This bill mandates background checks for employees, contractors, directors, and partners of private companies that program and maintain electronic ballot counting machines in New Hampshire. It introduces a new section, RSA 656:40-a, which requires these companies to assign employee identification numbers and cards to all personnel involved in programming or maintaining the machines. Additionally, the companies must submit a monthly list of these employees to the Secretary of State and Attorney General, which will be publicly accessible on the Secretary of State's website. The bill also stipulates that the Attorney General will conduct criminal background checks, including fingerprint-based checks, and that the costs of these investigations will be borne by the distributors.

Furthermore, the bill amends RSA 91-A:5, IV to allow public inspection of the criminal records of employees and officers involved with the electronic ballot counting devices, thereby enhancing transparency. It also requires that employees be covered by an adequate bond, the amount of which will be determined by the Secretary of State. The bill does not provide funding for the implementation of these requirements, and the estimated costs for additional personnel to manage the background checks and related tasks could range from $222,000 to $500,000, depending on various factors such as turnover rates and compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 91-A:5