A new firefighter legislation is in the works, according to State Senator Pam Helming. After several volunteer departments told her they can no longer access full background information on new applicants due to recent state policies that seal certain criminal records, Helming said she started working on a new bill that would allow both volunteer and paid fire companies to access full background checks again.
Helming noted that firefighters often work with vulnerable people and are frequently the first to arrive in emergency situations. Because of that responsibility, she believes fire departments should be able to review complete background histories before bringing someone onto a team.
It would In addition to background check accessibility, the new bill will also give applicants the chance to review the records and provide explanations if needed. Helming said the goal is not to undo the state’s clean slate laws but to fix what she views as an oversight that left fire departments without the same access given to other emergency services.
The proposal is now under review and will be part of her focus when the legislature returns to Albany in January.
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