H-2110              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1213

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Fuhrman, Ferguson and Barnes

Read first time 3/16/87 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to background investigations of persons involved with minor children; adding a new chapter to Title 70 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, morals, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     A person, agency, or organization responsible for the hiring of employees or volunteers in occupations and professions involving contact with minor children shall perform a background investigation of all persons being considered for hire in such occupations or professions.

          The investigation shall include an examination of state and national criminal data systems for conviction records and pending charges or investigations involving any criminal sexual behavior and of state and national agencies, such as the department of social and health services, which keep records of those persons committing or reported to have committed sexual abuse of minor children and other at-risk persons.  State and local criminal justice agencies and social and health agencies shall provide such information as they may have to any person or agency investigating the character and suitability of a person being considered for hire.

          All information held or released under this section shall remain strictly confidential, and persons or agencies holding or releasing any information shall insure that the information is not disseminated or released to any other person or agency not acting within the scope and purpose of this section and with no need to know the contents of the information.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     Section 2 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 70 RCW.