Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 2259

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.

Brief Description: Expanding background check requirements for certain educational institutions.

Sponsors: Representatives Rude, Leavitt and Thai; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Requires a criminal history record check before certain education entities may hire an employee who receives criminal history record information or personally identifiable information in another employee's record check.

Hearing Date: 1/20/20

Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).

Background:

Before hiring an employee who will have regularly scheduled unsupervised access to children or persons with developmental disabilities, the following entities must require a record check that includes a fingerprint check through the Washington State Patrol Criminal Identification System and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (record check): school districts, educational service districts, the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY), the State School for the Blind (WSSB), and their contractors.

If the applicant has had a record check within the previous two years, the requesting entity may waive the requirement for a record check. The entity hiring the employee determines who pays costs associated with the record check.

Summary of Bill:

School districts, educational service districts, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), CDHY, the WSSB, and their contractors must require a record check before hiring an employee who receives criminal history record information or personally identifiable information from the record check.

The OSPI is also added to the list of entities that: must require a record check before hiring an employee who will have regularly scheduled unsupervised access to children or persons with developmental disabilities; may waive this requirement if the applicant has had a record check within the previous two years; and have discretion about who pays costs associated with the record check.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2020.

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