HB 2472 - DIGEST

Declares that it is the purpose of this act to create a new department of public safety to provide integrated, efficient, and appropriate public safety services to the citizens of the state. To effectuate this purpose, all powers, duties, and functions provided by the Washington state patrol will be administered through the department of public safety, which will consist of the Washington state patrol, the bureau of fire protection, and the newly formed Washington bureau of investigation.

Provides that the Washington state patrol will be restructured to have as its core mission public safety on the state's roadways through enforcement of the traffic laws, commercial vehicle laws, vehicle collision investigations, and motorist assistance.

Provides that the bureau of fire protection will perform its functions under the department of public safety rather than under the state patrol. The Washington bureau of investigation will be created as a division of the department of public safety to serve as a comprehensive state investigative agency with jurisdiction to investigate crimes relating to organized crime activities, drug law violations, and identity theft, and to assist local jurisdictions, at their request, in the investigation of any crime. In addition, the Washington bureau of investigation will maintain and operate the state's forensic laboratory services and criminal justice information services.