§38-13-1. Legislative findings and intent.

Under the National Child Protection Act of 1993, Public Law 103-209, 42 U.S.C. § 5119, et seq., the states are permitted to implement a computerized information system to provide child abuse crime information through the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Criminal History Record Information System. The states may conduct a nationwide criminal history background check for the purpose of determining whether an individual who shall have unsupervised access to children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities has been convicted of a crime that bears upon the fitness of the individual to provide care to or have responsibility for the safety and well-being of children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities as defined in this chapter. The Legislature finds that there is an important state interest and it is in the best interest of the children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities of Alabama to protect them from those persons who may inflict physical or mental injury or abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation, or maltreatment or other mistreatment upon children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities. Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide for the implementation of a system that allows the Department of Human Resources, licensed child placing agencies, and child and adult care facilities to ensure that current licensees, license and volunteer applicants, prospective employees, current employees, and volunteers are suitable for employment, to perform volunteer work, or to hold a license, permit, approval, or certification and have not been convicted of a crime that bears upon their fitness to provide care or have responsibility for the safety or well-being of children, the elderly, or individuals with disabilities as defined in this chapter.

(Act 2000-775, p. 1775, §1.)