Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Government Operations & Elections Committee

SSB 6094

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: Authorizing the use of jail data for research purposes in the public interest.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senator Hargrove).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

  • Allows the records of a person confined in jail to be released to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the Research and Data Analysis Division of the Department of Social and Health Services, higher education institutions of Washington, the Washington State Health Care Authority, the State Auditor's Office, the Caseload Forecast Council, and the Office of Financial Management.

Hearing Date: 2/19/14

Staff: Amanda Ondrick (786-7296) and Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

Each city and county jail located in Washington is required to maintain a jail register, which is open to the public. The law enforcement officer who is charged with being responsible for the operation of the jail must enter, on a timely basis, the name of each person held in confinement, the reason for confinement, when the person was confined, and the time, date, and manner in which the person was discharged. Generally, all other records regarding a person confined in jail are confidential and may only be released to a criminal justice agency or upon the written consent of the person being confined. Law enforcement may use the booking photographs of a person arrested and confined in a jail or prison to assist in conducting criminal investigations.

Summary of Bill:

Records of a person confined in jail may be released to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs. Records are also available, for the purpose of research within the public interest, to the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the Research and Data Analysis Division of the Department of Social and Health Services, higher education institutions of Washington, the Washington State Health Care Authority, the State Auditor's Office, the Caseload Forecast Council, and the Office of Financial Management.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.