Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Data Sharing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel approves framework for limited ACIC data sharing with non‑criminal‑justice agencies
Summary
The committee passed SB 266 to create an application‑based framework allowing certain non‑criminal‑justice state agencies (for example, Medicaid IG, DHS and crisis stabilization units) to obtain limited access to portions of ACIC databases subject to usage and security requirements; ACIC director said existing criminal penalties for misuse remain in force.
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved SB 266, a bill to allow limited, controlled sharing of selected Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) databases with certain non–criminal‑justice state agencies upon application and demonstration of secure use protocols.
Brad Casort, director of the Arkansas Crime Information Center, told the committee that current law restricts most ACIC databases to criminal‑justice agencies but that some non‑criminal‑justice uses (for example, research background checks) already have statutory paths. “This bill,” Casort said, “creates the authority to do that ... and would allow it in limited circumstances upon application to us from a non criminal justice agency with explicit instructions about how they intend to use the data and how they intend to keep it secure.”
Casort gave examples of agencies seeking broader access: the Office of Medicaid Inspector General and the Department of Human Services want to compare jail‑booking data against Medicaid recipient rolls; crisis stabilization units want to match booking data to mental‑health screening records to support continuity of care. Casort said the bill would create a process for batch or limited access under controlled conditions rather than open access or routine private‑contractor access.
Committee members asked whether private contractors could obtain data and whether penalties for misusing the system would change. Casort replied statutes already criminalize misuse of ACIC data and the bill does not reduce those penalties; training for new users would be part of any access protocol.
The sponsor closed and the committee passed the bill by voice vote.
What it means: SB 266 creates a statutory framework for ACIC to consider vetted applications from non‑criminal‑justice agencies for limited operational access to certain data sets with security controls; it does not automatically open all ACIC files to outside entities and does not change existing criminal penalties for misuse.
Actions and status: Committee approved motion to pass SB 266; committee chair announced the bill had passed.
