BILL REQ. #:  S-3749.1 

Read first time 01/20/2004.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to fire fighter record checks; adding a new section to chapter 41.08 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 52.30 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 41.08 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) For all paid or volunteer fire fighters that may, in the course of their work or volunteer activity for a city, have access to the home or property of another person, cities shall require a record check through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system under RCW 43.43.830 through 43.43.834, 10.97.030, and 10.97.050 and through the federal bureau of investigation before hiring an employee or accepting a volunteer. The record check shall include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card. The requesting entity shall provide a copy of the record report to the applicant or volunteer. When necessary, as determined by the city, applicants and volunteers may be employed on a conditional basis pending completion of the investigation. If the applicant has had a record check within the previous twelve months, the city may waive the requirement upon receiving a copy of the record from the applicant or volunteer. The city may in its discretion require that the applicant or volunteer pay the costs associated with the record check.
     (2) Record checks shall not be required of persons who are paid or volunteer fire fighters of the city prior to the effective date of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 52.30 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) For all employees or volunteers that may, in the course of their work or volunteer activity with the district, have access to the home or property of another person, fire protection districts shall require a record check through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system under RCW 43.43.830 through 43.43.834, 10.97.030, and 10.97.050 and through the federal bureau of investigation before hiring an employee or accepting a volunteer. The record check shall include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card. The requesting entity shall provide a copy of the record report to the applicant or volunteer. When necessary, as determined by the fire protection district, applicants and volunteers may be employed on a conditional basis pending completion of the investigation. If the applicant has had a record check within the previous twelve months, the fire protection district may waive the requirement upon receiving a copy of the record from the applicant or volunteer. The fire protection district may in its discretion require that the applicant or volunteer pay the costs associated with the record check.
     (2) Record checks shall not be required of persons who are paid or volunteer fire fighters of the fire protection district prior to the effective date of this act.