House debates 'fingerprint' background-check bill and circles it for review

Representative John Handy introduced HB124, described in the hearing as the education background-check amendments commonly called the "fingerprint bill." He said the bill would allow employers and school districts to enroll and retain applicants' fingerprints at the FBI level so that updates — arrests, dispositions or warrants — would be relayed back to the requesting entity. "It's the ability to enroll, register, and retain applicants fingerprints at the FBI level so that notification of an update, like an arrest, a disposition, warrant, can be made back to the qualified entity that is requesting the fingerprints to be retained," Handy said during his presentation.

Handy said the change would reduce time and expense for employees who currently must be re-fingerprinted periodically, and that the bill brings state code into alignment with forthcoming FBI technology.

Representative Ivory questioned whether the bill's language limiting employers to considering only "job related" matters would prevent consideration of some serious convictions. "If it's a felony, it should be considered," Ivory said, adding that he would likely vote no unless the language were clarified. A different member moved a voice amendment to replace the words "may only" with "shall" on the relevant line, which would broaden the duty to consider listed matters. Handy asked for time to get legal advice about unintended consequences.

After debate the House voted to "circle" HB124 (hold it for further review). Representative Samno moved to circle the bill; the motion passed by voice vote, leaving HB124 circled for later consideration.

Next steps: HB124 was circled for further legal review and is scheduled for follow-up in committee or future floor action.