Brief Description: Requiring criminal background checks on certain prospective state employees.

Sponsors: Representatives Roach, Haler, McCune, Woods, Holmquist, Dunn, Hudgins, McDonald and Ericks.

Hearing Date: 1/27/06

Staff: Kathryn Leathers (786-7114).

Background:

State civil service law and other statutes require that successful applicants for certain types of state employment must pass a criminal background check. In general, a criminal background check is required of all persons being considered for positions directly responsible for the supervision, care, or treatment of children, vulnerable adults, or developmentally disabled persons.

A criminal background check involves review of a person's criminal history record information. "Criminal history record information" includes information on arrests, detentions, indictments, information, or other formal criminal charges, and any disposition arising from those charges, such as guilty verdicts, acquittals, acquittals by reason of insanity, dismissals based on lack of competency, sentences, correctional supervision, and release. It does not include records regarding traffic infractions.

Summary of Bill:

As a precondition of employment, persons being considered for state employment in positions that allow access to a resident's "personally identifying information" must successfully pass a criminal background check.

"Personally identifying information" is defined to mean a person's social security number, driver's license number, bank account number, credit or debit card number, personal identification number, automated or electronic signature, unique biometric data, account passwords, or any other piece of information that can be used to access a person's financial accounts or to obtain goods or services.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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