Title: An act relating to the joint task force on criminal background check processes.

Brief Description: Extending and adding a member to the joint task force on criminal background check processes.

Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Brandland, Hargrove and Stevens.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/31/05, 2/21/05 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5554 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Hargrove, Chair; Regala, Vice Chair; Stevens, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, McAuliffe and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Kiki Keizer (786-7430)

Background: The Joint Task Force on Criminal Background Check Processes (Task Force) was created by the passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2556 during the 2004 legislative session. The legislation required the Task Force to review and make recommendations regarding how to improve the state's criminal background check processes. The legislation also required the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

The Task Force held six public meetings in 2004, and made five recommendations. One of the Task Force's recommendations was to expand the membership and extend the life of the Task Force in order to consider matters that were raised at the 2004 meetings of the Task Force but that require further analysis and discussion.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The membership of the Task Force is expanded to include a representative from a for-profit entity that primarily serves children or vulnerable adults and, as a nonvoting ex officio member, a representative of an organization that serves as a clearinghouse for other nonprofit organizations in the state and that recruits volunteers and trains nonprofit boards of directors.

The Task Force is authorized to continue its work until December 31, 2005, at which time it will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The membership of the Task Force is expanded to include, as a nonvoting ex officio member, a representative of an organization that serves as a clearinghouse for other nonprofit organizations in the state and that recruits volunteers and trains nonprofit boards of directors.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Task Force is doing good work. The United Way of King County believes it could be helpful in developing recommendations, as the Task Force's work continues.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Remy Trupin, United Way of King County.