FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1727

C 272 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Providing that no fee may be charged for death certificates of sex offenders supplied to law enforcement agencies.

Sponsors: By Representatives O'Brien and Kirby.

House Committee on Health Care

Senate Committee on Children & Family Services & Corrections

Background:

Sex Offender Registration. Any individual who lives in Washington and has committed or been convicted of any sex offense or kidnapping offense must register with the sheriff of the county in which they reside. The individual must provide his or her name, address, date of birth, place of birth, place of employment, the crime for which convicted, aliases used, social security number, a photograph, and fingerprints. This information is sent to the Washington State Patrol to be entered into a central registry of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders. Depending on the offense, the registration requirement may last from 10 years to life.

Death Certificates. The Department of Health (Department) maintains the state's system of vital records and statistics in the Center for Health Statistics. The term "vital record" includes all birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, fetal death certificates, and death certificates. The Department is required by statute to charge a $13 fee for certified copies of records and $8 for a search of files when no copy is made.

Summary:

The Department of Health must provide law enforcement agencies with certified copies of death certificates of registered sex offenders at no cost.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 96  0

Senate 47  0

Effective: July 27, 2003