SB 25-146

Senate Bill 25-146 allows licensing bodies for various health and professional occupations in Colorado to require applicants to undergo fingerprint-based criminal background checks. This applies to professions like audiology, midwifery, dentistry, counseling, and more. Applicants must pay for these checks themselves if required. If the initial check shows an arrest without a final outcome, they may need to do additional name-based checks. The bill has been signed into law, meaning these requirements are now in effect for licensing processes.

Official Summary

The act allows regulators of the following professions and occupations to require an applicant for a license, certification, or registration to submit to a fingerprint-based criminal history record check (fingerprint-based record check): Audiologists; Certified midwives; Cremationists; Dental hygienists; Dentists; Embalmers; Funeral directors; Licensed professional counselors; Mortuary science practitioners; Natural reductionists; Occupational therapists; Occupational therapy assistants; Physician assistants; Social workers; and Speech-language pathologists. An applicant submitting to a fingerprint-based record check must pay the costs associated with the fingerprint-based record check. If an applicant's fingerprint-based record check reveals a record of arrest without a disposition, the applicant must submit to a name-based judicial record check. A local government entity is authorized to perform a fingerprint-based record check when an ordinance or resolution requires an individual to submit to a fingerprint-based record check. The act also clarifies who is eligible to submit to, who is eligible to receive records from, and the type of records an entity may receive from a fingerprint-based record check and aligns state law with federal bureau of investigation requirements. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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