Security officers.

A bill (S.1743) introduced by Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) that would allow employers to search the FBI database when doing background checks on security officer applicants has been approved by the Senator Judiciary Committee. The bill has been slated for a vote before the entire Senate.

S. 1743 allows employers to get a background check on an individual applying for work as or serving as a private security officer once a year. Additional background checks can be obtained if the employer presents evidence that another check is warranted.

Under the bill, security officer is defined narrowly and does not include employees whose duties are primarily internal audit or credit functions; it also excludes employees of electronic monitoring companies who act as technicians, and employees whose duties primarily involve the security movement of prisoners.

January 2004