SHB 1736
In CommitteeHouse
Missing persons
Concerning procedures and requirements for reporting and investigating missing persons.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill updates how Washington handles missing persons cases by requiring standardized reporting, DNA and dental record collection, and public access to missing persons information through a new statewide website. It also replaces outdated laws with modernized procedures for law enforcement and public coordination.
- Requires law enforcement to submit missing person reports, DNA samples (with consent), and dental records to the Washington State Patrol Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit within 30 days or earlier if criminal activity is suspected.
- Mandates that local law enforcement enter missing person information into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system via the State Patrol’s database.
- Creates a new statewide missing persons website accessible to the public, displaying names, photos, descriptions, and other relevant details for at least 30 days.
- Requires the State Patrol to share missing persons data with the national missing and unidentified persons system (when funding is available) and integrate with local agencies, a 24-hour hotline, and other clearinghouses.
- Repeals outdated laws (RCW 36.28A.110, .112, and .120) that previously governed missing persons reporting and website functions, replacing them with updated procedures.
Who is affected
- Local and state law enforcement agencies — Law enforcement agencies (sheriffs, police departments, etc.) must now follow standardized procedures for reporting and investigating missing persons, including submitting DNA samples, dental records, and entering cases into state and national databases within specific timeframes.
- Families and next of kin of missing persons — Families and next of kin of missing persons may be asked to provide consent for DNA and dental record collection, and may be contacted if they cannot be located or refuse consent under specific conditions.
- Dentists and dental offices — Dentists must provide dental records to the Washington State Patrol when requested with proper consent or under limited circumstances (e.g., family unreachable or uncooperative).
- General public — The general public gains access to a new statewide website with information about missing persons, helping raise awareness and assist in locating missing individuals.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
The creation of a publicly accessible, standardized missing persons website—requiring timely entry into NCIC and integration with national systems—will significantly improve coordination, awareness, and identification capacity, directly increasing the odds of locating missing persons quickly and safely.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1) (statewide missing persons website), Sec. 1 (DNA and dental record collection for identification)Standardizing and mandating timely reporting (including DNA and dental records) closes critical gaps in current procedures—especially in cases where delays have historically hindered investigations—making the system more reliable and reducing the risk of missed leads.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (30-day reporting and criminal-suspicion trigger), Sec. 2(4) (local agencies must enter data “without delay”)Mandating data sharing with national systems and establishing interfaces with 24-hour hotlines and clearinghouses will improve cross-jurisdictional coordination, especially for cases involving interstate travel or transient populations—directly benefiting families and first responders.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2) (transmission to national system), Sec. 2(3) (integration with hotline and clearinghouses)The bill improves healthcare and forensic coordination by ensuring dental records—often critical for identifying remains—are systematically collected and shared, reducing reliance on less reliable methods and supporting timely identification in tragic cases.
HealthcarePeopleRef: Sec. 1 (consent-based dental record request, with narrow exceptions)The public website empowers community members to assist in searches—leveraging grassroots networks and social media to amplify reach—potentially accelerating case resolution, especially for cases that receive limited media attention.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 2(1) (public website with 30-day minimum display)
Potential Concerns (4)
The bill permits law enforcement to obtain dental records without explicit family consent in limited circumstances—including when next of kin “refuse to consent” and there is reason to believe they may have been involved in the disappearance—potentially eroding familial control over sensitive biometric data and expanding state access to medical records without judicial oversight.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (dental records provision, including consent and limited exceptions)While DNA and dental record collection requires consent, the bill does not specify penalties for noncompliance or mechanisms to ensure informed, voluntary consent—raising concerns about coercion or misunderstanding, especially among vulnerable families under stress.
Rights & LibertiesLean peopleRef: Sec. 1 (DNA collection requirement with consent), Sec. 2(1) (public website)The bill imposes new operational and administrative burdens on local law enforcement agencies (e.g., submitting reports, collecting samples, entering data into NCIC), which may strain already limited resources—particularly in rural or underfunded jurisdictions—without guaranteed state reimbursement.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Fiscal Impact section (requires additional resources for WSP)Dentists and dental offices are required to provide records upon request, but the bill lacks clear timelines, cost-reimbursement provisions, or privacy safeguards for how records are stored/shared—potentially increasing administrative burden and liability risk for small dental practices.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1 (dental record submission deadline: “as soon as possible”)
Who Is Most Affected
Families of missing persons stand to benefit significantly: faster identification, improved coordination, and greater public awareness increase hope and reduce uncertainty—though some may face emotional distress from mandatory DNA/dental record requests.
Local law enforcement will face new procedural and administrative duties (e.g., submitting records, entering data), which may strain small departments—but the standardized system reduces investigative inconsistencies and improves interagency cooperation.
State and federal agencies benefit from improved data integration and national system alignment, but Washington State Patrol must absorb new operational costs for website maintenance, database expansion, and staff training.
Dental professionals must comply with record requests but lack clear protections against liability or cost reimbursement—though the requirement only applies in limited, justified circumstances.
The general public gains access to timely, consistent missing persons information—enhancing community vigilance and participation—but may be exposed to emotionally distressing content or privacy concerns if data is misused.