H891 Summary: Handgun Permit Standardization

• Expands permit eligibility to include permanent resident aliens (in addition to U.S. citizens) and redefines mental health disqualifications to require a currently diagnosed ongoing mental disorder from the DSM that presents danger, eliminating consideration of past transient disorders.

• Restricts sheriffs from requesting employment information, character affidavits, photographs, or additional background checks beyond what is specifically permitted, and limits mental health investigations to the 120 months prior to application.

• Establishes a 90-day maximum processing time from application submission regardless of mental health records receipt, and prohibits any person, company, mental health provider, or governmental entity from charging fees for providing required mental health records.

• Prohibits sheriffs from charging any fees other than those authorized by statute for applications, renewals, duplications, and fingerprint processing.

• Effective October 1, 2015, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.