In an effort to protect families and businesses from convicted felons, violent criminals, and sexual predators, U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) today reintroduced legislation that would allow professional installers of emergency and security alarm systems and monitoring security personnel access to federal background checks before hiring potential employees.

The Electronic Life Safety and Security System Federal Background Check Act allows the industry to interact with the FBI in order to obtain criminal history information that might bear on the appropriateness of a potential hire. Congress has authorized similar access in the past to groups such as banks, credit unions, private security guards and others. Luetkemeyer sponsored similar legislation in 2011.

“It is simply an outrage that a potential felon has access to a citizen’s home, business, or even a place like a child daycare center without an employer knowing his or her record,” Luetkemeyer said. “States are unable to keep up on crimes committed from one state to another, and many private background check services do not capture a complete FBI criminal history on which to base a hiring judgment and that is why we need this legislation.”

Americans do not want a person with a questionable criminal background gaining access to child daycare centers, schools, public pools, chemical plants, water and nuclear facilities, banks, hospitals, port facilities, air terminals and installing the systems which help to keep them safe.  For example, an installer could set up a surveillance system at a day care and monitor that day care through a computer at a different location.

The legislation is not a government mandate, but simply offers the electronic life safety and security system industry access to the same background information that is currently available to other groups.