SB 1520 Summary

• Establishes the Arizona background clearance card as an alternative to the state's fingerprint clearance card, allowing authorized private investigative providers to conduct criminal history investigations and issue these cards.

• Requires authorized investigative providers to be Arizona corporations or LLCs with licensed private investigators as majority shareholders/managing members (minimum 5 years experience) and all investigative staff must be licensed private investigators.

• Mandates providers conduct 20-year criminal history investigations using state and federal court databases, verify applicant citizenship and work authorization, and issue cards valid for 2 years with security features and online verification capabilities.

• Prohibits providers from selling applicant information, requires secure U.S.-based data storage, and allows the department of administration to audit, suspend or revoke provider licenses for non-compliance.

• Creates a class 3 misdemeanor penalty for knowingly falsifying material facts or making/using false Arizona background clearance cards.