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1999 SESSION


CHAPTER 685
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 19.2-389, 37.1-20.3 and 37.1-197.2 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 37.1-183.3, relating to criminal background checks.
[H 2572]
Approved March 28, 1999

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 19.2-389, 37.1-20.3 and 37.1-197.2 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 37.1-183.3 as follows:

§ 19.2-389. Dissemination of criminal history record information.

A. Criminal history record information shall be disseminated, whether directly or through an intermediary, only to:

1. Authorized officers or employees of criminal justice agencies, as defined by § 9-169, for purposes of the administration of criminal justice and the screening of an employment application or review of employment by a criminal justice agency with respect to its own employees or applicants, and dissemination to the Virginia Parole Board, pursuant to this subdivision, of such information on all state-responsible inmates for the purpose of making parole determinations pursuant to subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 5 of § 53.1-136 shall include collective dissemination by electronic means every thirty days;

2. Such other individuals and agencies which require criminal history record information to implement a state or federal statute or executive order of the President of the United States or Governor that expressly refers to criminal conduct and contains requirements and/or exclusions expressly based upon such conduct, except that information concerning the arrest of an individual may not be disseminated to a noncriminal justice agency or individual if an interval of one year has elapsed from the date of the arrest and no disposition of the charge has been recorded and no active prosecution of the charge is pending;

3. Individuals and agencies pursuant to a specific agreement with a criminal justice agency to provide services required for the administration of criminal justice pursuant to that agreement which shall specifically authorize access to data, limit the use of data to purposes for which given, and ensure the security and confidentiality of the data;

4. Individuals and agencies for the express purpose of research, evaluative, or statistical activities pursuant to an agreement with a criminal justice agency which shall specifically authorize access to data, limit the use of data to research, evaluative, or statistical purposes, and ensure the confidentiality and security of the data;

5. Agencies of state or federal government which are authorized by state or federal statute or executive order of the President of the United States or Governor to conduct investigations determining employment suitability or eligibility for security clearances allowing access to classified information;

6. Individuals and agencies where authorized by court order or court rule;

7. Agencies of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth for the conduct of investigations of applicants for public employment, permit, or license whenever, in the interest of public welfare or safety, it is necessary to determine under a duly enacted ordinance if the past criminal conduct of a person with a conviction record would be compatible with the nature of the employment, permit, or license under consideration;

8. Public or private agencies when and as required by federal or state law or interstate compact to investigate applicants for foster or adoptive parenthood subject to the restriction that the data shall not be further disseminated by the agency to any party other than a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination;

9. To the extent permitted by federal law or regulation, public service companies as defined in § 56-1, for the conduct of investigations of applicants for employment when such employment involves personal contact with the public or when past criminal conduct of an applicant would be incompatible with the nature of the employment under consideration;

10. The appropriate authority for purposes of granting citizenship and for purposes of international travel, including but not limited to, issuing visas and passports;

11. A person requesting a copy of his own criminal history record information as defined in § 9-169 at his cost, except that criminal history record information shall be supplied at no charge to a person who has applied to be a volunteer (i) with a Virginia affiliate of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, (ii) with a volunteer fire company or volunteer rescue squad, or (iii) with the Volunteer Emergency Families for Children;

12. Administrators and board presidents of and applicants for licensure or registration as a child welfare agency as defined in § 63.1-195 for dissemination to the Commissioner of Social Services' representative pursuant to § 63.1-198 for the conduct of investigations with respect to employees of and volunteers at such facilities, caretakers, and other adults living in family day-care homes or homes approved by family day-care systems, and foster and adoptive parent applicants of private child-placing agencies, pursuant to § 63.1-198.1, subject to the restriction that the data shall not be further disseminated by the facility or agency to any party other than the data subject, the Commissioner of Social Services' representative or a federal or state authority or court as may be required to comply with an express requirement of law for such further dissemination;

13. The school boards of the Commonwealth for the purpose of screening individuals who are offered or who accept public school employment and those current school board employees for whom a report of arrest has been made pursuant to § 19.2-83.1;

14. The State Lottery Department for the conduct of investigations as set forth in the State Lottery Law (§ 58.1-4000 et seq.);

