The bill amends RCW 43.43.830 to enhance the fingerprint background check process for individuals working with vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Key definitions are updated, including the addition of "volunteer" and "contractor" to the term "applicant," and the inclusion of "care" as a defined term. The bill also introduces a new section that establishes the Washington State Patrol as the repository for criminal history records and outlines the procedures for conducting state and national fingerprint-based criminal history checks for noncriminal justice purposes.

Additionally, the bill mandates that qualified entities and federally recognized tribes must inform applicants of their rights regarding their criminal history records and the process for appealing inaccuracies. It specifies that these entities must maintain signed waivers for each applicant and ensure privacy protections for the information obtained. The Washington State Patrol is tasked with setting fees for processing these checks, and the bill provides liability protections for qualified entities and the state regarding the information obtained under this section.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.43.830
Substitute Bill: 43.43.830
Engrossed Substitute: 43.43.830
Bill as Passed Legislature: 43.43.830
Session Law: 43.43.830