of the system.

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