BILL REQ. #:  H-0850.2 

Read first time 01/21/09.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     AN ACT Relating to a volunteer chaplain for the department of fish and wildlife; and amending RCW 77.15.075 and 41.22.020.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1   RCW 77.15.075 and 2003 c 388 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) Fish and wildlife officers and ex officio fish and wildlife officers shall enforce this title, rules of the department, and other statutes as prescribed by the legislature. Fish and wildlife officers who are not ex officio officers shall have and exercise, throughout the state, such police powers and duties as are vested in sheriffs and peace officers generally. An applicant for a fish and wildlife officer position must be a citizen of the United States of America who can read and write the English language. All fish and wildlife officers employed after June 13, 2002, must successfully complete the basic law enforcement academy course, known as the basic course, sponsored by the criminal justice training commission, or the basic law enforcement equivalency certification, known as the equivalency course, provided by the criminal justice training commission. All officers employed on June 13, 2002, must have successfully completed the basic course, the equivalency course, or the supplemental course in criminal law enforcement, known as the supplemental course, offered under chapter 155, Laws of 1985. Any officer who has not successfully completed the basic course, the equivalency course, or the supplemental course must complete the basic course or the equivalency course within fifteen months of June 13, 2002.
     (2) Fish and wildlife officers are peace officers.
     (3) Any liability or claim of liability under chapter 4.92 RCW that arises out of the exercise or alleged exercise of authority by a fish and wildlife officer rests with the department unless the fish and wildlife officer acts under the direction and control of another agency or unless the liability is otherwise assumed under an agreement between the department and another agency.
     (4) Fish and wildlife officers may serve and execute warrants and processes issued by the courts.
     (5) The department may utilize the services of a volunteer chaplain as provided under chapter 41.22 RCW.

Sec. 2   RCW 41.22.020 and 1985 c 223 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The Washington state patrol and the department of fish and wildlife may utilize the services of a volunteer chaplain.