BILL REQ. #:  H-0601.1 

Read first time 01/16/2003.   Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to creating a risk management unit within the department of corrections; and adding a new section to chapter 72.09 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 72.09 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) There is hereby created a risk management unit within the department. The secretary shall appoint a risk manager to supervise the risk management unit.
     (2) The risk management unit shall:
     (a) Identify liability and property risk that may have a significant economic impact on the department;
     (b) Evaluate existing loss control programs within the department as appropriate to suggest improvements and recognize successful safety policies and procedures;
     (c) Identify new methods to eliminate or improve conditions and practices that contribute to loss whenever practical;
     (d) Identify methods to assist the department to meet the requirements for insurance coverage or service; and
     (e) Maintain loss history information for the purpose of identifying and analyzing risk exposures.
     (3) The risk management unit shall continually report its findings to the secretary and make recommendations to the secretary on the application of prudent safety, security, loss prevention, and loss minimization methods so as to reduce or avoid risk or loss.
     (4) When carrying out its duties under this section, the risk management unit may consult with the risk management division within the office of financial management established in RCW 43.41.300.