HB 3281 - DIGEST

Finds that many businesses, associations, and organizations providing goods and services to the public or conducting other activity in Washington, or otherwise affecting residents of Washington now operate nationally or globally and often maintain their business records in a location outside the state of Washington.

Declares that the ability of law enforcement and the criminal justice system to effectively perform their duties to the public often depends upon law enforcement, prosecutors, and criminal defense attorneys being able to obtain and use records relevant to crimes that affect Washington's citizens, businesses, associations, organizations, and others who provide goods or services, or conduct other activity in Washington.

Declares that effectively combating crime requires laws facilitating and requiring that all those who possess records relevant to a criminal investigation comply with the legal process issued in connection with criminal investigations or litigation.