Fire departments will be permitted to run criminal background checks on current employees no more than once per year.
A new law, effective Aug. 1, 2010, aims to ensure that, in addition to being properly trained, responding emergency personnel are upstanding citizens. It was signed April 22 by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul), who sponsors the law with Sen. Don Betzold (DFL-Fridley), said the law was brought to him by a fire chief who, upon discovery that one of his employees had been indicted for arson, found out he couldn’t do a criminal background check on his employees. Now, background checks can only be run on applicants.
The information would be considered private data, and handled as any other such data.
HF3130/
SF2363*/CH259
Turn your key and breathe
House approves ignition interlock bill that would let DWI offenders drive sooner
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Published 4/29/2010
Minnesota Index: Crime and punishment
Figures and statistics on crime in Minnesota.
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Published 3/18/2010
Red River Basin: ‘Here we go again’
Flood-prone communities look to keep their heads above water
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Published 3/4/2010
At Issue: Courts and corrections backing
Public safety finance bill awaits gubernatorial action
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Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Corrections, courts funding concerns
Omnibus public safety finance bill gets mixed reaction from House
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Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Sex offenders, courts and corrections
Omnibus public safety policy bill headed to conference committee
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Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Helping to find missing adults
House vote expected soon on ‘Brandon’s Law’
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Published 4/17/2009
Minnesota Index: Keeping Minnesotans safe
Figures and statistics on the state patrol and fire marshals in Minnesota
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Published 3/20/2009
Minnesota Index: See you in court
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's court system
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Published 2/27/2009
Minnesota Index: 'The Graybar Hotel'
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's prison population
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Published 1/16/2009