ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
adoption; fingerprint
screening; expedited processing
Permits
electronic transmission of prospective adoptive parent fingerprints to the
Department of Public Safety (DPS) when technology is available. Requires DPS to
electronically transmit applicant fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI).
Over
the past three years federal and state laws were enacted to encourage
permanency for children in the foster care system through expedited
processes. Laws 1999, Chapter 347
reduced the average length of time for adoption from 20 months to 9 months. The major remaining barrier to the process
is the turnaround time for fingerprint processing for criminal background
checks. It currently takes around 30 days for local DPS clearance and another 4
to 6 weeks for federal FBI clearance. With electronic transmission of
fingerprints, DPS projects local clearance in 22 days and FBI clearance in
another 3 days.
The
electronic fingerprints now obtained by the Department of Economic Security
(DES) for identification purposes are not appropriate for transmission to DPS
and the FBI, since only one digit is captured.
The DPS and FBI require all 10 digits for criminal background
checks. A recently developed portable
unit to scan full fingerprints has an estimated cost of $25,000 to $35,000
each.
DPS
electronically transmits fingerprints to the FBI for criminal arrests only. A new Gateway Service Provider (GPS III)
must be completed before the interface software can be developed for applicant
fingerprints to be electronically transmitted.
According to DPS, GPS III installation is scheduled for completion in
December 2001, with an initial cost of approximately $2.8 million for one-time
programming and purchasing new equipment.
The second year cost projected by DPS, primarily for 14 additional
employees, is approximately $946,000.
1. Allows DES, an adoption agency, an officer of the court or a designee of one of these to transmit to DPS an electronic fingerprint from a prospective adoptive parent if the technology is available.
2. Requires DPS to transmit electronic fingerprints to the FBI.
3. Contains technical and conforming changes.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 26, 2001