Bill to allow alternative background checks for shelter and supportive housing staff laid over

Representative Zalen Zalenslakar introduced House File 18‑31 and an A1 amendment that would allow specified supportive housing and emergency shelter programs to use alternative, authorized background check vendors or local law enforcement checks in lieu of the DHS fingerprint‑based study. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and laid the bill over for further work.

Proponents, including Christina Jacobson, director of equity and human resources at Simpson Housing Services, and Marcus Schmidt, executive director at Hearth Connection, told the committee that DHS fingerprint background studies can be slow, costly and logistically burdensome for applicants and providers. Jacobson said it sometimes takes weeks or more than a month for DHS processing and that the administrative burden consumes staff time; she testified that “it takes over 50 hours of staff time to hire 1 person” and described missed hires and lost candidates because of the delay.

Supporters argued alternative checks (for example, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension records, private vendor checks or checks done through local law enforcement) are faster and cheaper, and that several jurisdictions already use comparable methods. Marcus Schmidt said the change would improve hiring speed for organizations serving people experiencing homelessness and that the alternatives are “cheaper, they're faster, and they're just as effective.”

Committee members pressed for clarification about standardization and portability of checks across programs and raised federal background study requirements that may apply to some funding streams. Representative Zelenslakar said she is meeting with DHS to work out implementation details; Representative Lehi Le Carre urged follow‑up with DHS and with members across the aisle to ensure the change protects vulnerable people while addressing workforce shortages.

Representative Zelenslakar moved adoption of the A1 amendment (adopted by voice vote) and then moved that House File 18‑31 be laid over for possible inclusion; the motion carried.

Votes at a glance: House File 18‑31 — A1 amendment adopted (voice vote); motion to lay over made by Representative Zelenslakar; outcome: laid over for possible inclusion.