HB 1046 -- CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

This bill requires all law enforcement agencies to provide at no
cost a criminal background check in connection with gaining
employment, housing, or any other service on any homeless former
member of the armed forces who has been honorably discharged.

The bill also specifies that an adult health care provider's
duty to conduct employee criminal background checks is satisfied
if the Highway Patrol completes an inquiry of criminal records
that are available for disclosure.  The bill clarifies that
completing the background check does not exempt an employer from
common law requirements of exercising due diligence in hiring
decisions.  The Department of Social Services is authorized to
establish rules that would allow hiring restrictions to be
waived.

HB 1046 -- GOVERNMENTAL RECORDS (O'Toole)

This bill requires all law enforcement agencies to provide at no
cost a criminal background check in connection with gaining
employment, housing, or any other service on any homeless former
member of the armed forces who has been honorably discharged.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

HB 1046 -- GOVERNMENTAL RECORDS

SPONSOR:  O'Toole

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee
on Federal-State Relations and Veterans Affairs by a vote of 11
to 0.

This bill requires all law enforcement agencies to provide at no
cost a criminal background check in connection with gaining
employment, housing, or any other service on any homeless former
member of the armed forces who has been honorably discharged.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that this bill would help the 500 to
1,000 veterans looking for employment and low cost housing.
Many of these veterans have no money and will not be working
without this help.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Foley; and the City
of St. Louis, Department of Human Services.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

HB 1046 -- Governmental Records

Sponsor:  O'Toole

This bill requires all law enforcement agencies to provide at no
cost a criminal background check in connection with gaining
employment, housing, or any other service on any homeless former
member of the armed forces who has been honorably discharged.