Tag: fingerprinting

Categories
VECHS Program

Fingerprinting and Background Checks on Athletic Coaches in Florida

We have been fingerprinting the staff in several recreation centers and municipalities throughout the South Florida. Employed and Volunteering athletic coaches were among the individuals we screened for Level II clearance. For general view and considerations we elected to post the law on required screening for athletic coaches in Florida.

Florida Statute 943.0438 Athletic coaches for independent sanctioning authorities.—

 

(1) As used in this section, the term:

(a) “Athletic coach” means a person who:

 

1. Is authorized by an independent sanctioning authority to work for 20 or more hours within a calendar year, whether for compensation or as a volunteer, for a youth athletic team based in this state; and

2. Has direct contact with one or more minors on the youth athletic team.

 

(b) “Independent sanctioning authority” means a private, nongovernmental entity that organizes, operates, or coordinates a youth athletic team in this state if the team includes one or more minors and is not affiliated with a private school as defined in s. 1002.01.

(2) An independent sanctioning authority shall:

 

(a)1. Conduct a background screening of each current and prospective athletic coach. No person shall be authorized by the independent sanctioning authority to act as an athletic coach after July 1, 2010, unless a background screening has been conducted and did not result in disqualification under paragraph (b). background screenings shall be conducted annually for each athletic coach. For purposes of this section, a background screening shall be conducted with a search of the athletic coach’s name or other identifying information against state and federal registries of sexual predators and sexual offenders, which are available to the public on Internet sites provided by:

 

a. The Department of Law Enforcement under s. 943.043; and

b. The Attorney General of the United States under 42 U.S.C. s. 16920.

 

2. For purposes of this section, a background screening conducted by a commercial consumer reporting agency in compliance with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act using the identifying information referenced in subparagraph 1. and that includes searching that information against the sexual predator and sexual offender Internet sites listed in sub-subparagraphs 1.a. and b. shall be deemed in compliance with the requirements of this section.

 

(b) Disqualify any person from acting as an athletic coach if he or she is identified on a registry described in paragraph (a).

(c) Provide, within 7 business days following the background screening under paragraph (a), written notice to a person disqualified under this section advising the person of the results and of his or her disqualification.

(d) Maintain documentation of:

 

1. The results for each person screened under paragraph (a); and

2. The written notice of disqualification provided to each person under paragraph (c).

 

(3) In a civil action for the death of, or injury or damage to, a third person caused by the intentional tort of an athletic coach that relates to alleged sexual misconduct by the athletic coach, there is a rebuttable presumption that the independent sanctioning authority was not negligent in authorizing the athletic coach if the authority complied with the background screening and disqualification requirements of subsection (2) prior to such authorization.

(4) The Legislature encourages independent sanctioning authorities for youth athletic teams to participate in the Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System, as authorized by the National Child Protection Act of 1993 and s. 943.0542.

Most commonly athletic coaches are screened through FDLE’s VECHS program, and in few cases cities had used own ORI numbers. If the community or recreational organization where you work or volunteer needs the proper background screening for coaches and volunteers, please contact IDENTICO today with all livescan fingerprinting or drug screening needs.

 

IDENTICO LLC is FDLE authorized Live Scan vendor serving South Florida.  With any question related to Level 2 background screening please call us at (954) 239-8590 or visit us online at www.myidentico.com for more information. We provide mobile fingerprinting services and would come to your facility to fingerprint any size groups. Visit our office located at 3948 Pembroke Road, Suite E, Pembroke Park, FL, 33021 for all fingerprinting, background screening or drug testing needs.

Categories
VECHS Program

FDLE VECHS program for private schools. Background screening on teachers and school volunteers

If your organization is a private school in need for criminal history search on staff and volunteers, or maybe background checks are required for your school in order to participate in scholarship programs, then VECHS program run by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is exactly what you need.

 

VECHS (Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System) program had been established by FDLE to assist with checking the background of persons who work or volunteer with children, the elderly, or the disabled under the National Child Protection Act (1993), as amended, and section 943.0542, Florida Statutes (1999). VECHS program is created for entities not required to obtain Level 2 background screening clearance according to statutory provision.

 

First of all contact The Florida Department of Education (DOE) Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice and verify who exactly in your organization is required to be fingerprinted. Next step is the enrollment into VECHS program and this is how you do it. Private schools are authorized to participate in FDLE’s Volunteer and Employee Criminal History System (VECHS) because of the service they offer to Children. VECHS is a voluntary program — however; under the provisions of Section 1002.421, F.S., private schools participating in scholarship programs must conduct criminal history record checks on employees and contracted personnel. Those criminal history checks will be conducted through the FDLE VECHS program.

 

Enrollment materials include the VECHS Application and User Agreement. Both of these documents must be submitted to FDLE via mail as they must be signed by the appropriate school authority. The forms may be printed from the internet, completed, signed and mailed to FDLE.FDLE will mail these forms to private schools upon request.

 

Here is the description of what is involved in screening process after your entity is signed up. You will be provided with a packet of information from the VECHS program. It will include:

A cover letter giving your account numbers to use. These are your Qualified Entity Numbers. One is for employees and contracted personnel and the other is for volunteers. While s. 1002.421, F.S. indicates that, in order to receive scholarship money, employees and contracted personnel must submit fingerprints, some schools may want to check volunteers as well. Using the volunteer entity number for checking volunteers will result in a reduced fee.

 

Forms and information for submitting fingerprints electronically. These forms are required regardless of whether your private school purchases a livescan device or if the employees and contracted personnel go to a “service provider” or another livescan device owner and have the fingerprints taken and submitted by this company.

 

Fingerprint cards and instructions on how to complete them. As of July 1, 2007, submissions for employees and contracted personnel must be made electronically. You have the choice of continuing to submit your volunteers via hard card fingerprint card or you can submit them electronically.

 

A Private Schools Waiver Agreement and Statement to be signed by each employee, contracted person or volunteer that you submit.

Contacts for criminal record repositories in other states which are useful in obtaining additional criminal history information.

Florida Clerks of Court and their contact information. This contact information may be needed when there is an arrest in Florida but the criminal record does not indicate whether the offender was convicted.

