PocketLaw | Illinois Compiled Statutes

Fingerprint Vendors

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(225 ILCS 447/Art. 31 heading)

ARTICLE 31. FINGERPRINT VENDORS.(Article scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

(225 ILCS 447/31-5)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 31-5. Exemptions.

(a) The provisions of this Act regarding fingerprint vendors do not apply to any of the following, if the person performing the service does not hold himself or herself out as a fingerprint vendor or fingerprint vendor agency:

(1) An employee of the United States, Illinois, or a political subdivision, including public school districts, of either while the employee is engaged in the performance of his or her official duties within the scope of his or her employment. However, any such person who offers his or her services as a fingerprint vendor or uses a similar title when these services are performed for compensation or other consideration, whether received directly or indirectly, is subject to this Act.
(2) A person employed exclusively by only one employer in connection with the exclusive activities of that employer, provided that person does not hold himself or herself out to the public as a fingerprint vendor.
(3) Any member of local law enforcement in the performance of his or her duties for criminal justice purposes, notwithstanding whether the local law enforcement agency charges a reasonable fee related to the cost of offering fingerprinting services.

(b) The provisions of this Act regarding fingerprint vendors do not apply to any member of a local law enforcement agency, acting on behalf of the local law enforcement agency that is registered with the Illinois State Police to provide fingerprinting services for non-criminal justice purposes, notwithstanding whether the local law enforcement agency charges a reasonable fee related to the cost of offering fingerprinting services.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(225 ILCS 447/31-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 31-10. Qualifications for licensure as a fingerprint vendor.

(a) A person is qualified for licensure as a fingerprint vendor if he or she meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Is at least 18 years of age.
(2) Has not been convicted of any felony in any jurisdiction or at least 10 years have elapsed since the time of full discharge from a sentence imposed for a felony conviction.
(3) Is of good moral character. Good moral character is a continuing requirement of licensure. Conviction of crimes other than felonies may be used in determining moral character, but shall not constitute an absolute bar to licensure, except where the applicant is a registered sex offender.
(4) Has not been declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be incompetent by reason of mental or physical defect or disease, unless a court has subsequently declared him or her to be competent.
(5) Is not suffering from dependence on alcohol or from narcotic addiction or dependence.
(6) Has not been dishonorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States.
(7) Submits certification issued by the Illinois State Police that the applicant has successfully completed a fingerprint vendor training course conducted or authorized by the Illinois State Police.
(8) Submits his or her fingerprints, in accordance with subsection (b) of this Section.
(9) Has not violated any provision of this Act or any rule adopted under this Act.
(10) Provides evidence satisfactory to the Department that the applicant has obtained general liability insurance in an amount and with coverage as determined by rule. Failure to maintain general liability insurance and failure to provide the Department with written proof of the insurance, upon request, shall result in cancellation of the license without hearing. A fingerprint vendor employed by a licensed fingerprint vendor agency may provide proof that his or her actions as a fingerprint vendor are covered by the liability insurance of his or her employer.
(11) Pays the required licensure fee.
(12) (Blank).
(13) Submits proof that the applicant maintains a business office located in the State of Illinois.
(14) Provides proof of compliance with subsection (e) of Section 31-15 of this Act if the applicant is not required to obtain a fingerprint vendor agency license pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 31-15 of this Act.

(b) Each applicant for a fingerprint vendor license shall have his or her fingerprints submitted to the Illinois State Police in an electronic format that complies with the form and manner for requesting and furnishing criminal history record information as prescribed by the Illinois State Police. These fingerprints shall be checked against the Illinois State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history record databases now and hereafter filed. The Illinois State Police shall charge applicants a fee for conducting the criminal history records check, which shall be deposited in the State Police Services Fund and shall not exceed the actual cost of the records check. The Illinois State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive identification, records of Illinois convictions to the Department. The Department may require applicants to pay a separate fingerprinting fee, either to the Department or directly to the vendor. The Department, in its discretion, may allow an applicant who does not have reasonable access to a designated vendor to provide his or her fingerprints in an alternative manner. The Department, in its discretion, may also use other procedures in performing or obtaining criminal background checks of applicants. Instead of submitting his or her fingerprints, an individual may submit proof that is satisfactory to the Department that an equivalent security clearance has been conducted. Also, an individual who has retired as a peace officer within 12 months of application may submit verification, on forms provided by the Department and signed by his or her employer, of his or her previous full-time employment as a peace officer.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(225 ILCS 447/31-15)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 31-15. Qualifications for licensure as a fingerprint vendor agency.

