2007 House Bill 5543

Authorize local government business license fingerprinting

Introduced in the House

Dec. 6, 2007

Introduced by Rep. Richard LeBlanc (D-18)

To allow local governments to require the fingerprinting of business license applicants, or licensees in “certain occupations” (which is not defined in the bill), for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information.

Referred to the Committee on Intergovernmental, Urban, and Regional Affairs

Jan. 23, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Feb. 28, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that specifies just what informations local governments could collect on licensees. This would include name, date of birth; fingerprints; photographs, if available; personal descriptions including identifying marks, scars, amputations, and tattoos; aliases and prior names; Social Security number, driver's license number, and other identifying numbers; and information on misdemeanor arrest and convictions and felony arrests and convictions.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Richard LeBlanc (D-18)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that narrows its scope to only allow criminal background information to be collected for door-to-door solicitors, taxicab drivers and street vendors.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Paul Opsommer (R-93)

To prohibit local governments from retaining the fingerprints collected under the bill after the criminal background check is completed, to require them to have policies on how control of the fingerprints while they have them, and to exempt any "biometric data" on file from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 88 to 18 (details)

To allow local governments to require the fingerprinting of business license applicants or licensees who are door-to-door solicitors, taxicab drivers and street vendors, for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information specified in the bill.

Received in the Senate

March 4, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary