MDES background check requirements; amend to ensure compliance with certain Internal Revenue Service regulations.
Summary
SB 2285 amends Section 71-5-146 of the Mississippi Code to align the Mississippi Department of Employment Security’s background-check authority with Internal Revenue Service requirements for access to Federal Tax Information (FTI). The bill authorizes MDES to fingerprint and conduct background investigations on employees, contractors, subcontractors, and applicants who have access to, or will have access to, FTI, and it ties those checks to IRS guidance such as Publication 1075.
The bill also expressly authorizes MDES to access and review state and federal criminal history records, submit fingerprints to the state identification bureau, and forward fingerprints to the FBI for a national criminal history record check. It further allows the department to adopt additional policies and procedures needed to comply with state or federal law or regulation. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill updates Mississippi law governing MDES personnel screening by expanding and clarifying the department’s authority to require fingerprint-based background checks for anyone with actual or potential access to federal tax information. In practical terms, it strengthens statutory support for MDES compliance with IRS security requirements and may affect hiring, contracting, and subcontracting processes for the agency. The amendment is limited to MDES and does not broadly change background-check law for other state agencies.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the Senate passed the bill 50-0 and the House passed it 115-0. With no committee transcript provided, there is no evidence of significant controversy in the available record. The overall sentiment appears to have been procedural and favorable, reflecting a compliance-oriented measure rather than a policy dispute.
Contention
No notable points of contention are evident in the provided materials. The bill appears narrowly focused on aligning state background-check procedures with federal IRS requirements, and the unanimous votes suggest little disagreement over the need for the change. Any potential concerns would likely center on employee screening, privacy, or administrative burden, but none are documented in the available discussion or voting record.