The bill mandates the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to conduct a feasibility study on implementing criminal background checks for adult applicants in the Emergency Assistance Family Shelter Program. This study will evaluate the necessary federal approvals, projected costs, and potential obstacles to conducting these checks through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). The EOHLC is required to submit a report summarizing the findings by July 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill introduces new requirements for adult applicants, including the disclosure of all prior criminal convictions and pending charges for serious crimes, while excluding sealed or expunged convictions. Failure to disclose required information or consent to the background check will result in ineligibility for benefits.

The bill also outlines the operational and fiscal implications of implementing NCIC background checks, estimating startup costs between $430,000 and $765,000, with annual operating costs ranging from $2.6 million to $4.1 million. It emphasizes the need for a secure data platform for processing these checks, which will require significant technological investments. Individual fees for conducting NCIC checks will range from $35 to $55 per applicant, contributing to an annual cost of approximately $481,250 to $756,250. The implementation of these background checks is contingent upon new state legislation and federal approval from the FBI, which may lead to increased wait times for shelter placement due to the processing time required for background checks.