Looser background check law?

Right now New Hampshire requires a person to give written permission before anyone can see that person's criminal records.  SB 153, a bill in the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, would change that so anyone can request a criminal background check after notifying the person.

Bill supporters argue that New Hampshire's criminal background check process is too burdensome for employers.

Jeffrey Kellett, director of the criminal records bureau for the Department of Safety, told the House Committee that most other states simply allow the public to access criminal records online.

However, Rep. Neal Kurk (R-Weare) believes SB 153 violates New Hampshire residents' right to privacy.

"All I have to do is notify them. So I send the kid a postcard, hey Joe, I'm doing a criminal background check on you before you can date my daughter,'' Kurk told the Committee. "He may not like it. He can't object to it under this language. That's a crazy idea."