Brief Description: Regulating storage of sex offender records.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Pearson and Darneille).

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections
Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

Background:

Records of investigative reports prepared by law enforcement pertaining to sex offenders are transferred to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) for permanent electronic retention and retrieval once the records are no longer needed by law enforcement or for judicial proceedings. The WASPC is permitted to destroy the paper record if an electronic copy is made. Once a record is transferred in this manner, the record is no longer considered a public record and is exempt from public disclosure. Such records may only be disclosed to criminal justice agencies to determine if a sex offender meets the criteria of a sexually violent predator.

Summary:

If a record transferred to the WASPC for permanent retention is sealed at the time of transfer or becomes sealed after the transfer, it must be retained in a way that ensures the record is clearly marked as sealed. Records marked as sealed are only accessible to: (1) criminal justice agencies that would otherwise have access to a sealed copy of the document; (2) the end-of-sentence review committee for the purpose of end-of-sentence review for sex offenders; and (3) system administrators for the purpose of system administration and maintenance. The WASPC is permitted to destroy paper and electronic records of any offender verified as deceased.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   89   0
Senate   41   0

Effective: July 24, 2005