BILL REQ. #:  S-4656.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/09/04.   

     AN ACT Relating to fire fighter record checks; adding a new section to chapter 41.08 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 52.30 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 41.08 RCW to read as follows:
     For all paid or volunteer fire fighters, hired or appointed after the effective date of this act, that may, in the course of their work or volunteer activity for a city or town, have access to the home or property of another person, cities and towns 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 or accepting a volunteer. The record check shall include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card. The requesting entity shall provide a copy of the record report to the applicant or volunteer. When necessary, as determined by the city or town, applicants and volunteers may be employed on a conditional basis pending completion of the investigation. If the applicant has had a record check within the previous twelve months, the city or town may waive the requirement upon receiving a copy of the record from the applicant or volunteer. The city or town may in its discretion require that the applicant or volunteer pay the costs associated with the record check.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 52.30 RCW to read as follows:
     For all employees or volunteers, hired or appointed after the effective date of this act, that may, in the course of their work or volunteer activity with the district, have access to the home or property of another person, fire protection districts 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 or accepting a volunteer. The record check shall include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card. The requesting entity shall provide a copy of the record report to the applicant or volunteer. When necessary, as determined by the fire protection district, applicants and volunteers may be employed on a conditional basis pending completion of the investigation. If the applicant has had a record check within the previous twelve months, the fire protection district may waive the requirement upon receiving a copy of the record from the applicant or volunteer. The fire protection district may in its discretion require that the applicant or volunteer pay the costs associated with the record check.