Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to GOV FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
joint power authorities; fingerprinting
Purpose
An emergency measure that allows a joint powers authority to require the submission of a full set of fingerprints from all current and prospective employees and volunteers.
Background
Current statute allows cities, towns, counties and fire districts to form separate legal entities and may jointly exercise powers held in common by the contracting parties. These common powers may include the following: 1) fire protection; 2) preservation of life; 3) providing emergency medical services; and 4) ambulance transportation services. The governing bodies of these separate legal entities must be composed of elected officials of one or more of the political subdivisions that are parties to the agreement (A.R.S. § 48-805.01).
The Department of Public Safety (DPS) is currently responsible for the effective operation of the central state repository for the purposes of collecting, storing, and disseminating complete and accurate Arizona criminal history records. In conjunction with this responsibility, DPS is also required to procure fingerprints from all criminal justice agencies in the state for the purposes of issuing fingerprint clearance cards (A.R.S. § 41-1750).
Currently, fire districts are required to obtain a full set of fingerprints for any probationary employee in a paid sworn firefighter, reserve firefighter or volunteer firefighter position. A fire district may also require all employees to submit a full set of fingerprints. Fingerprint data may be exchanged with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (A.R.S. § 48-805).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a joint powers authority to require all current and prospective employees and volunteers to submit a full set of fingerprints for the purpose of obtaining a state and federal criminal records check.
2. Allows DPS to exchange fingerprint data with the FBI.
3. Makes a technical change.
4. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 29, 2018
JO/ZD/lat