HB193 Summary

• Authorizes state departments and agencies with access to federal tax information to conduct nationwide criminal history background checks on employees and contractors through the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA).

• Requires job applicants and current employees/contractors with access to federal tax information to provide written statements about prior convictions or pending charges and submit to fingerprinting and state and national criminal history records checks.

• Authorizes ALEA to submit fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for national criminal history checks when requested by a department or agency.

• Makes criminal history reports confidential and specifically excludes them from public disclosure requirements, and authorizes ALEA to charge fees for conducting the background checks.

• Requires each department or agency with federal tax information access to establish a policy determining which criminal elements would disqualify or remove an employee's or contractor's access to that information.