OSBI Doesn't Expect Great Impact From Closure of Court Records

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation doesn't expect a large increase in requests for background checks because of proposed rules taking some court records off the Internet.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued rules earlier this month that would remove several records from the Internet and require documents with personal identifying information to be redacted or filed under seal.

Ice Cream Vendors Embrace Background Checks

Details of Rapid City's proposed background-check requirement for ice cream vendors are still being hashed out, but truck operators say they won't have a problem with the new rule if it is implemented. The proposed ordinance would require criminal background checks before an ice cream vendor could get a peddler's license to operate on city streets.

Austin Educator Background Checks Turn up 15 Felonies, 241 Misdemeanors

The Austin school district has fingerprinted about two-thirds of its approximately 6,600 certified educators, and criminal histories have popped up for 256 employees after a search of a national crime database.

Checks as of Feb. 20 found that 15 educators had felony criminal records, while the other 241 had misdemeanor criminal records, according to information released under the Texas Public Information Act.

Facebook a RiskyTool for Background Checks, Lawyers Warn

Employers’ growing use of social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace to scrutinize job applicants could lead to charges of employment discrimination and litigation, experts warn.

Observers say that without adequate policies in place, employers may be leaving themselves vulnerable to charges that they are using the data available on the Web sites to cull minorities, homosexuals and other applicants who are members of protected classes.

Highlands Never did Background Check on Aide

The former special education teacher's aide facing narcotics and corruption of minors charges was given neither a required drug test nor a required criminal background check before Highlands School District hired her last September, according to the district's superintendent.

County Extends Background Checks

Responding to ongoing concerns regarding federally subsidized housing tenants and their possible links to crime, county housing officials have extended criminal background checks for prospective Section 8 renters to five years.

The decision marks a drastic turnaround from December, when the Contra Costa Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners -- made up of the five county supervisors and one resident - declined to extend the background checks beyond one year.

Lack of Reporting Could Dry Up Cash

A national background check system meant to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerously mentally ill individuals gets no help from South Dakota, and at least one gun safety group is working to change that.

Under the "National Instant Check System Improvement Amendments Act" signed in January by President Bush, states could lose federal crime-fighting dollars if they don't submit records to a national database of individuals who have been adjudicated as being a danger to themselves or others because of mental illness.

Cops Can Run Background Checks on Passengers

In a precedent-setting ruling for New Jersey, the state Supreme Court said yesterday police have the right to run a criminal background check on a passenger in a vehicle they pull over. The decision raises the question of whether background checks on passengers will become routine.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-0 that a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police is considered in custody and that it is not unconstitutional for an officer to run a background check on the individual.

US to Ease Rules for Visa Applications

U.S. authorities are easing requirements for background checks for some immigrants hoping to become permanent U.S. residents. The change is expected to help ease a huge backlog of green card (residence visa) applications.

Under the new policy, officials will be able to approve otherwise qualified applicants if they have been waiting for a name check by the FBI for more than six months. Investigators will still conduct fingerprint checks and an internet criminal background search on all applicants.

Elder Abuse Cases on the Rise

When Bruce Armstrong was sentenced on charges of elder abuse, victim's advocate Laura Conrad accompanied Rachel Moore's family members to the sentencing hearing.

Conrad works solely on elder abuse cases in the county. Conrad said her role is intervention, education and protection of the victim's rights.

Background Check Provision Passed for Marshall Employees

Employees who apply for jobs at Marshall University or Marshall Community and Technical College must now undergo background checks.

The Board of Governors passed the background check provision, Policy No. HR-14, during its Oct. 16 meeting, marking the first time the university has required background checks campuswide, the policy said.

Ice Cream Vendor Background Checks

Some Rapid City officials say a change in city statute might be needed in an effort to protect children from any unsavory ice cream vendors.

A city council committee has asked the city attorney's office to prepare an ordinance amendment requiring background checks for people applying for a peddler's license.

Before You Make the Offer: 10 Tips

Question: What's more expensive than the time and money invested in hiring and training a new employee? Answer: Doing it again, when a new hire exits unexpectedly. What can we do as managers to improve the odds on a new hire being a perfect fit? Here are some strategies to employ before an offer is made.

New Background Check Measure Slows Hiring but Not Financial Burden, School Districts Say

New state legislation requiring more extensive background checks for school district employees has significantly slowed local hiring, but school officials say the delay should have little direct effect on students.

The legislation requires fingerprinting and a national criminal background check for all non-certified public school employees who have direct contact with students.

Site Helps With Finding Safe Sitters For Kids, Pets

Baby sitters, pet sitters or care for aging parents -- it's hard figuring out whom you can trust.

NBC 10's Dawn Timmeney showed how the simple click of a mouse can help you find a reliable sitter.

The online resource for parents, Care.com, comes complete with background checks and references.

Criminal Checks Urged for Renters

Pike UNITE is urging property owners within Pikeville city limits to help build a safer community by doing background checks on potential renters.

Pikeville City Commission has agreed to partner with the coalition, Pike UNITE Coordinator Amber Campbell reported to members last Thursday, “as long as no funding is needed.”

A Loophole in Dire Need of Closing

Sen. Henry Marsh knows his bill to close the state’s gun-show loophole faces an incredibly uphill fight, but at least he had several hundred folks show up Monday supporting his initiative.

Senate Courts of Justice committee hearings rarely are among the things that get people up early to pack a hearing in Richmond, but Marsh’s bill was one of the rare exceptions.

Introduced in the wake of the April 16, 2007, massacre of 32 people at Virginia Tech by crazed gunman Sueng-Hui Cho, Marsh’s bill would require anyone purchasing a gun at a gun show and everyone selling a gun at a gun show to undergo and to perform a background check.

Board Approves Background Checks for Coaches

The Gentry Youth Organization will begin conducting background checks on its coaches and assistant coaches.

At its Jan. 9 meeting, the GYO Board approved the measure by a unanimous vote. The head coach and an assistant coach from each team will be required to fill out an application, be interviewed by the board and have a background check done, with the applicant being responsible for the cost of the background check - thought to be about $20.

UW Campuses Begin Mandatory Criminal Background Checks

People with criminal pasts will be red-flagged if they’re applying for work on UW campuses. Mike Simonson reports from Superior.

When the Legislative Audit Bureau found that 40 convicted felons were working in the UW System in 2005—27 of them at UW-Madison—legislators decided that it was time for a change. A year after the UW Board of Regents approved giving virtually every new hire a background check, UW campuses are running background criminal checks of every new hire.

Illinois Lacks Investigators, Background on Teachers Before 2004

Most teachers are committed to helping children learn and protecting them from harm, but like any profession there are a few wormy apples.

Some states are willing to put up with more worms than others.

To find out how Illinois compares, Small Newspaper Group filed open records requests with 50 state education departments and built a national database of revocations and suspensions of teacher licenses.