SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6537

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.

As Passed Senate, February 12, 2020

Title: An act relating to the membership of the criminal justice training commission.

Brief Description: Concerning the membership of the criminal justice training commission.

Sponsors: Senators McCoy, Hasegawa, Dhingra and Wilson, C.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Law & Justice: 2/04/20, 2/06/20 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/12/20, 46-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Adds an additional public member to the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) for a total of 15 members.

  • Requires one CJTC public member from east of the Cascade mountains and one public member from west of the Cascade mountains.

  • Requires one of the public members to be from an historically underrepresented community or communities.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Pedersen, Chair; Dhingra, Vice Chair; Padden, Ranking Member; Holy, Kuderer, Salomon and Wilson, L..

Staff: Melissa Burke-Cain (786-7755)

Background: The Legislature established the CJTC in 1974 to provide programs and standards for training criminal justice personnel. The CJTC provides training for peace officers and local corrections officers. The CJTC also certifies, and when necessary decertifies peace officers. Washington is one of only a few states that provides a statewide basic peace officer training at the Criminal Justice Training Center and determines the training standards. The Governor appoints the 14 member CJTC. The attorney general, special agent in charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Seattle office, and the chief of the Washington State Patrol are CJTC members.

Summary of Bill: An additional public member is added to the CJTC, for a total of two public members and 15 total members. The Governor appoints the members of the CJTC. One of the public members must be from east of the Cascade mountains, and one member must be from west of the Cascade mountains. One of the public members must be from an historically underrepresented community or communities.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: With the growing interaction of minority communities around the state, this bill is a good idea. It is a commitment by the CJTC to minorities. Even the toughest questions can be asked. Having a community member on the committee will build trust.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator John McCoy, Prime Sponsor; Derek Zable, Criminal Justice Training Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.