Brief Description: Limiting the imposition of booking fees.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien, Pearson, Darneille and Hinkle.

Hearing Date: 1/30/04

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).

Background:

Municipalities and counties are authorized to require any person who is booked in a county, municipal, or regional jail to pay a booking fee to the sheriff's department or police chief's department where the jail is located. The defendant must pay the actual cost incurred for his or her booking or $100, whichever is less. The fee is payable immediately from any money currently in the person's possession or from any money deposited with the sheriff's department or city jail administration on the person's behalf. If the person does not have any money in his or her current possession, then the sheriff or police chief 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 of Bill:

Counties, cities, and regional jails are prohibited from charging a booking fee to contracting entities if, they have already collected or intend to collect a booking fee from a defendant who has been booked in its jail.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 20, 2004.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.