Bill would let state police oversight boards run federal background checks
In committeeS. 1712Latest action
Sponsor: Jerry Moran · Senator · KS
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Criminal History Access Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Crime & justice
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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S 1712 would authorize state POST agencies to access FBI criminal records when certifying or removing law enforcement officers.
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What does this do?
S 1712 would add state POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) agencies to the list of entities legally authorized to access federal FBI criminal history records. Currently, federal law does not clearly permit these agencies to query the national database. The Attorney General would be required to update federal regulations within 180 days of enactment to reflect the change.
Who does it affect?
The bill directly affects POST agencies in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. Current and prospective law enforcement officers are also affected, as their federal criminal histories could be reviewed more readily by these oversight bodies.
Why does it matter?
State agencies deciding whether to certify, license, or remove a police officer would gain a clearer legal pathway to check federal criminal records as part of that process. Residents are not directly affected but have an indirect stake in how law enforcement officers are screened and held accountable.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 12, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · May 12, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.