Instructions as to how a person can obtain his or her own criminal record for review and possible correction, which may be given to an employee, contracted person or volunteer.

 

A sample dissemination log which must be used if a private school shares criminal history information with another private school. Private schools may NOT share criminal history information with any VECHS entities except other private schools registered with VECHS. Private schools are the only VECHS entities authorized to receive sealed information and expunge notifications.

 

Similarly, private schools may not use criminal history results obtained for employees or contracted personnel for volunteers or vice versa. If a volunteer becomes an employee, that person’s fingerprints should be submitted again under the Employee Qualified Entity Number; the volunteer results should NOT be used to screen the candidate as an employee. Likewise, employee results should not be used to screen a person for a volunteer position. The rules for criminal history information sharing are included in the User Agreement, signed by all private schools participating in the VECHS program.

 

∗ Reminders of important provisions regarding the VECHS program.

∗ Fingerprint card submission checklist.

∗ Results definitions.

∗Instructions for procedures for “name‐based” searches from the FBI to be used when the subject’s fingerprints are rejected twice based on poor fingerprint quality.

 

Another question, what does the law mean when it says that fingerprints must be submitted electronically?

As of July 1, 2007, s. 1002.421, F.S. requires all fingerprint submissions for employees and contracted personnel be made electronically. Fingerprints submitted “electronically” are fingerprints taken on a “livescan” device and submitted electronically to FDLE. It can also include fingerprints taken with ink on a hard copy fingerprint card that are subsequently scanned and submitted electronically to FDLE. These electronic submissions are processed through FDLE’s Civil Workflow Control System.

 

Go ahead and ask, what is the Civil Workflow Control System (CWCS)?

The Civil Workflow Control System (CWCS), pronounced “QUICKS”, is an automated system used to receive process and respond to electronic applicant submissions. Processing that once took several weeks with fingerprint cards now takes 24 – 72 hours with electronic submissions. CWCS allows different types of applicants to be scanned on a single device and allows input from a variety of livescan devices that adhere to FDLE and FBI standards and requirements.

 

Very natural question you may have, so what do I need to do to start submitting electronically?

 

∗ First, you must already be a registered VECHS entity.

∗ Second, you must complete the CWCS VECHS Customer Registration Form and return it to FDLE. Once the information is registered in our systems, you will receive an e‐mail notification that you can start submitting electronically.

∗ Third, you must make arrangement to be fingerprinted on a livescan device

 

You may ask where can I get fingerprinted on a livescan device and submit electronically.

 

Private schools have the following options in submitting fingerprints electronically:

∗ Purchase own livescan device. While the cost may be prohibitive it can be cost effective depending on the number of submissions necessary for your school.

∗ Use “service providers” like IDENTICO LLC to submit fingerprints electronically on your behalf.

∗ Inquire to other livescan device owners, such as local school boards, if they are willing to assist with your electronic submissions.

 

We know the biggest question you have, what are the costs associated with criminal history record checks for private school employees and contracted personnel?

The fee may vary from vendor to vendor, but certainly consider IDENTICO LLC as the most competitive livescan vendor with aggressive pricing. Our standard individual VECHS Employee screening rate is $54.25 and  VECHS Volunteer screening rate is only $47.25. There are some discounts available for larger groups, and it worth to consider since there is no traveling fee for groups of 10 or more employees at single location. We’ll come to you and fingerprint all teachers and volunteers with convenience and efficiency you haven’t seen before.

 

So you paid for the screening and fingerprinting, and you want to know how would you receive and view the criminal history results after submitting electronically?

Criminal history results for electronic submissions are posted to FDLE’s secure mail application called “CertifiedMail”. Once the criminal history results are ready, the private school will receive an e‐mail notification, containing the link to the application. The viewing of criminal history results will occur within this secure application.

 

There are several more frequently asked questions on fingerprinting for private schools in Florida; therefore our further questions will be in FAQ format.

 

What is meant by “retention of applicant fingerprints for reverse searches” and “arrest hit notifications”?

Section 1002.421, F.S. instructs FDLE to retain fingerprints submitted by the private school on or after July 1, 2007. Incoming Florida arrest fingerprints are searched against these retained private school fingerprints. If a fingerprint match is made on an individual, FDLE notifies the private school that the employee or contracted person was arrested, and provides the name of the county where the arrest occurred as well as contact information for the arresting agency. It is important to note fingerprints submitted prior to July 1, 2007, were not retained

 

What are the fees associated with the retention of prints?

The fee for the retention of applicant fingerprints is $6 per year per applicant. The retention of the fingerprints eliminates the necessity to have a future state criminal history record recheck at a cost of $24, since all incoming Florida arrest information is continuously compared to the retained applicant database. If a recheck is required, it would only need to be for a national criminal history record check.

 

To whom may my private school release criminal history information?

With the permission of the applicant, the criminal history information may be shared with other private schools registered with VECHS. Each VECHS private school agrees to only release criminal history information after confirming with FDLE the private school to which they are releasing the information is a current, registered VECHS entity. Such dissemination of criminal history information must be logged by noting what record was released, to whom it was released, and on what date it was released. Also, private schools are required to release the criminal history information to the Department of Education personnel consistent with the applicant’s approval on the waiver form.

 

Are owners under the same requirements as private school employees and contracted personnel?

The provisions in s.1002.42(2)(c)1, F.S., were not changed. Private school owners must have fingerprints taken and sent to FDLE for a state‐level criminal history record check upon taking ownership. FDLE will return the state criminal record or an indication that there is not a state record to the school so that it can be made available for public inspection and sent by the school to DOE. The owner fingerprint submissions must be on a fingerprint card that clearly indicates, “State check only”.

 

The owner’s fingerprint submission may not be submitted with the VECHS account information. If state and national criminal record checks are required as a part of scholarship funding, the owner will have to submit under VECHS in addition to the State Level check defined in s.1002.42 (2)(c) 1 F.S.

