OLR Bill Analysis

SB 1096

AN ACT CONCERNING FINGERPRINTING METHODS USED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to take immediate steps to provide electronic fingerprinting services to a person applying for a driver's license or endorsement required to drive vehicles transporting passengers, if the submission of fingerprints is a prerequisite to determine any criminal history. After DMV has taken fingerprints and submitted them to the appropriate law enforcement agency, the bill requires DMV to proceed with all other license and endorsement requirements while awaiting the fingerprinting results.

DMV's current practice is to proceed with the testing and other required procedures for issuing a public service license or endorsement only after the applicant has cleared the criminal history check.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon passage

BACKGROUND

Fingerprints and Criminal History Checks

By law (CGS § 14-44), anyone operating a (1) commercial motor vehicle used for passenger transportation; (2) school bus, student transportation vehicle, or activity vehicle; (3) taxicab, motor vehicle in livery service, motor bus, or service bus must have a license issued by DMV with an endorsement appropriate for the type of vehicle being driven. A criminal history record check is one of the requirements for such drivers and an applicant must provide fingerprints to DMV for the record check.

COMMITTEE ACTION

Transportation Committee

Joint Favorable