15. Licensed nursing homes, hospitals and home care organizations for the conduct of investigations of applicants for compensated employment in licensed nursing homes pursuant to § 32.1-126.01, hospital pharmacies pursuant to § 32.1-126.02, and home care organizations pursuant to § 32.1-162.9:1, subject to the limitations set out in subsection E;

16. Licensed homes for adults, licensed district homes for adults, and licensed adult day-care centers for the conduct of investigations of applicants for compensated employment in licensed homes for adults pursuant to § 63.1-173.2, in licensed district homes for adults pursuant to § 63.1-189.1, and in licensed adult day-care centers pursuant to § 63.1-194.13, subject to the limitations set out in subsection F;

17. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for the conduct of investigations as set forth in § 4.1-103.1;

18. The State Board of Elections and authorized officers and employees thereof in the course of conducting necessary investigations with respect to registered voters, limited to any record of felony convictions;

19. The Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services for those individuals who are committed to the custody of the Commissioner pursuant to §§ 19.2-169.2, 19.2-169.6, 19.2-176, 19.2-177.1, 19.2-182.2, 19.2-182.3, 19.2-182.8 and 19.2-182.9 for the purpose of placement, evaluation, and treatment planning;

20. Any alcohol safety action program certified by the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program for (i) assessments of habitual offenders under § 46.2-360, (ii) interventions with first offenders under § 18.2-251, or (iii) services to offenders under §§ 18.2-51.4, 18.2-266 or § 18.2-266.1;

21. Residential facilities for juveniles regulated or operated by the Department of Social Services, the Department of Education, or the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services for the purpose of determining applicants' fitness for employment or for providing volunteer or contractual services;

22. The Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services and facilities operated by the Department for the purpose of determining an individual's fitness for employment pursuant to departmental instructions;

23. Pursuant to § 22.1-296.3, the governing boards or administrators of private or parochial elementary or secondary schools which are accredited by a statewide accrediting organization recognized, prior to January 1, 1996, by the State Board of Education or a private organization coordinating such records information on behalf of such governing boards or administrators pursuant to a written agreement with the Department of State Police;

24. Public and nonprofit private colleges and universities for the purpose of screening individuals who are offered or accept employment;

25. Executive directors of community services boards or the personnel director serving the community services board for the purpose of determining an individual's fitness for employment pursuant to § 37.1-197.2;

26. Executive directors of behavioral health authorities as defined in § 37.1-243 for the purpose of determining an individual's fitness for employment pursuant to § 37.1-197.2;

27. The Commissioner of the Department of Social Services for the purpose of locating persons who owe child support or who are alleged in a pending paternity proceeding to be a putative father, provided that only the name, address, demographics and social security number of the data subject shall be released; and

28. Authorized officers or directors of agencies licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of Title 37.1 by the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services for the purpose of determining if any applicant who accepts employment in any direct consumer care position has been convicted of a crime that affects their fitness to have responsibility for the safety and well-being of persons with mental illness, mental retardation and substance abuse pursuant to §§ 37.1-183.3 and 37.1-197.2; and

28. 29. Other entities as otherwise provided by law.

Upon an ex parte motion of a defendant in a felony case and upon the showing that the records requested may be relevant to such case, the court shall enter an order requiring the Central Criminal Records Exchange to furnish the defendant, as soon as practicable, copies of any records of persons designated in the order on whom a report has been made under the provisions of this chapter.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter to the contrary, upon a written request sworn to before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments, the Central Criminal Records Exchange, or the criminal justice agency in cases of offenses not required to be reported to the Exchange, shall furnish a copy of conviction data covering the person named in the request to the person making the request; however, such person on whom the data is being obtained shall consent in writing, under oath, to the making of such request. A person receiving a copy of his own conviction data may utilize or further disseminate that data as he deems appropriate. In the event no conviction data is maintained on the data subject, the person making the request shall be furnished at his cost a certification to that effect.

B. Use of criminal history record information disseminated to noncriminal justice agencies under this section shall be limited to the purposes for which it was given and may not be disseminated further.

C. No criminal justice agency or person shall confirm the existence or nonexistence of criminal history record information for employment or licensing inquiries except as provided by law.

