AN ACT Relating to a homicide information and tracking system; adding new sections to chapter 43.10 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that recent developments in the computerization of characteristics found in solved and unsolved homicide cases have important applications for successful homicide investigations. It has been established, through the national center for the analysis of violent crime at the federal bureau of investigation, the homicide information and tracking system at the Washington state attorney general's office, and homicide analysis programs in other states, that the analysis of homicide characteristics has provided valuable assistance in the successful investigation of violent serial crimes.

The legislature further finds that the homicide information and tracking system (HITS), located within the office of the Washington state attorney general, and currently funded by a two-year grant from the United States department of justice, through October 1, 1989, is the only existing homicide information system in the state of Washington. The legislature further recognizes the importance of continuing this necessary service to law enforcement agencies in the state of Washington. The homicide information and tracking system has provided a reliable and expeditious tool for the successful investigation of homicides. It is the purpose of sections 2 through 4 of this act to continue a reasonable and efficient means for the collection, analysis, storage, and use of homicide information in order to provide greater protection of the public, to ensure better use of limited law enforcement resources, and to enhance the administration of justice in the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) To assist law enforcement agencies throughout the state, the attorney general shall continue to operate the homicide information and tracking system. To carry on the operation of the system, the attorney general shall purchase the appropriate equipment and hire the necessary personnel. The attorney general shall procure the most efficient equipment available and hire the most qualified personnel.

(2) The attorney general shall report to the legislature, no later than January 1991, on the homicide information and tracking system, as well as on the feasibility of expanding the system to include the violent crimes of rape, robbery, and arson. The report shall include a local agency financial participation analysis, a systems analysis that includes use of the incident-based reporting system (IBR) of the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs and the criminal information system of the Washington state patrol and a full cost purchase analysis. The attorney general shall coordinate the preparation of this report with the office of financial management, the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, and the Washington state patrol.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) In order to provide adequate safeguards to protect the privacy interests of those affected, the attorney general shall establish specific rules and procedures for the collection, analysis, storage, and use of homicide information.

(2) Any criminal justice agency within the state of Washington having primary responsibility for the investigation of homicide shall provide information about any suspected murder to the attorney general. It is recommended that the agency provide information within thirty days after its discovery or as soon as practical. To minimize the drain on local agency resources, the attorney general shall provide assistance in completing the forms necessary for the homicide information and tracking system. The criminal justice agency shall submit the information in a format that shall contain only information necessary to aid law enforcement personnel in comparing murders and the details of suspected murders. The attorney general shall enter the information into a computerized file maintained and controlled by the attorney general and shall compare the information to other murders or suspected murders, for the purpose of discovering similarities in criminal methods and characteristics. The attorney general shall advise the concerned investigating agencies if murders exhibiting similar methods or characteristics are found.

(3) When an investigating criminal justice agency terminates an active investigation of a suspected murder due to an arrest having been made in the case, the death of the primary offender, or for any other reason, it is recommended that the investigating agency notify the attorney general within thirty days after the termination or as soon as practical. Notification shall include the reason for terminating the active investigation.

(4) It is further recommended that all murders and suspected murders coming under the jurisdiction of each criminal justice agency in the state of Washington that occurred less than one year before the effective date of this act, be reported to the attorney general, as provided in this section, in order to establish a historical data base in conjunction with the current homicide information and tracking system data base.

(5) Any information received or analyzed under sections 2 through 4 of this act shall be used solely for the purpose of providing murder analysis results to criminal justice agencies and for no other purpose.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The attorney general may enter into any contracts and memorandums of agreement with the United States department of justice and any other criminal justice agency for purposes of collection, analysis, and exchange of violent offender information.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 2 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 43.10 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of two hundred fifty-nine thousand dollars is appropriated from the general fund to the attorney general for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, for purposes of carrying out this act.