HB1251

House Bill 1251 updates Arkansas law regarding criminal background checks for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. It clarifies that the disqualification process for certification or recertification based on criminal history applies to all EMS personnel. The bill amends existing law to ensure that disqualifying offenses prosecuted in other state courts or federal courts are considered, regardless of whether the record has been expunged. It maintains a specific list of disqualifying offenses, ranging from various violent crimes to theft and controlled substance violations. The bill also preserves the process for applying for a waiver if at least five years have passed since a conviction or release from custody. Finally, it specifies criteria under which a misdemeanor conviction would not disqualify an applicant, provided the offense did not involve abuse, neglect, exploitation, or sexual contact, and was not committed while performing EMS duties.