SB 5606-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Revises provisions relating to making the background check requirements for department of social and health services' employees consistent with background check requirements for service providers, agencies, and entities serving vulnerable adults and children.

     Declares that chapter 9.96A RCW is not applicable to the department of social and health services when employing a person, who in the course of his or her employment, has or may have unsupervised access to any person who is under the age of eighteen, who is under the age of twenty-one and has been sentenced to a term of confinement under the supervision of the department of social and health services under chapter 13.40 RCW, who is a vulnerable adult under chapter 74.34 RCW, or who is a vulnerable person.  For purposes of this section, "vulnerable person" means an adult of any age who lacks the functional, mental, or physical ability to care for himself or herself.

     Provides that the state school for the deaf and the state school for the blind shall require a record check through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system under RCW 43.43.830 through 43.43.834, 10.97.030, and 10.97.050 and through the federal bureau of investigation before hiring an employee.

     Authorizes the state school for the deaf and the state school for the blind to adopt rules to implement this act.

     Requires the board to amend any existing rules established under RCW 41.06.475 and adopt rules developed in cooperation and agreement with the department of social and health services to implement the provisions of this act.

     Requires the personnel resources board to develop policy recommendations addressing the action that will be taken if a background check result disqualifies an employee from his or her current position.  A report of the recommendations developed must be delivered to the legislature by December 1, 2001.