D. Criminal justice agencies shall establish procedures to query the Central Criminal Records Exchange prior to dissemination of any criminal history record information on offenses required to be reported to the Central Criminal Records Exchange to ensure that the most up-to-date disposition data is being used. Inquiries of the Exchange shall be made prior to any dissemination except in those cases where time is of the essence and the normal response time of the Exchange would exceed the necessary time period. A criminal justice agency to whom a request has been made for the dissemination of criminal history record information that is required to be reported to the Central Criminal Records Exchange may direct the inquirer to the Central Criminal Records Exchange for such dissemination. Dissemination of information regarding offenses not required to be reported to the Exchange shall be made by the criminal justice agency maintaining the record as required by § 15.2-1722.

E. Criminal history information provided to licensed nursing homes, hospitals and to home care organizations pursuant to subdivision A 15 shall be limited to the convictions on file with the Exchange for any offense specified in §§ 32.1-126.01, 32.1-126.02 and 32.1-162.9:1.

F. Criminal history information provided to licensed adult care residences, licensed district homes for adults, and licensed adult day-care centers pursuant to subdivision A 16 shall be limited to the convictions on file with the Exchange for any offense specified in §§ 63.1-173.2, 63.1-189.1 or § 63.1-194.13.

§ 37.1-20.3. Background check required.

A. As a condition of employment, the Department shall require any individual who (i) accepts a position of employment at a state facility as defined in § 37.1-1 and was not employed by that state facility prior to July 1, 1996;, or (ii) accepts a position with the Department that receives, monitors or disburses funds of the Commonwealth and was not employed by the Department prior to July 1, 1996, to submit to fingerprinting and to provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded along with the applicant's fingerprints through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information regarding such applicant.

For purposes of clause (i) above, the Department shall not hire for compensated employment persons who have been (i) convicted of murder or manslaughter as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; malicious wounding by mob as set out in § 18.2-41; abduction as set out in § 18.2-47 A; abduction for immoral purposes as set out in § 18.2-48; assault and bodily wounding as set out in Article 4 (§ 18.2-51 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; robbery as set out in § 18.2-58; carjacking as set out § 18.2-58.1; extortion by threat as set out in § 18.2-59; threat as set out in § 18.2-60; any felony stalking violation as set out in § 18.2-60.3; sexual assault as set out in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; arson as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-77 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2; burglary as set out in Article 2 (§ 18.2-89 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2; any felony violation relating to possession or distribution of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2; drive-by shooting as set out in § 18.2-286.1; use of a machine gun in a crime of violence as set out in § 18.2-289 or aggressive use of a machine gun as set out in § 18.2-290; use of a sawed-off shotgun in a crime of violence as set out in § 18.2-300 A; pandering as set out in § 18.2-355; crimes against nature involving children as set out in § 18.2-361, taking indecent liberties with children as set out in § 18.2-370 or § 18.2-370.1, abuse and neglect of children as set out in § 18.2-371.1, including failing to secure medical attention for an injured child as set out in § 18.2-314, obscenity offenses as set out in § 18.2-374.1, possession of child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1, or electronic facilitation of pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.3; incest as set out in § 18.2-366; abuse and neglect of incapacitated adults as set out in § 18.2-369; employing or permitting a minor to assist in an act constituting an offense under Article 5 (§ 18.2-372 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 as set out in § 18.2-379; delivery of drugs to prisoners as set out in § 18.2-474.1; escape from jail as set out in § 18.2-477; felonies by prisoners as set out in § 53.1-203; or an equivalent offense in another state; or (ii) convicted of any felony violation relating to possession of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 in the five years prior to the application date for employment or convicted of any felony violation relating to possession of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 and continue on probation or parole or have failed to pay required court costs.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an individual's record or notification that no record exists, shall submit a report to the state facility or to the Department. If an individual is denied employment because of information appearing on his criminal history record and the applicant disputes the information upon which the denial was based, the state facility or Department shall provide, upon written request, a copy of the information obtained from the Central Criminal Records Exchange that resulted in the denial of employment to the individual shall, upon written request, furnish to the applicant the procedures for obtaining a copy of the criminal history record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The information provided to the state facility or Department shall not be disseminated except as provided in this section.

B. Those individuals listed in clause (i) of subsection A also shall provide the state facility or Department a copy of information from the central registry maintained pursuant to § 63.1-248.8 on any investigation of child abuse or neglect undertaken on him.