 

Now let us explain the definition of the word Criminal History Background Check: The term “background check” has been used interchangeably with “criminal history check” or “criminal history background check” which has caused some confusion. From the FDLE perspective, a background check is a criminal history record check to determine if a person has been arrested and/or convicted of a crime. Although some companies use the phrase background check to include drivers record checks, credit checks, or interviews with neighbors and employers, for purposes of this paper, it includes the search of following databases:

∗ The Florida Computerized Criminal History Central Repository for Florida Arrests (STATE CHECK);

∗ The Florida Computerized Criminal History Central Repository for Florida arrests AND the national criminal history database at the FBI for federal arrests and arrests from other states (STATE AND NATIONAL CHECK)

∗ The Florida Crime Information Center for warrants and domestic violence injunctions (HOT FILES CHECK)

 

The national check is based on the submission of fingerprints. For State checks, submissions maybe based on a name (or descriptors) or fingerprints.

Level 1 and Level 2 Background checks: Level 1 and Level 2 Background Checks are terms used in Florida Statutes to convey the method of the criminal record check and the extent of the data searched, however, the terms may also refer to certain disqualifying offenses if certain statutes are used as reference. Level 1 and Level 2 are terms that pertain only to Florida and are not used by the FBI or other states. They are defined in Chapter 435, F.S., but are used elsewhere in statute without definition and appear not to be associated with all of the provisions in chapter 435.

 

∗ Level 1 generally refers to state only name based check AND an employment history check

∗ Level 2 generally refers to a state and national fingerprint based check and consideration of disqualifying offenses, and applies to those employees designated by law as holding positions of responsibility or trust. Section 435.04, mandates that Level 2 background security investigations be conducted on employees, defined as individuals required by law to be fingerprinted pursuant to Chapter 435

 

It should be noted that both the state and national criminal history databases can be searched for arrests, warrants, and other information pertaining to an individual, however neither database has the capability of searching for specific offenses on an individual records

 

What is the difference between the National Child Protection Act and Volunteers for Children Act?

Names you may hear that refer to the same federal law and its amendment are as follows: the National Child Protection Act, the Foley Act, and the Volunteers for Children Act. These laws are sometimes named for sponsors or persons who supported the new laws or amendments. For the purposes of the available criminal history information, these different names refer to the same basic law. Section 943.0542 of the 1999 Florida Statutes was enacted to implement this Federal legislation.

 

On what legislation the VECHS program based?

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement initiated the VECHS program in 1999, after the Florida Legislature enacted section 943.0542 of the Florida Statutes (1999). This statute is based upon the National Child Protection Act (NCPA), as amended. The federal guidelines for the NCPA offer further interpretations of the NCPA, along with mandates for states that chose to implement corresponding legislation and programs.

The federal guidelines apply to the interpretation of our legislation in Florida, and therefore, to the implementation of the VECHS program. Although FDLE desires to offer the broadest services and protection available under the authorizing legislation, we are not permitted to expand the coverage of the governing laws.

 

Please visit http://www.myidentico.com/answers-to-all-frequently-asked-questions-about-vechs-program/ for more details on VECHS program.

As FDLE authorized live scan vendor IDENTICO LLC does everything possible to support children and student safety in the communities and schools. If you are the entity approved to use VECHS screening, please contact us with any questions or quote requests. We’ll do everything possible to keep the cost of services affordable and the quality above standards. Please call (954) 239-8590/ toll-free (888) 988-8969 or visit our official webpage for more information on all background screening and fingerprinting needs.

 

Sincerely,

 

IDENTICO LLC.

Categories
Live Scan Fingerprinting in Florida (General)

Electronic Fingerprinting Frequently Asked Questions

Applicants for Florida State Agencies Level 2 Background Check Clearance can use any Livescan vendor that has been approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to submit their fingerprints to the department. Please ensure that the Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number is provided to the vendor when you submit your fingerprints. If you do not provide an ORI number or if you provide an incorrect ORI number to the vendor, the requesting regulatory agency will not receive your fingerprint results. The applicants are fully responsible for selecting the vendor, and IDENTICO– FDLE approved live scan vendor can assist you with determination that submission of the fingerprints is made to the proper state agency.

 

1. How do I find a Livescan vendor in order to submit my fingerprints to the department?
If you are reading this post, you already found one. IDENTICO is FDLE approved livescan vendor, but for the list of livescan vendors near you please visit

 

http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/Content/getdoc/941d4e90-131a-45ef-8af3-3c9d4efefd8e/Livescan-Service-Providers-and-Device-Vendors.aspx#Service_Providers.

 

2.What information must I provide to the Livescan vendor I choose?
a) If you are an applicant seeking a level 2 clearance with AHCA, DCF, DOEA or applying for license for any profession regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, which requires a criminal background search as a condition of licensure, you must provide accurate demographic information at the time your fingerprints are taken, including your Social Security number. AHCA, DCF, DBPR and most other state agencies will not be able to process the submission that does not include your Social Security number (except for DBPR Liquor & Tobacco license applicants that are not citizens of the United States).
b) Please make sure that you clearly identify the profession or Agency whose clearance or license you are seeking and submit your fingerprints payment to the live scan vendor. Any inaccurate information that you provide could cause a delay in processing your request.
c) You must provide the correct ORI number

 

3. Where do I get the ORI number to submit to the vendor?
Requesting state agency shall provide you with ORI# number, but in most cases we in IDENTICO have the correct ORI# numbers for the required submission.
FDLE will only retain the criminal results from applicants for a period of six months from the date the fingerprints were rolled. Applicants for DBPR should submit their applications soon after submitting their fingerprints in order to afford themselves an opportunity to resolve any application deficiencies prior to the expiration of the criminal history results.

 

4. How does the electronic fingerprinting process actually work?
In the traditional method of fingerprinting, ink is applied to each of your fingers which are then “rolled” across a fingerprint card to obtain your prints. With electronic fingerprinting also known as live scan fingerprinting, there is no ink or card. Your fingerprints are “rolled” across a glass plate and scanned. It is faster and cleaner than the traditional method. Electronic fingerprinting reduces the likelihood of illegible fingerprints and will reduce the overall application processing time.

 

5. How long will it take to have my fingerprints scanned?
It should only take approximately 5-10 minutes.

 

6. How much does electronic fingerprinting cost?
The total fee charged by each vendor varies. Please contact IDENTICO to obtain this information or visit

https://myidentico.com/fbi-screening.html

for the price list. The fingerprint results are usually received by the requesting state agency in two to four days after your fingerprints are scanned.

