Brief Description: Providing for identification of public assistance recipients with outstanding warrants.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Berkey, Cox, Hatfield, Hankins, Kessler, Miloscia, Buck, Mielke, Pearson and Upthegrove.

Hearing Date: 1/29/03

Staff: Sonja Hallum (786-7092).

Background:

If a law enforcement officer or immigration official furnishes the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) with information regarding a public welfare recipient demonstrating the name, social security number, and proof the person is a fugitive, the department must provide the law enforcement officer or immigration official with the person's address and location.

If the Department becomes aware that a public welfare recipient has a valid outstanding warrant for his or her arrest, the Department may notify law enforcement of the location of the recipient.

If a welfare recipient is convicted of any crime or offense, and is punished by imprisonment, the department must suspend that person's public assistance payments during the period the person is imprisoned.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington State Patrol and the Department are required to coordinate with one another on a quarterly basis to determine if any recipients of public assistance have outstanding warrants for his or her arrest based on criminal charges. If a person has an outstanding warrant for his or her arrest, the Department is required to provide the State Patrol with his or her address.

If the person is convicted or any crime of offense, and is punished by imprisonment, the Department must suspend that person's public assistance payments during the period the person is imprisoned.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 26, 2003.

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