Title: An act relating to a record check of a metropolitan park district's job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors.

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

Sponsors: Representatives Darneille, Walsh, Springer and Simpson.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/08/06, 97-1.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 2/22/06, 2/23/06 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Roach, Ranking Minority Member; Benton, Fairley, Haugen, Kline, McCaslin and Mulliken.

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: Metropolitan park districts currently do not have express authority to require a criminal record check for prospective employees, volunteers, or contractors and are concerned about the possibility of putting at risk children and vulnerable adults whom they serve and believe that background checks help identify people who have a record of improper conduct in the past. As political subdivisions of the state, metropolitan park districts do not have inherent powers and need express statutory authority.

Summary of Bill: Metropolitan park districts must adopt requirements for criminal record checks for job applicants, volunteers, and independent contractors who have unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults or who handle money or credit card payments. The checks will be done through the State Patrol using fingerprints. Current permanent employees are exempt from this requirement.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: None.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: No one.