HB 3045
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Creating an identity theft unit within the Washington state patrol.
|
- Creates an Identity Theft Unit within the Washington State Patrol.
|
Hearing Date: 1/28/08
Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841).
Background:
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is a general authority Washington law enforcement agency
that has its primary function the detection and apprehension of persons committing infractions or
violating the traffic or criminal laws in general, as distinguished from a limited authority
Washington law enforcement agency. Peace officers completing the basic law enforcement
training and employed by the WSP are commissioned to enforce the criminal laws of
Washington.
The WSP is made up of the following six main bureaus:
- Field Operations Bureau: The Field Operations Bureau is comprised of eight districts and
the Commercial Vehicle Division. The Field Operations Bureau is primarily responsible for
traffic law enforcement, collision investigation, and motorist assists on the state and
interstate highways. The Commercial Vehicle Division is responsible for the enforcement of
commercial motor vehicle regulations.
- Fire Protection Bureau: The Office of the State Fire Marshal, Fire Protection Bureau,
provides services to fire districts, government agencies, members of the media, and the
general public. These services include: fire incident reporting and data collection, fire code
review and adoption, construction plan reviews for fire sprinkler and alarm systems, and fire
inspections of high risk occupancies housing elderly and vulnerable populations. In addition,
the Fire Protection Bureau regulates the fireworks and sprinkler industry through a licensing
program.
- Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau: The Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau (FLSB)
provides a wide range of forensic science expertise to city, county, and state law enforcement
officers, assisting agencies at crime scenes, preparing evidence for trial, and providing expert
testimony. The FLSB coordinates the efforts of the State's Breath Alcohol Test Program, the
Drug Evaluation and Classification Program, six crime laboratories, the Latent Print
Laboratory, and the State Toxicology Laboratory.
- Investigative Services Bureau: The Investigative Services Bureau consists of five divisions
that provide various public services, including: vessel and terminal safety; narcotics
investigation and dismantling of clandestine labs; fatality, criminal, and missing children
investigations; computer forensics; organized crime intelligence; and public records and
records retention.
- Management Services Bureau: The Management Services Bureau oversees Budget and
Fiscal Services, the Property Management Division, and the Risk Management Division.
- Technical Services Bureau: The Technical Services Bureau provides support services and
technical systems that the WSP troopers and all other criminal justice officials use on a daily
basis. Divisions reporting to the Technical Services Bureau include: the Communications
Division, the Criminal Records Division, the Electronic Services Division, the Information
Technology Division, and the Property Management Division.
Summary of Bill:
An Identity Theft Unit (unit) is created in the WSP with a total of four state patrol officers
dedicated to the unit. The Chief of the WSP may organized the unit at his or her discretion;
however, the unit must be responsible for investigating all identity theft cases and any identity
theft case that may be in relation to, but not limited to, theft, forgery, cyber crimes, fraud, or
criminal impersonation. The unit must assist local jurisdictions in the investigation of identity
theft crimes that cross jurisdictional lines or require specialized technical skills.
The unit must study and develop a plan for an effective statewide unit for identity theft to be
funded in the 2009-2011 biennium and report its findings to the Legislature by December 31,
2008.
A total of $300,000 is appropriated to the WSP for purposes of establishing the unit.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 22, 2008.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is
passed.