C. The Board may promulgate regulations to comply with the provisions of this section. Copies of any information received by the state facility or Department pursuant to this section shall be available to the Department and to the applicable state facility but shall not be disseminated further, except as permitted by state or federal law. The cost of obtaining the criminal history record and the central registry information shall be borne by the applicant, unless the Department, at its option, decides to pay such cost.

§ 37.1-183.3 Background checks required.

A. Every agency licensed pursuant to this chapter shall, on and after July 1, 1999, require any applicant who accepts employment in any direct consumer care position to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the purpose of obtaining national criminal history record information regarding the applicant. Every agency licensed pursuant to this chapter shall not hire for compensated employment persons who have been (i) convicted of murder or manslaughter as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; malicious wounding by mob as set out in § 18.2-41; abduction as set out in § 18.2-47 A; abduction for immoral purposes as set out in § 18.2-48; assault and bodily wounding as set out in Article 4 (§ 18.2-51 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; robbery as set out in § 18.2-58; carjacking as set out § 18.2-58.1; extortion by threat as set out in § 18.2-59; threat as set out in § 18.2-60; any felony stalking violation as set out in § 18.2-60.3; sexual assault as set out in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; arson as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-77 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2; burglary as set out in Article 2 (§ 18.2-89 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2; any felony violation relating to distribution of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2; drive-by shooting as set out in § 18.2-286.1; use of a machine gun in a crime of violence as set out in § 18.2-289 or aggressive use of a machine gun as set out in § 18.2-290; use of a sawed-off shotgun in a crime of violence as set out in § 18.2-300 A; pandering as set out in § 18.2-355; crimes against nature involving children as set out in § 18.2-361, taking indecent liberties with children as set out in § 18.2-370 or § 18.2-370.1, abuse and neglect of children as set out in § 18.2-371.1, including failing to secure medical attention for an injured child as set out in § 18.2-314, obscenity offenses as set out in § 18.2-374.1, possession of child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1, or electronic facilitation of pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.3; incest as set out in § 18.2-366; abuse and neglect of incapacitated adults as set out in § 18.2-369; employing or permitting a minor to assist in an act constituting an offense under Article 5 (§ 18.2-372 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 as set out in § 18.2-379; delivery of drugs to prisoners as set out in § 18.2-474.1; escape from jail as set out in § 18.2-477; felonies by prisoners as set out in § 53.1-203; or an equivalent offense in another state; or (ii) convicted of any felony violation relating to possession of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 in the five years prior to the application date for employment or convicted of any felony violation relating to possession of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 and continue on probation or parole or have failed to pay required court costs.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an individual's record or notification that no record exists, shall submit a report to the requesting authorized officer or director of agencies licensed pursuant to this chapter. If any applicant is denied employment because of information appearing on the criminal history record and the applicant disputes the information upon which the denial was based, the Central Criminal Records Exchange shall, upon written request, furnish to the applicant the procedures for obtaining a copy of the criminal history record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The information provided to the authorized officer or director of agencies licensed pursuant to this chapter shall not be disseminated except as provided in this section.

B. Agencies licensed pursuant to this chapter shall also require, as a condition of employment for all such applicants, written consent and personal information necessary to obtain a search of the registry of founded complaints of child abuse and neglect maintained by the Department of Social Services pursuant to § 63.1-248.8.

C. The cost of obtaining the criminal history record and search of the child abuse and neglect registry record shall be borne by the applicant, unless the agency licensed pursuant to this chapter, at its option, decides to pay such cost.

D. As used in this section, the term "direct consumer care position" means any position with a job description that includes responsibility for (i) treatment, case management, health, safety, development or well-being of a consumer or (ii) immediately supervising a person in a position with such responsibility.

§ 37.1-197.2. Background checks required.

