S.B. 1050 Summary

• Authorizes the department of the attorney general to conduct criminal history record checks and fingerprint-based background investigations on current and prospective employees and contractors who have access to federal tax information to comply with Internal Revenue Service requirements.

• Adds a new section to Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 28 establishing procedures for background investigations, requiring criminal history checks in accordance with section 846-2.7, with information used exclusively to determine suitability for accessing federal tax information.

• Permits the department to terminate or deny employment to employees or contractors if background investigation findings indicate they pose a risk to the security of federal tax information, provided they receive notification of findings and opportunity to rebut before termination or denial.

• Amends section 846-2.7 to add the department of the attorney general as paragraph (49) to the list of entities authorized to conduct criminal history record checks for employees and contractors accessing federal tax information.

• Exempts investigations conducted under the new authority from section 831-3.1 requirements.