House Judiciary committee advances bill to fund DHS background-check unit, Rap Back program

The House Committee on Judiciary on Wednesday advanced House Bill 3,239, a measure that appropriates general fund money to the Oregon Department of Human Services for its background-check unit and to implement the Rap Back program.

Supporters told the committee the bill will subsidize the costs to employees for criminal-record checks and finance implementation of the Rap Back program. A staff summary said a fiscal impact statement has been issued and there is no revenue impact.

Committee members adopted a -1 amendment before approving the bill to send it to the floor with a "do pass" recommendation and referral to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Vice Chair Wallen moved to adopt the dash-1 amendment and later moved the bill as amended to the floor. Clerk roll calls recorded affirmative votes and the motion passed.

The Rap Back program generally allows the state to receive ongoing notifications about criminal-record changes for enrolled individuals; the committee summary provided the bill's purpose but did not specify the dollar amount of the appropriation. The amendment on OLIS replaces the measure text and makes multiple general fund appropriations and increases federal and other funds expenditure limitations to implement the program, according to the staff summary.

The committee closed the work session after the motion passed and referred the bill to Ways and Means for budget review and scheduling. No dissenting votes were recorded in the work session transcript.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 3,239 ' Amendment adopted; bill moved to the floor with a "do pass" recommendation and referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means by prior reference; motion recorded as passed in committee.

Next steps: The bill will be considered by the full House and subject to review by Ways and Means for any budget implications.