Senate Committee Advances Second Bill on Fingerprinting and Background Studies

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Senate Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee last week approved a bill that proposes a long-term solution to challenges with the fingerprinting and background study process in Minnesota. Senate File 1257, authored by Sen. Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), tackles the issue  of fingerprinting capacity by authorizing the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to contract with up to three fingerprinting providers, rather than a single vendor.

It also proposes that DHS would not be required to conduct a background study on any individual who has completed a criminal background check required by a health-related licensing board, such as the Board of Nursing unless DHS had reasonable cause to do so.

This bill is separate from Senate File 496, carried by Sen. Paul Utke (R-Park Rapids), which authorizes DHS to continue “emergency” background studies, without fingerprints, for up to 180 days after the expiration of Minnesota’s peacetime emergency relating to COVID-19. Sen. Utke is also a secondary author of SF 1257, showing his support for a variety of solutions.

Companion bills for both Senate files have been introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives. We will follow those bills as they progress and continue to work with DHS on this important issue. Please contact Jonathan Lips with any background studies questions.