 

7. What do I need to bring with me to the Florida electronic fingerprinting site?
All applicants will be required to bring two (2) forms of identification to the electronic fingerprinting site on the day of fingerprinting. One of the two types of identification must bear your picture and signature such as a driver’s license, state identification card or passport.

 

8. I submitted my fingerprint through an FDLE approved vendor, but I have now received a deficiency letter regarding my fingerprints or my employer did not receive any results of my screening? What should I do?

As of the date of the mailing of the deficiency letter, your electronic fingerprinting results have not been transmitted to requesting agency or were submitted with information not matching you application with employer or information on file at licensing agency. Don’t take a chance and don’t use the questionable vendors. Contact few vendors with your questions and see whether customer service is knowledgeable, speaks your language, and can guarantee the timely and correct submission. IDENTICO should be the vendor of your choice, feel free to ask for our referrals, credentials or experience. Call us today (954) 239-8590 or visit our official page at www.myidentico.com

 

9. What should I do if I am notified by regulatory state agency that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement or the Federal Bureau of Investigation determined my electronic fingerprints were illegible?
The electronic fingerprint scanning machines are equipped to determine if your fingerprints scanned successfully; however, if it is determined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that your prints were not legible, regulatory state agency will send you a notification letter asking you to go back to the same vendor that did your initial prints and schedule a re-roll of your prints. You will be required to bring the notification letter with you as information such as the TCN (Transaction Control Number) and TCR (Transaction Control Reference) must be identified and used at the time of the reroll. There  re-roll of your fingerprints is free at IDENTICO when you provide the TCR# number.

 

10. How long are my fingerprints valid for?
Each Florida agency retain the results of prints for a various time frame. The clearance with AHCA, DCF or APD is valid for 5 years, and re-screening is required every 5 years. DBPR will retain the results of the prints for 24 months (12 months for Real Estate/Real Estate Appraisers) from the date your digital fingerprints were electronically received by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE retains the prints for 180 days only. If your prints have expired at the time your application is submitted to the licensing agency, you will be required to submit new prints again.

 

11. Can I use my recent prints to apply for another professional license?
Your prints cannot be shared between professions or with other agencies. You are required to have separate prints for each license you are applying for.

 

Categories
Live Scan Fingerprinting in Florida (General)

Number of changes to background screening requirements (Senate Bill CS/SB 1992, Vetoed by Governor on 06/23/2011)

Attention: The changes on Senate Bill CS/SB 1992 submitted by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs on 03/10/11 were vetoed by Governor on 06/23/2011. This law is not effective, and the summary of proposed but failed to be accepted changes are posted for your personal consideration.

 

THE FLORIDA SENATE
Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

The bill makes a number of changes to background screening requirements, primarily pertaining to individuals who work with Florida’s vulnerable populations. Those changes include:

 

  • Exempting from fingerprinting and screening requirements, mental health personnel working in a facility licensed under ch. 395, F.S., who work on an intermittent basis for less than 15 hours a week of direct, face-to-face contact with patients, except that individuals working in a mental health facility where the primary purpose is the mental health treatment of minors must be fingerprinted and meet screening requirements;
  • Revising the list of professionals to include law enforcement officers so that officers are not required to be refingerprinted or rescreened if they are working or volunteering in a capacity that would otherwise require them to be screened;
  • Exempting, from the definition of “direct service provider;” individuals who are related to the client, the client’s spouse, and volunteers who assist on an intermittent basis for less than 20 hours of direct, face-to-face contact with a client per month;
  • Exempting, from any additional Level 2 background screening requirements, an individual who was background screened pursuant to an Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) licensure requirement if they are providing a service within the scope of their licensed practice;
  • Allowing the Department of Elderly Affairs (DOEA) to adopt rules to implement a schedule to phase in the background screening of individuals serving as direct service providers on July 31, 2010. The phase in must be completed by July 1, 2012;
  • Specifying that employers of direct service providers previously qualified for employment or volunteer work under Level 1 screening standards, and individuals required to be screened according to the Level 2 screening standards, shall be rescreened every five years, except in cases where fingerprints are electronically retained and monitored by the Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE);
  • Removing a provision relating to criminal offenses that was inadvertently applied to theDOEA;
  • Requiring fingerprint vendors to meet certain technology requirements;
  • Establishing a July 1, 2013, date for retention of prints for persons screened under ch. 435, F.S.;
  • Allowing an employer to hire an employee for the purpose of training and orientation before the employee completes the screening process.  The employee may not have direct contact with vulnerable persons until the screening process is complete;
  • Providing personnel of a qualified entity, as defined in ch. 943, F.S., with the ability toapply for an exemption from disqualification from being employed;
  • Establishing a rescreening schedule for individuals required by the AHCA to be screened;
  • Requiring the Board of Nursing to waive background screening requirements for certain certified nursing assistants; and
  • Requiring the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the AHCA, the DOEA, the Department of Health, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and the Department of Law Enforcement to establish a statewide background screening workgroup, providing duties of the workgroup, and requiring a report to the Legislature by November 1, 2011.

 

If approved by the Governor, these provisions would have take effect on July 1, 2011. (Never Happened)

For a full text of the failed to pass bill CS/SB 1992, please visit http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/1992/BillText/er/PDF.

With any inquiries regarding level 2 background screening or live scan fingerprinting in South Florida, please contact IDENTICO LLC (FDLE approved live scan vendor) today. You may call us at (954) 239-8590 or (888) 988-8969. For more information please visit our official webpage www.myidentico.com or visit our location at 3948 Pembroke Road, Suite E, Pembroke Park, FL, 33021

 

Sincrely,

The team of IDENTICO LLC.

Categories
STUDENT SCREENING

IDENTICO’s Procedures for the Effective and Proper Live Scan Fingerprinting Operations

In recent years, the demand for fingerprint-based background checks for noncriminal justice purposes has increased. Fingerprinting agencies and contractors alike have expressed concern that applicants with a criminal history record may have someone pose as the applicant for fingerprinting purposes. In response to these concerns, the FBI prepared guidelines for voluntary use in the development of policy, procedures, and practices for applicant identity verification. As FDLE approved Live Scan vendor IDENTICO LLC had implemented the majority of guidelines in our operation policies.

