Brief Description: Concerning background checks of metropolitan park district employees.

Sponsors: Representatives Darneille, Walsh, Springer and Simpson.

Hearing Date: 1/23/06

Staff: Stephanie Toby (786-7106).

Background:

A metropolitan park district manages, controls, improves, maintains, and acquires parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities. The board of park commissioners consists of five members who have a variety of powers to manage the district.

In 1987, the Legislature authorized the Washington State Patrol Criminal Identification System (WSPCIS) to provide background information on prospective employees and volunteers to businesses and organizations that provide services to children or developmentally disabled persons.

Criminal history record information includes information on arrests, detentions, indictments, informations, or other formal criminal charges, and any disposition arising from those charges, including guilty verdicts, acquittals, and sentences.

Summary of Bill:

The board of park commissioners is required to adopt rules for a criminal history record information search of the following:

• metropolitan park district (district) job applicants;
• volunteers; and
• independent contractors who will either have access to children or vulnerable adults while unsupervised, or who will be responsible for monetary transactions.

The background checks will be processed through the WSPCIS, and may include the submission of fingerprints to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national check. Current permanent employees of the district are exempt from these requirements.

The term "park policemen" is changed to "park police."

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 18, 2006.

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