AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE AUDITOR OF ACCOUNTS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS.
Summary
HB304 amends Title 29 of the Delaware Code to require criminal background checks for the Office of Auditor of Accounts. The bill applies to current employees, individuals conditionally offered employment, and current or prospective contractors who may have access to state systems, facilities, or data identified by the Auditor or the Auditor’s designee. It requires both Delaware and federal criminal history checks through the State Bureau of Identification and the FBI, with fingerprints and other necessary information submitted for review.
The bill also authorizes the State Bureau of Identification to provide subsequent criminal history information for covered current employees and contractors, including Rap Back System notifications if available. The Auditor or designee may use the information, as permitted by law, to determine eligibility for employment or continued access to state resources. The Office of Auditor of Accounts must pay all costs associated with the background checks, and covered employees and contractors must comply within 30 days of a written request.
Impact
HB304 creates a specific statutory background-check requirement for the Office of Auditor of Accounts by adding Section 2911 to Title 29. It expands the office’s hiring and contractor screening authority, establishes a process for state and national criminal history checks, and provides for ongoing monitoring of current employees and contractors where available. The bill affects the Office of Auditor of Accounts, the State Bureau of Identification, and the FBI-related criminal history process, while shifting all associated costs to the Auditor’s office.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support and little visible opposition. It passed the House 40-0 and the Senate 20-0, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. With no committee transcript available, the voting record suggests the measure was viewed as a straightforward administrative and security enhancement rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No major points of contention are evident in the available record. The main policy choice in the bill is whether to require background checks for all current and prospective employees and certain contractors of the Auditor of Accounts, including ongoing monitoring for some covered individuals. Any potential concerns would likely center on privacy, administrative burden, or cost, but the bill assigns costs to the office itself and the unanimous votes suggest those issues did not generate significant resistance.