JOIN US IN
MODIFYING THE FCRA TO
PROTECT THE VULNERABLE
THE PROBLEM
Background Checks are governed by federal law: the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Currently, the FCRA limits the reportability of non-convictions to 7 years, while convictions may be reported regardless of the passage of time. Criminal behavior may involve an arrest without a conviction for various reasons:
-deferred adjudications;
-expired statutes of limitation (time period within which prosecution must ensue);
-family members fail to press charges;
-dismissal – parent refuses to participate;
-dismissal – victim declines to testify or is non-verbal; or
-any disposition that falls short of actual conviction.
Records related to non-convictions are critically important, and largely unavailable under current law: Non-Convictions are reportable within 7 years, only.
The link below lists non-convictions (redacted) not otherwise reportable under current federal law. Clearly, this information is relevant.
Organizations serving children and vulnerable populations need this information without current limitations (7 years).
THE SOLUTION
We want to change federal law to allow organizations serving children and vulnerable populations access to valuable records without a 7-year limitation. For all other employers who do not serve children or vulnerable populations, existing law will remain in effect. ​
The links below describe a proposed pathway forward.
WE SUPPORT CHANGE