 

Our policies:

 

1. Since the Florida state repository (FDLE) manages the processing of fingerprint submissions to the FBI, we have ascertained that appropriate coordination and liaison with FDLE is established at that level as a preliminary step toward an applicant identity verification program.

 

2. Each of our fingerprinting technicians went through extensive 2 week long training in the capture of fingerprints (rolled or flats, and electronic or manual)

 

3. Each of our fingerprinting technicians went through extensive 2 week long training before performing duties under the scope of the identity verification program, which may include recognizing and validating authorized identification forms, identification documents, and source documents for identity confirmation. Special training is intended for employees to learn how to recognize fraudulent or counterfeit documents.

 

4. IDENTICO accepts only current and valid picture identification documents. As a primary form of picture identification, a state-issued driver’s license which meets the requirements of Public Law 109-13 may be presented by an applicant when being fingerprinted. However, in the absence of the driver’s license, for those applicants without a driver’s license, a state identification card may be presented if the state’s identification card standards are the same as for the driver’s license.

 

Applicants may provide one or more secondary documents including:

• State Government Issued Certificate of Birth
• U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist Military Identification Card (000 10-2)
• U.S. Passport
• Federal Government Personal Identity Verification Card (PIV)
• Department of Defense Common Access Card
• U.S. Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification Card
• Social Security Card (Required by most regulating Florida State agencies for submission)
• Court Order for Name Change/Gender Change/Adoption/Divorce
• Marriage Certificate (Government Certificate Issued)
• U.S. Government Issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad
• Foreign Passport with Appropriate Immigration Document(s)
• Certificate of Citizenship (N560)
• Certificate of Naturalization (N550)
• INS I-551 Resident Alien Card Issued Since 1997
• INS 1-688 Temporary Resident Identification Card
• INS I-688B, I-766 Employment Authorization Card

 

When validating the authenticity of secondary identification documents and forms, the data and information may be supported by at least two of the following:
• Utility Bill (Address)
• Jurisdictional Voter Registration Card
• Vehicle Registration Card/Title
• Paycheck Stub with Name/Address
• Jurisdictional Public Assistance Card
• Spouse/Parent Affidavit
• Canceled Check or Bank Statement
• Mortgage Documents

 

When supplemental documentation does not support the validation of the original identification documents, IDENTICO may choose any or all of the following methods to validate the authenticity of the documents:

 

Physically examine the applicant’s photograph on the identification form/card. Visually compare the picture with the applicant in person.Compare the physical descriptors of the applicant to the documentation provided by the applicant. (i.e. height, weight, hair and eye color, age, etc.)
Request the applicant to verbally provide date of birth,address, etc. and check this against the identification forms used.
Check the applicant’s signature in person with that on the identification form.
Ensure that the identification form has not been altered in any manner.
Verify that the ID swipe machine readable data matches the data on the card when it is scanned.

 

5. When IDENTICO has a reason to believe an applicant has presented fraudulent information, we do not provide any services and ask applicants to contact local law enforcement agencies for assistance.

 

6. IDENTICO has implemented the form(s), which includes the following data provided by applicant:

 

a. Date of fingerprinting
b. Reason for fingerprinting
c. Printed name and signature of the applicant
d. Applicant’s employment information
e. ORI# and OCA# numbers of agency to receive fingerprints
f. Name of agency and physical address where fingerprinting was performed
g. Type of fingerprint capture (rolled ink, flat ink, live scan, etc.)
h. Applicant’s disclosure information

 

If you have any concerns, regarding our policies or service procedures, feel free to contact us anytime before visiting. We will gladly answer to all calls received at (954) 239-8590, and emails sent to info@myidentico.com. Our goal is to be compassionate and to understand each client’s needs, however our ID recognition and authentication policies are intended for public safety and fully compliant with state and federal laws.

 

Sincerely,

The team of IDENTICO LLC.

Categories
Florida Department of Elderly Affairs Background Screening

Department of Elderly Affairs Background Screening Instruction for Area Agencies on Aging

On May 26, 2010, Governor Charlie Crist signed into law House Bill (HB) 7069, creating Chapter Number 2010-114, Laws of Florida. This legislation amends various sections of Florida Statues in regard to background screening. The purpose of this Notice of Instruction is to provide Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) guidance for implementing the requirements of these changes. The bill increases Level 1 screening to Level 2 screening for persons working with vulnerable populations.


Below is a summary of HB 7069:


Employees of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and adult family care homes are required to undergo a Level 2 background screening,
pursuant to s. 408.809(1)(e): “Any person, as required by authorizing statutes, seeking employment with a licensee or provider who is expected to, or whose responsibilities may require him or her to, provide personal care or services directly to clients or have access to client funds,
personal property, or living areas; and any person, as required by authorizing statutes, contracting with a licensee or provider whose responsibilities require him or her to provide personal care or personal services directly to clients. Evidence of contractor screening may be retained by the contractor’s employer or the licensee.”
No person required to be screened may begin work until the screening has been completed.
Section 39, amends s. 435.05, F.S. to delete existing authority that allows employees to work pending the outcome of their background screening. Section 40, amends s. 435.06, F.S. to provide that “an employer may not hire, select, or otherwise allow an employee to have contact with any vulnerable person that would place the employee in a role that requires background screening until the screening process is completed and demonstrates the absence of any grounds for the denial or termination of

 

– An employer must remove an employee from contact with any vulnerable person if the employer becomes aware that the employee has been arrested for a disqualifying offense (section 39, s. 435.06, F.S.). All fingerprints must be submitted electronically by August 1, 2012, or sooner (s. 435.04, F.S.).


