GAO reports on use of FBI records checks for employment purposes
We expect shortly to provide a full analysis of the GAO report. Suffice it to say at this point that it concludes that there has been some modest progress by states in improving the accuracy and completeness of their records supplied to the FBI over the past half dozen years. At the same time, authorized requests for FBI record checks from states and private background screening companies have increased exponentially in recent years because of increased demand for checks by employers and others. For example, there are now more than 2,800 state laws authorizing access to FBI records by public and private employers, licensing agencies, and volunteer organizations. There are in addition numerous federal laws that authorize access for certain types of employment, including employment involving contact with vulnerable populations, national service programs, and private security officers. Moreover, the report found a general lack of compliance with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, by states as well as private background checking companies.
- Round-up of fair chance licensing reforms in 2024 - August 6, 2024
- “Positive Credentials That Limit Risk: A Report on Certificates of Relief” - June 27, 2024
- First fair chance licensing reforms of 2024 - March 27, 2024
- Making the research case for hiring people with a conviction record - January 12, 2024
- “Advancing Second Chances: Clean Slate and Other Record Reforms in 2023” - January 8, 2024
- Round-up of 2023 record-clearing laws - January 4, 2024
- A New Year’s wish: New life for the pardon power! - January 2, 2024
- Accessing SNAP and TANF Benefits after a Drug Conviction: A Survey of State Laws - December 6, 2023
- Comments on SBA proposal to eliminate criminal history loan restrictions - November 16, 2023
- Minnesota enacts four major record reforms in 2023 - October 18, 2023