Brief Description: Extending the joint task force on criminal background check processes.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Brandland, McAuliffe, Hargrove, Rockefeller, Shin, Rasmussen, Schmidt and Stevens).

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

Background: Criminal history record information background checks are conducted for employment and licensing decisions and many other purposes related to the security of persons and property. In 2004, the Washington State Legislature passed ESHB 2556 (Chapter 41 of the Laws of 2004). This bill created a Joint Task Force on Criminal Background Check Processes to make recommendations to the Legislature and the Governor regarding how to improve the state's criminal background check processes. In 2005, the Legislature passed SHB 1681 (Chapter 452 of the Laws of 2005) which extended the work of the task force through the end of 2005.

The task force held six public meetings in 2004 and made recommendations. In 2005, the task force once again held six public meetings and made six recommendations to be addressed in the 2006 legislative session, including extending the work of the task force for one additional year. In addition to the recommendations for the 2006 legislative session, the task force also identified two long-term objectives.

Summary: The statute creating the task force is extended for an additional year. A representative of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is added to the membership of the task force. The task force is authorized to continue its work until December 31, 2006, at which time it must report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   0
House      98   0

Effective: June 7, 2006