HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 The Sheriff Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 425, is amended by adding the following section:

Threat or risk assessment

6.3 (1) In this section:

"personal information" has the same meaning as in Schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act;

"threat or risk assessment" means the identification and assessment of threats or risks to a person, facility, building or property described in subsection (2).

(2) Subject to subsection (3), a sheriff may, if authorized by the director, conduct a threat or risk assessment in respect of a person, facility, building or property in relation to which the sheriff has a power, duty or responsibility referred to in section 4.1.

(3) A sheriff may, if authorized by the director, conduct a threat or risk assessment in respect of an employee of the government if the director considers that the employee may be exposed to a threat or risk at the employee's workplace or in relation to the employee's work.

(4) For the purpose of conducting a threat or risk assessment, a sheriff may, if authorized by the director, collect personal information and other information, including, without limitation,

(a) personal information that is in the Canadian Police Information Centre database or any other database administered by a law enforcement agency, and

(b) personal information that is in the custody or control of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or any other law enforcement agency.

Commencement

2  This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.

 
Explanatory Note

SECTION 1: [Sheriff Act, section 6.3] provides that sheriffs may,

• if authorized by the director, identify and assess threats or risks to a person, facility, building or property in relation to which the sheriff has a power, duty or responsibility,
• if authorized by the director, identify and assess threats or risks to an employee of the government if the employee may be exposed to a threat or risk at the employee's workplace or in relation to the employee's work, and
• for the purpose of conducting a threat or risk assessment, collect personal information and other information, including
• personal information in the Canadian Police Information Centre database or any other law enforcement database, and
• personal information in the custody or control of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or any other law enforcement agency.