AR HB1277

Requires criminal background checks on state agency contractors performing services in designated positions or designated financial/information technology positions, with compliance to registry and criminal history check laws under § 21-15-101 et seq.

Amends child welfare agency requirements to clarify that criminal records checks must be approved or disqualified in accordance with licensing or certifying agency rules, rather than simply initiating checks.

Changes criminal background check procedures for service providers to require fingerprint-based Federal Bureau of Investigation checks (instead of state police forwarding fingerprints) for applicants without five years continuous state residency or those seeking employment at child care facilities.

Modifies reporting requirements so licensing or certifying agencies submit national criminal history record check requests to the Identification Bureau, which must issue reports within 10 days of receiving FBI results.

Expands the definition of "designated position" to include persons contracting with state agency contractors, not just direct state employees, for positions involving care or supervision of elderly, mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or children in state-operated facilities.