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SB 568 · 2026 · Senate · Executive Departments and Administration Committee

Safety department background check process

AI-generated

(New Title) relative to the department of safety's procedures for the processing of employee candidate background checks.

Authorizes designated department of safety employees to obtain criminal conviction information from state police for processing employee candidate background checks.AI-generated

Status

Signed into law · May 29, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓Senate
  3. ✓House
  4. ✓Governor
  5. ✓Law

Analysis

This bill authorizes department of safety employees who are designated by the commissioner and authorized to receive criminal conviction information to obtain such information from state police for the processing of employee candidate background checks.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

In the bill's words

Quoted verbatim from the bill as enacted. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site

“To obtain a state records check only, the department shall submit a state criminal history records release form to the division of state police.”
Section 107:1
“To obtain both the federal and the state records check, the department shall submit the criminal history records release form and applicant fingerprint card to the division of state police, which shall conduct a criminal history records check through its records and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
Section 107:1
“Upon completion of the background investigation, the division of state police shall report any criminal conviction information to the commissioner or to a department of safety employee as designated by the commissioner who is authorized to receive criminal conviction information.”
Section 107:1
“The department may submit fingerprint information electronically, in accordance with procedures established by the division of state police.”
Section 107:1

Official record

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Sen. Bill GannonRPrimeVice Chair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Howard PearlRChair· Executive Departments and Administration
  • Sen. Timothy LangRMajority Whip
  • Sen. Sharon CarsonRPresident of the Senate
  • Sen. Daryl AbbasRPresident Pro Tempore
  • Sen. Regina BirdsellRMajority Leader
  • Sen. Keith MurphyRDeputy President Pro Tempore
  • Rep. Kimberly RiceRVice Chair· Children and Family Law
  • Rep. Jennifer RhodesRVice Chair· Criminal Justice and Public Safety
  • Rep. Katelyn KuttabRClerk· Judiciary

Also: Sen. Tim McGoughR, Rep. Laurence MinerR, Rep. Susan PorcelliR

Public testimony

1 signed in online

100% support0% oppose0% neutral

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Votes

yeanay
Starting text: Bill as introduced
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateCommittee report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0384s4–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteCommittee amendment 2026-0384sadopted
  • Feb 5, 2026SenateVoice voteOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0384sadopted
    Resulting text: Bill as amended by the Senate
  • Mar 18, 2026HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Ought to Pass13–0
    Overall
    100% yea
  • Apr 9, 2026HouseVoice voteOught to Passadopted
  • May 14, 2026SenateVoice voteEnrolledadopted

Hearings and debates

  • Jan 28, 2026Public hearingSenate Executive Departments and Administration32:38–33:461m 8slocated in the stream transcriptHearing
  • Feb 5, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamCommittee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0384s; Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-0384s — adopted, voice vote; Committee Amendment # 2026-0384s — adopted, voice vote
  • Mar 18, 2026Public hearingHouse Executive Departments and Administration3:03:08–3:06:353m 27slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Ought to Pass; Public Hearing; Executive Session
  • Apr 9, 2026Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamOught to Pass — adopted, voice vote
  • May 14, 2026Floor debateSenate floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamEnrolled Adopted — voice vote

Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026SenIntroduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Executive Departments and Administration; SJ 1
  2. Jan 28, 2026SenHearing: 01/28/2026, Room 103, SH, 09:20 am; SC 3
  3. Feb 5, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-0384s, 02/05/2026; Vote 4-0; CC; SC 4
  4. Feb 5, 2026SenCommittee Amendment # 2026-0384s, AA, VV; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  5. Feb 5, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment #2026-0384s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 02/05/2026; SJ 3
  6. Feb 19, 2026HouseIntroduced (in recess of) 02/19/2026 and referred to Executive Departments and Administration HJ 5 P. 127
  7. Mar 18, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 03/18/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  8. Mar 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 03/18/2026 01:00 pm GP 231
  9. Mar 18, 2026HouseCommittee Report: Ought to Pass 03/18/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC)
  10. Apr 9, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA VV 04/09/2026 HJ 10 P. 13
  11. May 14, 2026HouseEnrolled (in recess of) 05/14/2026 HJ 13 P. 147
  12. May 14, 2026SenEnrolled Adopted, VV, (In recess 05/14/2026); SJ 13
  13. May 28, 2026SenSigned by the Governor on 05/28/2026; Chapter 107; Effective 07/27/2026

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.