Brief Description: Providing that no fee may be charged for death certificates of sex offenders supplied to law enforcement agencies.

Sponsors: Representatives O'Brien and Kirby.

Hearing Date: 2/25/03

Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).

Background:

Sex Offender Registration

Any individual who lives in Washington and has committed or been convicted of any sex offense or kidnapping offense must register with the sheriff of the county in which they reside. The individual must provide his or her name; address; date and place of birth; place of employment; the crime for which convicted; aliases used; social security number; a photograph; and fingerprints. This information is sent to the Washington State Patrol to be entered into a central registry of sex offenders and kidnapping offenders. Depending on the offense, the registration requirement may last from ten years to life.

Death Certificates

The Department of Health (Department) maintains the state's system of vital records and statistics in the Center for Health Statistics. The term "vital record" includes all birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, fetal death certificates, and death certificates. The Department is required by statute to charge a $13 fee for certified copies of records and $8 for a search of files when no copy is made.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Health must provide law enforcement agencies with certified copies of death certificates of registered sex offenders at no cost.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.