Title: An act relating to a record check of the parks and recreation commission's job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors.

Brief Description: Requiring the parks and recreation commission to have a record check performed on certain job applicants.

Sponsors: House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives O'Brien, Pearson and Darneille; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/08/05, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 3/24/05, 3/28/05 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means: 3/31/05, 4/1/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Morton, Spanel and Swecker.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Fairley, Hewitt, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, Pflug, Pridemore, Rasmussen, Regala, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Kirstan Arestad (786-7708)

Background: The Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) does not have the express authority to require a complete record check for prospective employees, volunteers, or contractors.

Government agencies and other employees are concerned that children and vulnerable adults could potentially be victimized by someone who is an employee, volunteer, or contractor of the agency or employer. Background checks of these prospective employees, volunteers, and contractors could help identify people who have had a record of improper conduct in the past.

Summary of Bill: The Parks and Recreation Commission must adopt rules establishing criminal history record information searches and fingerprinting for certain employees. The affected individuals are applicants, volunteers, and contractors with unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults; who collect or disburse cash; or who process credit or debit card transactions. The record checks will be done through the State Patrol criminal identification section and may include a national check from the FBI. Permanent employees of the Commission, employed as of the effective date of this bill, are exempt from the record check requirement.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): Currently, the Parks and Recreation Commission does not have the authority to require background checks for employees, contractors, or volunteers who will be dealing with children as part of their jobs. Nor do they have the authority to require background checks for those who will be handling monetary transactions. The goal of the bill is to protect vulnerable populations and to ensure that financial transactions are conducted securely. This bill is a preventative measure to avoid future problems.

Testimony Against (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): None.

Who Testified (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): PRO: Representative O'Brien, prime sponsor; Fred Romero, Parks and Recreation Commission.

Testimony For (Ways & Means): This bill is preventative in protecting children and vulnerable adults. Currently, the Commission does not have the authority to conduct background checks.

Testimony Against (Ways & Means): None.

Who Testified (Ways & Means): PRO: Representative Blake; Fred Romero, Parks and Recreation Commission.