Brief Description: Creating a statewide justice information network.

Sponsors: Representatives Ruderman, Anderson, Sullivan, Miloscia, Schual-Berke, Conway, O'Brien and Lovick.

Hearing Date: 2/12/03

Staff: Matt Cooper (786-7106).

Background:

State and local government criminal justice entities store and track the justice information they generate. This information is entered into systems that allow law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and corrections officials access to justice information for background checks. There is no single source for statewide criminal justice information.

Justice information is stored on several different systems. Law enforcement and criminal justice entities search these systems to obtain criminal background and justice information on individuals. A complete, state-wide justice information check requires separate searches of each individual system.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington Integrated Justice Information Board (Board) is established to plan and develop a statewide justice information network.

The Board is composed of 22 members from law enforcement, local government, the courts, the legislature and the executive branch. The Board will coordinate and facilitate the development of an automated, single source for justice information that will deliver complete, accurate and timely justice information.

The Board will report to the Governor, the Supreme Court, and the Legislature by September 1, 2004, (and at least every two years thereafter) with recommendations for changes and appropriations necessary to establish this system.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.