This RSA section is an unofficial mirror, is not legal advice, and may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrectly processed.

RSA 21-P:15-c · Employee Candidate Background Checks

Title: I: THE STATE AND ITS GOVERNMENT
Chapter: 21-P · DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY
Status: current
Official source linked: Yes

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21-P:15-c Employee Candidate Background Checks. –

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The commissioner may require a background investigation and a criminal history records check on any candidate for employment or promotion prior to a final offer of employment. The commissioner may request only a state records check or both a federal and state records check, to be conducted through the division of state police. The department may extend a conditional offer of employment to a candidate, with a final offer of employment subject to a successfully completed criminal history records check.

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II.

A candidate for employment in a position which the commissioner determines requires a background investigation and a criminal history records check shall submit to the department a criminal history records release form, as provided by the division of state police, which authorizes the release of the person's criminal records, if any. The candidate shall submit with the release form a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency or an authorized employee of the department of safety, approved by the commissioner of the department of safety. In the event that the first set of fingerprints is invalid due to insufficient pattern and a second set of fingerprints is necessary in order to complete the criminal history records check, the conditional offer of employment shall remain in effect. If, after 2 attempts, a set of fingerprints is invalid due to insufficient pattern, the department may, in lieu of the criminal history records check, accept police clearances from every city, town, or county where a candidate has lived during the past 5 years.

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III.

To obtain a state records check only, the department shall submit a state criminal history records release form to the division of state police. To obtain both the federal and the state records check, the department shall submit the criminal history records release form and applicant fingerprint card to the division of state police, which shall conduct a criminal history records check through its records and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Upon completion of the background investigation, the division of state police shall report any criminal conviction information to the commissioner. The department may submit fingerprint information electronically, in accordance with procedures established by the division of state police. The department shall maintain the confidentiality and security of all criminal history records information received pursuant to this paragraph.

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IV.

In this section, "candidate for employment" shall include candidates for contract positions, volunteers, or interns. Source. 2013, 176:4, eff. Aug. 31, 2013. 2018, 318:2, eff. Aug. 24, 2018. 2024, 366:3, eff. June 30, 2025.

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Source note

Source. 2013, 176:4, eff. Aug. 31, 2013. 2018, 318:2, eff. Aug. 24, 2018. 2024, 366:3, eff. June 30, 2025.

Source history

2013, 176:4, eff. Aug. 31, 2013
2018, 318:2, eff. Aug. 24, 2018
2024, 366:3, eff. June 30, 2025

Related materials

Bill relationships

2026 HB1363 amend
background checks. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 Division of Safety; Employee Candidate Background Checks. Amend RSA 21-P:15-c, III to read as follows: III. To obtain a state records check only, the department shall submit a state criminal history records release form to the division of state police. To obtain both the federal and the stat
2026 HB1605 amend · effective 2026-07-01
be pursued for prosecution and action in coordination with appropriate state and federal authorities. 3 New Subdivision; State Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Office. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 71 the following new subdivision: State Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Office 21-P:72 Establishment; Placement. There is established within the department of safety the state intelli
2026 HB1605-FN-A amend · effective 2026-07-01
be pursued for prosecution and action in coordination with appropriate state and federal authorities. 3 New Subdivision; State Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Office. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 71 the following new subdivision: State Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence Office 21-P:72 Establishment; Placement. There is established within the department of safety the state intelli
2026 HB1667 amend · effective 2029-06-30
al campaign events. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Subdivision; First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 71 the following new subdivision: First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force 21-P:72 First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force. I. There is established a task force to coordinate planning for
2026 HB1667-FN amend · effective 2029-06-30
al campaign events. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Subdivision; First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 71 the following new subdivision: First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force 21-P:72 First-in-the-Nation Security Task Force. I. There is established a task force to coordinate planning for
2026 SB568 amend
it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 107:1 Department of Safety; Employee Candidate Background Checks; Reporting Modified. Amend RSA 21-P:15-c, III to read as follows: III. To obtain a state records check only, the department shall submit a state criminal history records release form to the division of state police. To obtain both the federal and the stat
2025 HB258 add
on to determine the readiness of the New Hampshire Seacoast Emergency Evacuation Plan. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Study Commission. Amend RSA 21-P by inserting after section 48-a the following new section: 21-P:48-b Commission to Study the New Hampshire Seacoast Emergency Evacuation Plan Readiness. I. There is established a commission to study and determ