– Agencies are authorized to contract with vendor(s) to perform the fingerprinting, but those contracts must ensure the owners and personnel of the vendor(s) are qualified and will ensure the integrity and security of all personal information. Additional disqualifying offenses added to statute (s. 435.04, F.S.):


– Chapter 784, F.S., relating to assault, battery, and culpable negligence, if the offense was a felony (therefore, the bill strikes existing specific references to crimes in this chapter)
– Section 787.025, F.S, relating to luring or enticing a child
– Section 794.05, F.S., relating to unlawful sexual activity with certain minors
– Section 810.02, F.S., relating to burglary (presently, felony burglary is a disqualifying offense for those being screening under DJJ)
– Section 810.14, F.S., relating to voyeurism, if the offense is a felony
– Section 810.145, F.S., relating to video voyeurism, if the offense is a felony
– Section 944.40, F.S., relating to escape (presently, escape is a disqualifying offense for those being screening under DJJ)
– Any crime that constitutes domestic violence An exemption from disqualification may not be granted for a disqualifying felony until at least three years after the applicant has completed or been lawfully released from confinement, supervision, or sanction for the disqualifying felony (s. 435.07, F.S.). Only the head of an agency may grant an exemption from disqualification (s. 435.07, F.S.). The agency may consider as part of its deliberations of the employee’s rehabilitation subsequent arrests and convictions, even if that subsequent crime is not a disqualifying offense (s. 435.07, F.S.).

 

– The standard of review by the administrative law judge of the agency’s decision as to rehabilitation is whether the agency’s intended action is an abuse of discretion (s. 435.07, F.S.).

 

– An exemption may not be granted from disqualification from employment for any person who has been designated as a sexual predator pursuant to s. 775.21, F.S., is a career offender pursuant to s. 775.261, F.S., or is a sexual offender pursuant to s. 943.0435, F.S. However, an exemption may be granted to a sexual offender who has the requirement to register as a sexual offender removed pursuant to s. 943.04354, F.S. (s. 435.07, F.S.).

 

– Agencies are authorized to request the retention of fingerprints by FDLE (s. 943.05, F.S.) and to collect and pay any fee related to the retention of fingerprints (s. 935.08, F.S.).

 

-Chapter 430 is amended to require Level 2 background screening for direct service providers (s. 430.0402, F.S.).
—- Direct service providers are defined as “a person 18 years of age or older who, pursuant to a program to provide services to the elderly, has direct, face-to-face contact with a client while providing services to the client or has access to the client’s living areas or to the client’s funds or personal property. The term includes coordinators, managers, and supervisors of residential facilities and volunteers.”

 

– All changes to the law are meant to be prospective in nature. Persons are not required to be re-screened who are employed or licensed on the effective date of the bill until the time they are otherwise required to be re-screened pursuant to law.

 

Please consult your legal staff as it pertains to this bill, your staff, and current provider contracts. Since the bill is effective August 1, 2010, it is necessary for each AAA to ensure any necessary language is incorporated in all provider contracts beginning July 1, 2010. If you have questions, please contact your regional contract manager.

 

Please download all important Background Screening forms required by DOEA from links at below:

 

Download: Background Screening Appointment Form for Direct Service Providers

Download: Background Screening Appointment Form for Long-Term Care Ombudsman Volunteers

Download: Background Screening Appointment Form for the CDC+ Program within DOEA

Download: Background Screening Appointment Form for DOEA Employees and Volunteers, SHINE Program

Download: DOEA Affidavit of Good Moral Character

Download: DOEA Affidavit of Compliance for Subcontractors on Background Screening

Download: DOEA Providers Attestation Form

 

In order to get fingerprinted as part of DOEA requirement for Area Agencies on Aging Background Screening  please contact IDENTICO LLC today. We are FDLE approved Live Scan vendor, and we transmit your fingerprints for FBI Level 2 Background Check so DOEA  gets the results of screening in as less as 72 hours. The cost of screening is $60. Visit our official website www.myidentico.com or call us today (954) 239-8590.

 

We have an open door policy at our office located at 3948 Pembroke Road, Suite E, Pembroke Park, FL, 33021 however if you would like to schedule an appointment at certain time, please visit http://www.myidentico.com/hitappoint/ and we’ll serve you first regardless of any wait line.

 

Sincerely,

IDENTICO LLC.

Categories
Division on Licensing Background Screening

Fingerprinting for “D” Security License and “C” Private Investigator License in Florida

Per Florida Statute 493, the Division of Licensing of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is responsible for security officers (“D” License) and private investigator licensing (“C” License) in Florida . Background screening is a part of license application, and it is conducted by submitting the set of fingerprints for FBI Level 2 Background Check. Submission can be made by hard copy or via live scan vendors approved by FDLE and DOACS.

 

During D license application processing the Division of Licensing will request an examination of fingerprint records and police records. When a criminal history analysis of any applicant under chapter 439 is performed by means of fingerprint card identification, the time limitations prescribed by s. 120.60(1) shall be tolled during the time the applicant’s fingerprint card is under review by the Department of Law Enforcement or the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

If a legible set of fingerprints, as determined by the Department of Law Enforcement or the Federal Bureau of Investigation, cannot be obtained after two attempts, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may determine the applicant’s eligibility based upon a criminal history record check under the applicant’s name conducted by the Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A set of fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency and a written statement signed by the fingerprint technician or a licensed physician stating that there is a physical condition that precludes obtaining a legible set of fingerprints or that the fingerprints taken are the best that can be obtained is sufficient to meet this requirement.

 

If you are applying for Florida Security or Private Investigator License in Miami, Broward, Palm Beach or Martin counties, please call IDENTICO today, for in office or mobile fingerprinting appointment. IDENTICO is FDLE approved Live Scan vendor, and we use electronic fingerprinting solutions in transmitting your fingerprints for FBI Level 2 Background Check, so Division of Licensing receives the results of screening in as less as 72 hours. The cost of screening is $48.25. Visit our official website www.myidentico.com or call us today (954) 239-8590. We have an open door policy at our office located at 3948 Pembroke Road, Suite E, Pembroke Park, FL, 33021, however if you would like to schedule an appointment at certain time, please visit http://www.myidentico.com/hitappoint/ and we’ll serve you first regardless of any wait line.

 

Sincerely,

IDENTICO LLC.

Categories
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Background Screening

Fingerprinting and Level 2 Background Check for Motor Vehicle Dealer License applicants in Florida

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Division of Motorist Services is in charge for Mobile Home,Recreational vehicle and Motor vehicle dealer licensing.

