SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6094
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of January 27, 2014
Title: An act relating to the use of jail data for research purposes in the public interest.
Brief Description: Authorizing the use of jail data for research purposes in the public interest.
Sponsors: Senator Hargrove.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Human Services & Corrections: 1/20/14.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & CORRECTIONS |
Staff: Kevin Black (786-7747)
Background: A jail must maintain a jail register, open to the public, containing the name of each person confined in jail and the hour, date, and cause of the confinement. All other jail records must be held in confidence, and made available only to criminal justice agencies that perform activities directly relating to the apprehension, prosecution, adjudication, or rehabilitation of criminal offenders. Jail records pertaining to an individual may be released upon written permission of the person. Booking photographs may be used to assist in criminal investigations.
Summary of Bill: Records of persons confined in jail may be released to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, or to the Washington State Institute for Public Policy, the Research and Data Analysis Division of the Department of Social and Health Services, higher education institutions of Washington State, or the Washington State Health Care Authority for the purpose of research in the public interest. Data disclosed for research purposes must comply with relevant state and federal statutes.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: We administer the jail data system for the state and we have received requests from time to time from research institutions to access this data. We support this bill.
OTHER: Please add the State Auditor's Office to this bill. We use data matching to test for improper payments in other state systems.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Mitch Barker, WA Assn. of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs.
OTHER: Matt Miller, Chuck Pfeil, State Auditor's Office.