FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1711

PARTIAL VETO

                                  C 357 L 89

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Cole, R. King, Winsley, Jacobsen, Wood, Wang, Patrick, Anderson, Wineberry, Walker and Todd)

Creating a crime prevention employee training program for businesses during late night hours.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Many convenience stores and other businesses remain open 24 hours per day.  Training in robbery prevention and other safety precautions are not required by state law.

SUMMARY:

Businesses making sales to the public between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. must provide crime prevention training to their employees.  The required training is limited to:  (1) providing a training manual developed and distributed by the Department of Labor and Industries or certified by the department; and (2) attendance at a training seminar or video presentation where the video is developed and distributed by the department or certified by the department.

In addition to the crime prevention training, the business must post a conspicuous sign in the window which states (1) that the safe on the premises is not accessible to the employees and (2) that the cash register contains only a minimal amount of cash.  The establishment must also arrange posted material so that the cash register is visible from the street if the cash register is otherwise in a position visible from the street, have a drop-safe or comparable device, and provide night lighting for parking areas.

Violations of the crime prevention training requirements are subject to the penalty provisions and procedures of the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act.  An employer is not subject to penalties (1) for keeping cash in the store that exceeds the minimal amount needed to conduct business or (2) if the employees have been provided with the training manual and have been given written notice of the time, date, and place of the training seminar or video presentation.

Compliance with the crime prevention training program requirements is the sole responsibility of the employer.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 98   0

      Senate    39     6 (Senate amended)

      House 97   0 (House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:January 1, 1990

Partial Veto Summary:  The sections of the bill were vetoed that:  (1) mandated employee crime prevention training and required the development of training manuals and seminars; and (2) that limited employers' penalty liability if employees were provided with a training manual and informed of the training seminar.  The Governor's veto message stated that he would request the Department of Labor and Industries to adopt rules requiring employers to develop appropriate crime prevention training programs.  (See VETO MESSAGE)