AR SB678

Fire departments must require criminal background checks of all applicants, whether employed on full-time, part-time, or volunteer status.

Criminal background checks must conform to applicable federal standards and include fingerprinting.

Checks are performed through the Arkansas State Police Identification Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Applicants must sign a release authorizing the background check prior to it being conducted, with fees paid by either the fire department or the applicant.

Background check results are used to determine applicant fitness and suitability as a firefighter, treated as confidential, and destroyed within 6 months of receipt.