FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1232

C 99 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Requiring jail booking fees to be based on actual costs.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives Kirby, Carrell and Flannigan).

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

Municipalities and counties are authorized to require any person who is booked in a county or municipal jail to pay a $10 booking fee to the sheriff's department or police chief's department where the jail is located. The person may pay the booking fee from any money currently in his or her possession. If the person does not have any money in his or her current possession, then the sheriff must notify the court for assessment of the fee. If the defendant is acquitted, not charged, or if the charges are dismissed, then the sheriff or police chief must return the booking fee to the defendant at the last known address in the booking records.

Summary:

Municipalities and counties are authorized to require any person who is booked in a county or municipal jail to pay the actual cost incurred for his or her booking or $100, whichever is less, as opposed to a flat $10 booking fee.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 97  0

Senate 46  2

Effective: July 27, 2003