 

The fingerprinting is required as part of licensing process for:

 

VF Franchised Motor Vehicle Dealer – 320.27, F.S.
SF Franchised Motor Vehicle Service Facility – 320.642(6), F.S.
VI Independent Motor Vehicle Dealer – 320.27, F.S.
VW Wholesale Motor Vehicle Dealer – 320.27, F.S.
VA Motor Vehicle Auction – 320.27, F.S.
SD Salvage Vehicle Dealer – 320.27, F.S.
BH Used Mobile Home Broker – 320.77, F.S.
DH Mobile Home Dealer- 320.77, F.S.
DH/BH Selling New Recreational Vehicles – 320.771(8), F.S.
DH/BH Selling Used Recreational Vehicles – 320.771(8), F.S.
RV New Recreational Vehicle Dealer – 320.771, F.S.
RU Used Recreational Vehicle Dealer – 320.771, F.S.

Whether the set of fingerprints is required to be collected as part of Motor Vehicle Dealer License application or application for any other license from above, IDENTICO LLC can help. We provide both fingerprint card print rolling as well as live scan fingerprinting combined with electronic submission of fingerprints.

 

We are FDLE approved Live Scan vendor, and we can electronically transmit your fingerprints for FBI Level 2 Background Check so Florida DHSMV  gets the results of screening in as less as 72 hours. The cost of live scan fingerprinting is $57.25 (Note* – This way you don’t have pay $40.50 to DMV along with the fingerprint card, the screening fee is included into $54.25).

 

The hard copy card fingerprinting is only $15 per card, and applicant is responsible to provide the fingerprint card. (Note *- The applicant would have to remit the payment of $54.25 to DMV along with fingerprint card). Visit our official website www.myidentico.com or call us today (954) 239-8590 for more information or details.

 

We have an open door policy at our office located at 3948 Pembroke Road, Suite E, Pembroke Park, FL, 33021, however if you would like to schedule an appointment at certain time, please visit http://www.myidentico.com/hitappoint/ and we’ll serve you first regardless of any wait line.

 

Sincerely,

IDENTICO LLC.

Categories
DCF Background Screening Florida Department of Elderly Affairs Background Screening Professional Guardian Background Screening

Fingerprinting and Level 2 Background Screening requirements for professional and nonprofessional guardianship programs in Florida

For those individuals applying for professional and nonprofessional guardian programs with one of the county circuit courts, it is useful to know that guardianship procedures will require both criminal and credit investigations.  Criminal history search will be conducted by fingerprinting and submitting applicants’ biometric information to FDLE and FBI for state and national criminal history search. As a helpful source we are pleased to post the F.S. 744.3135 in regards to the screening of professional and non-professional guardians in the state of Florida.

 

744.3135 Credit and criminal investigation.—

 

(1) The court may require a nonprofessional guardian and shall require a professional or public guardian, and all employees of a professional guardian who have a fiduciary responsibility to a ward, to submit, at their own expense, to an investigation of the guardian’s credit history and to undergo level 2 background screening as required under s. 435.04. If a credit or criminal history record check is required, the court must consider the results of any investigation before appointing a guardian. At any time, the court may require a guardian or the guardian’s employees to submit to an investigation of the person’s credit history and complete a level 1 background screening as set forth in s. 435.03. The court shall consider the results of any investigation when reappointing a guardian. The clerk of the court shall maintain a file on each guardian appointed by the court and retain in the file documentation of the result of any investigation conducted under this section. A professional guardian must pay the clerk of the court a fee of up to $7.50 for handling and processing professional guardian files.

 

(2) For nonprofessional guardians, the court shall accept the satisfactory completion of a criminal history record check as described in this subsection. A nonprofessional guardian satisfies the requirements of this section by undergoing a state and national criminal history record check using a fingerprint card. The clerk of the court shall obtain fingerprint cards from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and make them available to nonprofessional guardians. Any nonprofessional guardian who is so required shall have his or her fingerprints taken and forward the completed fingerprint card along with the necessary fee to the Department of Law Enforcement for processing. The results of the fingerprint card criminal history record check shall be forwarded to the clerk of the court, who shall maintain the results in the nonprofessional guardian’s file and make the results available to the court.

 

(3) For professional guardians, the court and the Statewide Public guardianship Office shall accept the satisfactory completion of a criminal history record check by any method described in this subsection. A professional guardian satisfies the requirements of this section by undergoing:

 

(a) An electronic fingerprint criminal history record check. A professional guardian may use any electronic fingerprinting equipment used for criminal history record checks. The Statewide Public guardianship Office shall adopt a rule detailing the acceptable methods for completing an electronic fingerprint criminal history record check under this section. The professional guardian shall pay the actual costs incurred by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Law Enforcement for the criminal history record check. The entity completing the record check must immediately send the results of the criminal history record check to the clerk of the court and the Statewide Public guardianship Office. The clerk of the court shall maintain the results in the professional guardian’s file and shall make the results available to the court; or

 

(b) A criminal history record check using a fingerprint card. The clerk of the court shall obtain fingerprint cards from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and make them available to guardians. Any guardian who is so required shall have his or her fingerprints taken and forward the proper fingerprint card along with the necessary fee to the Department of Law Enforcement for processing. The results of the fingerprint card criminal history record checks shall be forwarded to the clerk of the court, who shall maintain the results in the guardian’s file and make the results available to the court and the Statewide Public guardianship Office.

 

(4)(a) A professional guardian, and each employee of a professional guardian who has a fiduciary responsibility to a ward, must complete, at his or her own expense, a level 2 background screening as set forth in s. 435.04 before and at least once every 5 years after the date the guardian is registered. A professional guardian, and each employee of a professional guardian who has a fiduciary responsibility to a ward, must complete, at his or her own expense, a level 1 background screening as set forth in s. 435.03 at least once every 2 years after the date the guardian is registered. However, a professional guardian is not required to resubmit fingerprints for a criminal history record check if he or she has been screened using electronic fingerprinting equipment and the fingerprints are retained by the Department of Law Enforcement in order to notify the clerk of the court of any crime charged against the person in this state or elsewhere, as appropriate.

 

(b) All fingerprints electronically submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement under this section shall be retained by the Department of Law Enforcement in a manner provided by rule and entered in the statewide automated fingerprint identification system authorized by s. 943.05(2)(b). The fingerprints shall thereafter be available for all purposes and uses authorized for arrest fingerprint cards entered in the Criminal Justice Information Program under s. 943.051.

