NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Senior CJIS Mgr. Kerry K. Creach
Q5082 (573) 526-6318
Or
Crim. Hist. Specialist Linda S. Vercelli
(573) 526-6345
May 2, 2008
EMPHASIS: Highway Patrol Schedules Criminal History Background Check Symposiums

Colonel James F. Keathley, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to make the public aware of several criminal history symposiums scheduled during the summer 2008. These symposiums are in response to the growing interest and desire to obtain criminal history record information for individuals applying for positions of trust with children, elderly, or persons with disabilities, and are open to the public. The symposiums will take place in several locations throughout the state and will be provided by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Criminal Records and Identification Division. The symposiums are designed to educate and assist the general public on the methods of obtaining criminal history background checks in the state of Missouri as well as nationally through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Symposium Highlights:

The state of Missouri has requested access to implement background checks under the authority of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The FBI has granted approval for Missouri to process fingerprint-based civil background checks for private elementary and secondary schools as well as public educational agencies. Under the authority of Section 153 of the Adam Walsh Act, private elementary and secondary schools will have added resources to make sound employment decisions regarding individuals employed by, under consideration for employment, or in positions working with or around children in the school or agency. These new resources will enable Missouri to better protect its most vulnerable citizens.

In addition to the Adam Walsh Act, a new program, the Missouri Volunteer and Employee Criminal History Service (MoVECHS), will allow both state and national background checks from non-governmental entities for persons who work or volunteer with children, the elderly, or the disabled. This initiative, authorized by the National Child Protection Act (NCPA), Volunteers for Children Act (VCA), will allow for criminal record checks to be processed through the Highway Patrol’s Criminal Records and Identification Division. This program provides qualified entities a means to thoroughly screen their current or prospective employees and volunteers.

MoVECHS was modeled after a highly successful program developed in Florida known as the Florida VECHS program. One proponent of the Florida VECHS program is Universal Studios, which uses federal and state criminal history information as a component of their screening mechanism on prospective employees.

The mission of the MoVECHS program is to protect children, the elderly, and the disabled. Through the MoVECHS program, Highway Patrol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will provide qualified entities (not individuals) in Missouri the state and national criminal history record information on applicants, employees, and volunteers.

Generally, to be qualified to participate in the MoVECHS program, a business or organization (public, private, for profit, not-for-profit, or voluntary) must provide some type of care, placement, or educational services for children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities as patients or residents, including a business or organization that licenses or certifies others to provide care or placement services, even if only as a limited part of the entity’s overall business. Once qualified to participate in the program, an entity may request criminal history information on all its current and prospective employees and volunteers, not only those who work with vulnerable persons.

The MoVECHS program is not available to organizations currently required or authorized to obtain criminal history record information on their employees and/or volunteers under other statutory provisions. Those organizations must continue to follow the statutory mandates that specifically apply to them.

Additional Symposium Topics Include:

· Roles Of The Missouri State Highway Patrol And The FBI In The Criminal History Process
· Advancements In Biometric Identification And Record Response Methods
· Name-based vs. Fingerprint-based Criminal Record Checks
· “Sunshine Law” Requirements Specific To Open And Closed Criminal History Information
· Federal Dissemination Policy
· Fingerprint Errors And Resubmission Policy
· State And Federal Criminal History Record Responses
· Interpreting A Record Of Arrest And Prosecution (RAP Sheet)
· Criminal Record Expungement Processes
· Audit Procedures And Requirements
· Electronic Fingerprint Capture Processes -- MOAPS And Integrated Biometric Technology
· The Family Care Safety Registry (Department Of Health And Senior Services)
· Sex Offender Registry Information

The cost for each symposium is $20 per person and must be paid in advance. Payment of fee(s) should be in the form of check or money order payable to “MISSOURI STATE TROOPERS ASSOCIATION”. Symposiums are scheduled from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day with registration beginning at 8 a.m.

Scheduled symposiums include:

Wednesday, June 11, 2008, Jefferson City -- St. Joseph Cathedral Undercroft, 2305 W. Main Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109. Deadline for registration is June 4, 2008.

Thursday, June 19, 2008, Lee’s Summit -- Lee’s Summit High School, Performing Arts Theater, 400 SE Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Deadline for registration is June 12, 2008.

Thursday, July 10, 2008, St. Peters, -- St. Peters City Hall, Room AB, One St. Peters Centre Boulevard, St. Peters, MO 63376. Deadline for registration is July 3, 2008.

Registration forms are available from the MSHP home page. Select the link that states “Up And Coming Events”. This will direct you to the Criminal Records and Identification home page. Interested participants should complete a registration form and mail the completed form with payment to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Records and Identification Division, Criminal History Background Check Symposium, Post Office Box 9500, Jefferson City, MO 65102-9500.

For additional information or further questions, please contact the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Records and Identification Division, at (573) 526-6345 or e-mail MOVECHS@mshp.dps.mo.gov.




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