FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 1794

C 146 L 17

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the death investigations account.

Sponsors: Representatives Klippert and Jinkins.

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Background:

Death Investigations Account.

The Death Investigations Account (DIA) is an appropriated account that funds various activities related to investigations of deaths in the state. The DIA is funded with revenues from a fee charged by the Department of Health and local registrars for providing certified copies of various records such as birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce records, and others. Moneys in the DIA are appropriated to the following:

• the Toxicology Laboratory;

• the counties for the cost of performing autopsies;

• the Washington State Patrol for the state dental identification system;

• the Criminal Justice Training Commission for training county coroners, medical examiners, and their staff; and

• the Forensic Investigations Council.

Forensic Investigations Council.

The Forensic Investigations Council (FIC) is a 13-member council responsible for oversight of the Bureau of Forensic Laboratory Services. The council's members are selected from a variety of county, city, and state officials and are appointed by the Governor. In addition to other duties, the FIC is permitted to authorize various expenditures from the DIA, including the following:

• up to $250,000 per biennium for assisting local jurisdictions in the investigation of multiple deaths involving unanticipated or extraordinary events, or involving multiple jurisdictions; and

• up to $25,000 per biennium for assisting local jurisdictions in securing forensic anthropology services or other testing in order to identify human remains.

Summary:

The FIC may authorize expenditures from the DIA for the purpose of funding a statewide case management system for coroners and medical examiners.

Votes on Final Passage: