(1) School districts, educational service districts, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the state school for the blind, and their contractors hiring employees who will have regularly scheduled unsupervised access to children shall require a record check through the Washington state patrol criminal identification system under RCW 43.43.830 through 43.43.834, 10.97.030, and 10.97.050 and through the federal bureau of investigation before hiring an employee. The record check shall include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card. The requesting entity shall provide a copy of the record report to the applicant. When necessary, applicants may be employed on a conditional basis pending completion of the investigation. If the applicant has had a record check within the previous two years, the district, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the state school for the blind, or contractor may waive the requirement. Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the district, pursuant to chapter 41.59 or 41.56 RCW, the Washington state center for childhood deafness and hearing loss, the state school for the blind, or contractor hiring the employee shall determine who shall pay costs associated with the record check.

     (2) Federal bureau of Indian affairs-funded schools may use the process in subsection (1) of this section to perform record checks for their employees and applicants for employment.

[2009 c 381 § 29; 2007 c 35 § 1; 2001 c 296 § 3; 1992 c 159 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Intent -- 2009 c 381: See note following RCW 72.40.015.

     Intent -- 2001 c 296: See note following RCW 9.96A.060.

     Findings -- 1992 c 159: "The legislature finds that additional safeguards are necessary to ensure the safety of Washington's school children. The legislature further finds that the results from state patrol record checks are more complete when fingerprints of individuals are provided, and that information from the federal bureau of investigation also is necessary to obtain information on out-of-state criminal records. The legislature further finds that confidentiality safeguards in state law are in place to ensure that the rights of applicants for certification or jobs and newly hired employees are protected." [1992 c 159 § 1.]

Criminal history record information -- School volunteers: RCW 28A.320.155.