(a) Upon receipt of the required fee, compliance with subsection (e) of this Section, and proof that the applicant has a full-time Illinois licensed fingerprint vendor licensee-in-charge, which is a continuing requirement for agency licensure, the Department may issue a license as a fingerprint vendor agency to any of the following:

(1) An individual who submits an application and is a licensed fingerprint vendor under this Act.
(2) A firm that submits an application and all of the members of the firm are licensed fingerprint vendors under this Act.
(3) A corporation or limited liability company doing business in Illinois that is authorized to engage in the business of conducting a fingerprint vendor agency if at least one officer or executive employee is a licensed fingerprint vendor under this Act and all unlicensed officers and directors of the corporation or limited liability company are determined by the Department to be persons of good moral character.

(b) An individual licensed as a fingerprint vendor operating under a business name other than the licensed fingerprint vendor's own name shall not be required to obtain a fingerprint vendor agency license if that licensed fingerprint vendor does not employ any persons to provide fingerprinting services. However, in either circumstance, the individual shall comply with the requirements of subsection (e) of this Section as a requirement for licensure.

(c) No fingerprint vendor may be the licensee-in-charge for more than one fingerprint vendor agency. Upon written request by a representative of the agency, within 10 days after the loss of a licensee-in-charge of an agency because of the death of that individual or because of the termination of the employment of that individual, the Department shall issue a temporary certificate of authority allowing the continuing operation of the licensed agency. No temporary certificate of authority shall be valid for more than 90 days. An extension of an additional 90 days may be granted upon written request by the representative of the agency. Not more than 2 extensions may be granted to any agency. No temporary permit shall be issued for loss of the licensee-in-charge because of disciplinary action by the Department related to his or her conduct on behalf of the agency.

(d) Upon issuance of the temporary certificate of authority as provided for in subsection (c) of this Section and at any time thereafter while the temporary certificate of authority is in effect, the Department may request in writing additional information from the agency regarding the loss of its licensee-in-charge, the selection of a new licensee-in-charge, and the management of the agency. Failure of the agency to respond or respond to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause the Department to deny any extension of the temporary certificate of authority. While the temporary certificate of authority is in effect, the Department may disapprove the selection of a new licensee-in-charge by the agency if the person's license is not operative or the Department has good cause to believe that the person selected will not fully exercise the responsibilities of a licensee-in-charge. If the Department has disapproved the selection of a new licensee-in-charge and the temporary certificate of authority expires or is about to expire without the agency selecting another new licensee-in-charge, the Department shall grant an extension of the temporary certificate of authority for an additional 90 days, except as otherwise prohibited in subsection (c) or this subsection (d).

(e) An applicant shall submit certification issued by the Illinois State Police that the applicant's fingerprinting equipment and software meets all specifications required by the Illinois State Police. Compliance with Illinois State Police fingerprinting equipment and software specifications is a continuing requirement for licensure.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(225 ILCS 447/31-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 31-20. Training; fingerprint vendor and employees.

(a) Registered employees of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency shall complete a minimum of 20 hours of training provided by a qualified instructor within 30 days of their employment. The substance of the training shall be prescribed by rule.

(b) It is the responsibility of the employer to certify, on a form provided by the Department, that the employee has successfully completed the training. The form shall be a permanent record of training completed by the employee and shall be placed in the employee's file with the employer for the period the employee remains with the employer. An agency may place a notarized copy of the Department form, in lieu of the original, into the permanent employee registration card file. The original form shall be given to the employee when his or her employment is terminated. Failure to return the original form to the employee is grounds for disciplinary action. The employee shall not be required to repeat the required training once the employee has been issued the form. An employer may provide or require additional training.

(c) Any certification of completion of the 20-hour basic training issued under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, and Locksmith Act of 2004 or any prior Act shall be accepted as proof of training under this Act.

(d) No registered employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency may operate live scan fingerprint equipment or other equipment designed to obtain fingerprint images for the purpose of providing fingerprint images and associated demographic data to the Illinois State Police.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(225 ILCS 447/31-25)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 31-25. Customer identification; record keeping. A fingerprint vendor or fingerprint vendor agency shall document in the form of a work order when and where each and every fingerprint service is provided. The work order shall also include the name, address, date of birth, telephone number, and driver's license number or other identification number of the person requesting the service to be done, the signature of that person, the routing number and any other information or documentation as provided by rule. All work orders shall be kept by the licensed fingerprint vendor for a period of 2 years from the date of service and shall include the name and license number of the fingerprint vendor and, if applicable, the name and identification number of the registered employee who performed the services. Work order forms required to be kept under this Section shall be available for inspection by the Department or by the Illinois State Police.

(Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)

(225 ILCS 447/31-30)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 31-30. Restrictions on firearms.

(a) Nothing in this Act or the rules adopted under this Act shall authorize a person licensed as a fingerprint vendor or any employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency to possess or carry a firearm in the course of providing fingerprinting services.

(b) Nothing in this Act or the rules adopted under this Act shall grant or authorize the issuance of a firearm control card to a fingerprint vendor or any employee of a licensed fingerprint vendor agency.

(Source: P.A. 95-613, eff. 9-11-07; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

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