The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 486, aims to enhance the security measures surrounding access to federal tax information by requiring criminal background checks for employees and contractors involved in such positions. The bill repeals and replaces Section 5-207a of the general statutes, mandating that agencies with custody of federal tax information require applicants and current employees to disclose any criminal convictions or pending charges, and to undergo fingerprinting and state and national criminal history checks. Notably, the bill stipulates that these checks must be conducted at least every five years, ensuring ongoing compliance and security.

Additionally, the bill extends these requirements to contractors and subcontractors who access federal tax information, mandating that they and their employees also undergo the same background checks prior to starting work and every five years thereafter. The legislation removes previous language that allowed for more frequent checks based on federal requirements, thereby standardizing the interval for all individuals with access to sensitive tax information. The overall intent of the bill is to bolster the integrity and safety of federal tax information handling within state employment and contracted services.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 5-207a