(1) The department of licensing shall have the general
supervision and control of the issuing of vehicle licenses and
vehicle license number plates and shall have the full power to do
all things necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of
the law relating to the licensing of vehicles; the director shall
have the power to appoint and employ deputies, assistants and
representatives, and such clerks as may be required from time to
time, and to provide for their operation in different parts of
the state, and the director shall have the power to appoint the
county auditors of the several counties as the director's agents
for the licensing of vehicles.
(2)(a) The director shall investigate the conviction records
and pending charges of any current employee of or prospective
employee being considered for any position with the department
that has or will have:
(i) The ability to create or modify records of applicants
for enhanced drivers' licenses and identicards issued under RCW 46.20.202; and
(ii) The ability to issue enhanced drivers' licenses and
identicards under RCW 46.20.202.
(b) The investigation consists of a background check as
authorized under RCW 10.97.050, 43.43.833, and 43.43.834, and the
federal bureau of investigation. The background check must be
conducted through the Washington state patrol criminal
identification section and may include a national check from the
federal bureau of investigation, which is through the submission
of fingerprints. The director shall use the information solely
to determine the character, suitability, and competence of
current or prospective employees subject to this section.
(c) The director shall investigate the conviction records
and pending charges of an employee subject to this subsection
every five years.
(d) Criminal justice agencies shall provide the director
with information that they may possess and that the director may
require solely to determine the employment suitability of current
or prospective employees subject to this section.
[2009 c 169 § 1; 1979 c 158 § 121; 1973 c 103 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 231 § 8; 1965 c 156 § 13; 1961 c 12 § 46.08.090. Prior: 1937 c 188 § 26; RRS § 6312-26; prior: 1921 c 96 § 3, part; 1917 c 155 § 2, part; 1915 c 142 § 3, part. Formerly RCW 46.08.090.]
NOTES:
Severability -- 1973 c 103: "If any provision of this 1973 amendatory act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act, or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1973 c 103 § 9.]
Effective date -- 1971 ex.s. c 231: "(1) Sections 1 through 7
of this 1971 amendatory act shall take effect on January 1, 1972.
(2) Sections 8 through 23 of this 1971 amendatory act shall
take effect on January 1, 1973." [1971 ex.s. c 231 § 24.]