CS/HB 1551 — Florida State Guard
by Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee and Rep. Giallombardo and others (SB 7058 by Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (GO)
The bill sets forth the process for applicants to the Florida State Guard to undergo criminal history checks prior to joining the Florida State Guard. The bill requires each applicant to submit fingerprints to the Division of the State Guard (division). These fingerprints are forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to complete a state criminal history check. The fingerprints are forwarded by FDLE to the Federal Bureau of Investigation to conduct a national criminal history check. The Department of Military Affairs must, and the division may, review the results from the checks to determine whether the applicant meets the standards to be a member of the Florida State Guard.
The division is required to pay all applicable fees for these criminal history checks. The total costs incurred by the division is expected to be no more than $100,000.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 106-7