 

(c) The Department of Law Enforcement shall search all arrest fingerprint cards received under s. 943.051 against the fingerprints retained in the statewide automated fingerprint identification system under paragraph (b). Any arrest record that is identified with the fingerprints of a person described in this paragraph must be reported to the clerk of court. The clerk of court must forward any arrest record received for a professional guardian to the Statewide Public guardianship Office within 5 days. Each professional guardian who elects to submit fingerprint information electronically shall participate in this search process by paying an annual fee to the Statewide Public guardianship Office of the Department of Elderly Affairs and by informing the clerk of court and the Statewide Public guardianship Office of any change in the status of his or her guardianship appointment. The amount of the annual fee to be imposed for performing these searches and the procedures for the retention of professional guardian fingerprints and the dissemination of search results shall be established by rule of the Department of Law Enforcement. At least once every 5 years, the Statewide Public guardianship Office must request that the Department of Law Enforcement forward the fingerprints maintained under this section to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

(5)(a) A professional guardian, and each employee of a professional guardian who has a fiduciary responsibility to a ward, must complete, at his or her own expense, an investigation of his or her credit history before and at least once every 2 years after the date of the guardian’s registration with the Statewide Public guardianship Office.

 

(b) The Statewide Public guardianship Office shall adopt a rule detailing the acceptable methods for completing a credit investigation under this section. If appropriate, the Statewide Public guardianship Office may administer credit investigations. If the office chooses to administer the credit investigation, the office may adopt a rule setting a fee, not to exceed $25, to reimburse the costs associated with the administration of a credit investigation.

(6) The Statewide Public guardianship Office may inspect at any time the results of any credit or criminal history record check of a public or professional guardian conducted under this section. The office shall maintain copies of the credit or criminal history record check results in the guardian’s registration file. If the results of a credit or criminal investigation of a public or professional guardian have not been forwarded to the Statewide Public guardianship Office by the investigating agency, the clerk of the court shall forward copies of the results of the investigations to the office upon receiving them.

 

(7) The requirements of this section do not apply to a professional guardian, or to the employees of a professional guardian, that is a trust company, a state banking corporation or state savings association authorized and qualified to exercise fiduciary powers in this state, or a national banking association or federal savings and loan association authorized and qualified to exercise fiduciary powers in this state.

 

History.—s. 30, ch. 89-96; s. 1076, ch. 97-102; s. 2, ch. 97-161; s. 10, ch. 99-277; s. 5, ch. 2002-195; s. 10, ch. 2003-57; s. 114, ch. 2003-402; s. 12, ch. 2004-260; s. 22, ch. 2004-267; s. 8, ch. 2006-178; s. 1, ch. 2007-127.

 

As part of application with probate division of circuit courts each guardian will be required to accompany the Copy of the Court Monitor’s Approval for Year, Professional Guardian Processing Fee, Registration with Statewide Public Guardianship Office, and the copy of the blanket bond. In addition to the guardian will have to provide the proof of level 2 background screening clearance. The consent for a background check in accordance with Florida Statutes Chapter 744 which includes, but may not be limited to, a check of credit, FDLE, FBI, employment, and Department of Children and Families will be required from guardianship applicant.

 

IDENTICO is FDLE authorized live scan vendor with the capacity to electronically fingerprint and submit the data for level 2 background screening. We are currently serving professional guardian and nonprofessional guardians in Miami-Dade Court, Broward Court and Palm Beach County Court. Call us at (954) 239-8590 and don’t hesitate to ask your questions. For more inforamtion or to schedule an appointment please visit us online at http://www.myidentico.com

Sincerely,

IDENTICO LLC.

Categories
DCF Background Screening Live Scan Fingerprinting in Florida (General)

Fingerprinting and Level 2 Background Checks for Guardian ad Litem program in Florida

Florida House Bill CS/HB 5401 had amended the Florida Statute 39.821 regarding the qualifications of guardians ad litem in Florida.

 

(1) Because of the special trust or responsibility placed in a guardian ad litem, the Guardian Ad Litem Program may use any private funds collected by the program, or any state funds so designated, to conduct a security background investigation before certifying a volunteer to serve. A security background investigation must include, but need not be limited to, employment history checks, checks of references, local criminal history records checks through local law enforcement agencies, and statewide criminal history records checks through the Department of Law Enforcement. Upon request, an employer shall furnish a copy of the personnel record for the employee or former employee who is the subject of a security background investigation conducted under this section. The information contained in the personnel record may include, but need not be limited to, disciplinary matters and the reason why the employee was terminated from employment. An employer who releases a personnel record for purposes of a security background investigation is presumed to have acted in good faith and is not liable for information contained in the record without a showing that the employer maliciously falsified the record. A security background investigation conducted under this section must ensure that a person is not certified as a guardian ad litem if the person has an arrest awaiting final disposition for, been  convicted of, regardless of adjudication, entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to, or has been adjudicated delinquent and the record has not been sealed or expunged for, any offense prohibited under the provisions listed in s. 435.04. All applicants certified on or after July 1, 2010, must undergo a level 2 background screening pursuant to chapter 435 before being certified. In analyzing and evaluating the information obtained in the security background investigation, the program must give particular emphasis to past activities involving children, including, but not limited to, child-related criminal offenses or child abuse. The program has the sole discretion in determining whether to certify a person based on his or her security background investigation. The information collected pursuant to the security background investigation is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1).

 

If you represent the Guardian ad Litem program in South Florida and located in Miami, Broward, Palm Beach or Martin counties, please call IDENTICO LLC today, for office or mobile fingerprinting appointment. IDENTICO is FDLE approved Live Scan vendor, and we use electronic fingerprinting solutions in transmitting your fingerprints for FBI Level 2 Background Check so the results of screening are available in as less as 72 hours. The cost of screening is $41.25. Visit our official website www.myidentico.com or call us today (954) 239-8590 or (888) 988-8969.

 

We have an open door policy at our office located at 3948 Pembroke Road, Suite E, Pembroke Park, FL, 33021, however if you would like to schedule an appointment at certain time, please visit http://www.myidentico.com/hitappoint/ and we’ll serve you first regardless of any wait line.

 

Sincerely,

The team of IDENTICO LLC.