S. 1712: Criminal History Access Act of 2025

The Criminal History Access Act of 2025 aims to allow peace officer standards and training agencies in the United States to access criminal history records. This legislation is focused on enhancing the processes related to hiring, training, ethical conduct, and retention of law enforcement officers by providing these agencies with necessary background information on potential candidates.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• Definition of Agencies: The bill defines "peace officer standards and training agency" as a state agency authorized to set standards for the hiring, training, and ethical conduct of law enforcement officers.
• Access to Criminal History: It amends Section 534(e) of Title 28 of the United States Code to specifically allow these agencies to access criminal history records.
• Regulatory Changes: The bill mandates the Attorney General to amend relevant regulations within 180 days after the bill is enacted to facilitate this access.

Effect on States and Territories

The term "State" includes all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and various U.S. territories. Thus, the provisions of this legislation will apply across the entire country and its territories.

Purpose of the Bill

The bill is intended to improve the quality and integrity of law enforcement personnel by ensuring that those who are hired have undergone appropriate background checks, which may lead to better public safety outcomes.

Implementation Timeline

The Attorney General is required to implement the necessary regulatory changes to ensure that peace officer standards and training agencies can start accessing criminal history records within six months of the bill's enactment.

Scope of Impact

By facilitating access to criminal history records for relevant state agencies, the bill aims to enhance the vetting process for law enforcement officers, which could potentially affect the performance and trustworthiness of police forces across the nation.

Relevant Companies

• None found