AR SB807

Restricts access to national fingerprint-based criminal background checks to the court, court employees with official reasons, and persons specifically ordered by the court to view the information in adoption and home study proceedings.

Prohibits anyone from obtaining copies of national fingerprint-based criminal background checks and limits the Department of Human Services from sharing such information only with employees who have official business reasons to access it.

Requires child welfare agencies to maintain documentation that Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal records checks have been completed on all required persons, and restricts disclosure of criminal background information to Child Welfare Agency Review Board members and applicants only during board meetings with no redisclosure permitted.

Amends confidentiality provisions for criminal history records checks to specify that licensing or certifying agencies may only share information with Department of Human Services employees with official business reasons and remove service providers and report subjects from general access to reports.

Declares an emergency effective immediately, citing a federal audit finding that the Department of Human Services was out of compliance with federal law regarding confidentiality of criminal background checks, posing a public health and safety risk.