A. Every operating community services board, administrative policy board, local government department with a policy-advisory board and, behavioral health authority, and agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of this title that provides services under contract with a community services board, behavioral health authority or local government department shall, on and after July 1, 1997, require any applicant who accepts employment in any direct consumer care position with the operating community services board, administrative policy board, local government department with a policy-advisory board or, behavioral health authority or agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of this title that provides services under contract with a community services board, behavioral health authority or local government department to submit to fingerprinting and provide personal descriptive information to be forwarded through the Central Criminal Records Exchange to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for the purpose of obtaining national criminal history record information regarding such applicant. An operating community services board, administrative policy board, local government department with a policy-advisory board, behavioral health authority, and agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of this title that provides services under contract with a community services board, behavioral health authority or local government department shall not hire for compensated employment persons who have been (i) convicted of murder or manslaughter as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-30 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; malicious wounding by mob as set out in § 18.2-41; abduction as set out in § 18.2-47 A; abduction for immoral purposes as set out in § 18.2-48; assault and bodily wounding as set out in Article 4 (§ 18.2-51 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; robbery as set out in § 18.2-58; carjacking as set out § 18.2-58.1; extortion by threat as set out in § 18.2-59; threat as set out in § 18.2-60; any felony stalking violation as set out in § 18.2-60.3; sexual assault as set out in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2; arson as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-77 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2; burglary as set out in Article 2 (§ 18.2-89 et seq.) of Chapter 5 of Title 18.2; any felony violation relating to distribution of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2; drive-by shooting as set out in § 18.2-286.1; use of a machine gun in a crime of violence as set out in § 18.2-289 or aggressive use of a machine gun as set out in § 18.2-290; use of a sawed-off shotgun in a crime of violence as set out in § 18.2-300 A; pandering as set out in § 18.2-355; crimes against nature involving children as set out in § 18.2-361, taking indecent liberties with children as set out in § 18.2-370 or § 18.2-370.1, abuse and neglect of children as set out in § 18.2-371.1, including failing to secure medical attention for an injured child as set out in § 18.2-314, obscenity offenses as set out in § 18.2-374.1, possession of child pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.1:1, or electronic facilitation of pornography as set out in § 18.2-374.3; incest as set out in § 18.2-366; abuse and neglect of incapacitated adults as set out in § 18.2-369; employing or permitting a minor to assist in an act constituting an offense under Article 5 (§ 18.2-372 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 as set out in § 18.2-379; delivery of drugs to prisoners as set out in § 18.2-474.1; escape from jail as set out in § 18.2-477; felonies by prisoners as set out in § 53.1-203; or an equivalent offense in another state; or (ii) convicted of any felony violation relating to possession of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 in the five years prior to the application date for employment or convicted of any felony violation relating to possession of drugs as set out in Article 1 (§ 18.2-247 et seq.) of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 and continue on probation or parole or have failed to pay required court costs.

The Central Criminal Records Exchange, upon receipt of an individual's record or notification that no record exists, shall submit a report to the requesting (a) authorized officer or director of agencies licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of this title that provide services under contract with a community services board, behavioral health authority or local government department or (b) executive director or personnel director serving the operating community services board, administrative policy board, local government department with a policy-advisory board or the behavioral health authority. If any applicant is denied employment because of information appearing on the criminal history record and the applicant disputes the information upon which the denial was based, the Central Criminal Records Exchange shall, upon written request, furnish to the applicant the procedures for obtaining a copy of the criminal history record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The information provided to (a) the authorized officer or director of agencies licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of this title that provide services under contract with a community services board, behavioral health authority or local government department or (b) the executive director or personnel director serving any operating community services board, administrative policy board, local government department with a policy-advisory board or behavioral health authority shall not be disseminated except as provided in this section.

B. Operating community services boards, administrative policy boards, local government departments with policy-advisory boards and, behavioral health authorities and agencies licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of this title that provide services under contract with a community services board, behavioral health authority or local government department shall also require, as a condition of employment for all such applicants, written consent and personal information necessary to obtain a search of the registry of founded complaints of child abuse and neglect maintained by the Department of Social Services pursuant to § 63.1-248.8.

C. The cost of obtaining the criminal history record and search of the child abuse and neglect registry record shall be borne by the applicant, unless the operating community services board, administrative policy board, local government department with a policy-advisory board, the local government in those localities in which the community services board is a department of local government, or behavioral health authority, or agency licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (§ 37.1-179 et seq.) of this title that provides services under contract with a community services board, behavioral health authority or local government department, at its option, decides to pay such cost.

D. As used in this section, the term "direct consumer care position" means any position with a job description that includes responsibility for (i) treatment, case management, health, safety, development or well-being of a consumer, or (ii) immediately supervising a person in a position with such responsibility.