Background Check Legislation Takes Huge Step Forward in U.S. Senate

Background Check Legislation Takes Huge Step Forward in U.S. Senate
Monday, September 17, 2012  

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Posted by: Bob Ogle

The Electronic Security Association is pleased to announce that a major legislative priority for the association – gaining access to the FBI’s database for criminal background checks of potential security industry employees – has cleared a major hurdle in the U.S. Senate.Language from the “Electronic Life Safety and Security Systems Federal Background Check Act” was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Sept. 13 as an amendment to another bill, the “Child Protection Improvements Act.” For Immediate Release PRESS RELEASEESA Media ContactsLaurie KnoxVice President,Communications & Public RelationsPhone: (888) 447-1689 ext. 6825E-mail: [email protected] OgleCommunications SpecialistPhone: (888) 447-1689 ext. 6813E-mail: [email protected] TierneyCommunications CoordinatorPhone: (888) 447-1689 ext. 6811E-mail: [email protected] Check Legislation Takes Huge Step Forward in U.S. SenateJudiciary Committee Clears Language That Would Allow Access to FBI DatabaseIrving, Texas (Sept. 17, 2012) — The Electronic Security Association is pleased to announce that a major legislative priority for the association – gaining access to the FBI’s database for criminal background checks of potential security industry employees – has cleared a major hurdle in the U.S. Senate.Language from the “Electronic Life Safety and Security Systems Federal Background Check Act” was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Sept. 13 as an amendment to another bill, the “Child Protection Improvements Act.” That bill, S. 645, now includes the language as a separate provision. The entire measure is expected to head to the floor of the Senate, where it can be scheduled for a vote. The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a Judiciary Committee member and the sponsor of S. 1319.ESA Director of Government Relations John Chwat said that Sen. Schumer has promised to fight on behalf of ESA and the electronic security industry to get the bill scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor as soon as possible, given the compressed time frame remaining in this session of Congress. Congress typically adjourns in mid-December.If the bill passes the Senate, it would then move to the House for a vote before it could move to President Obama for signature into law. It would be the culmination of years of intensive ESA efforts to give electronic security companies the same access to background checks that is currently available to other industries, including banks, credit unions, aviation, and nursing and home healthcare.Chwat praised the participation of ESA members and chartered chapters in getting the measure through the Senate. In particular, he said, Illinois Electronic Security Association (IESA) Executive Director Kevin Lehan led a grass-roots effort among the chapter’s members to generate letters and phone calls of support to Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), who had expressed some concerns about the bill.”ESA utilized the strength of its members to get this legislation through the committee, which was the first obstacle to overcome,” Chwat said. “Networking by the IESA was instrumental in our success through their contacts with Sen. Durbin. ESA members and chapters deserve a huge amount of credit in this first-step victory. It was a great grass-roots effort that we will build upon to finally secure passage of ESA’s effort to access the FBI’s Federal background check system.”More information is available by contacting Chwat’s office at (703) 684-6594, or via e-mail at [email protected]. ABOUT ESA Established in 1948, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is the largest trade association representing the electronic life safety and security industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. In cooperation with an alliance of chapter associations, ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. ESA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at www.ESAweb.org. You are receiving this press release as a courtesy of the Electronic Security Association (ESA). If you do not wish to receive future news releases, please reply with “REMOVE” in the subject line. If you prefer to receive information in a different format, or as an attachment, or if you need additional information, please contact the Communications Department.Electronic Security Association6333 N. State Highway 161, Suite 350 • Irving, TX 75038Toll Free (888) 447-1689 • Local (972) 807-6800 • Fax (972) 807-6883 All content 2012 © Electronic Security Association, Inc.