Board authorizes Clay County Social Services to run federal fingerprint background checks under BCA JPA

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on July 8 authorized a joint powers agreement (JPA) between Clay County Social Services and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) to permit county staff to conduct federal fingerprint-based background checks.

Quinn, director of social services, told the board the sheriff’s office had previously run fingerprint checks for social services but an audit found the office was not permitted to share that information with the agency. Quinn said the social services office completed the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services security audit and developed required procedures and policies to meet BCA and FBI compliance standards: “We have successfully completed this criminal justice information services security audit,” Quinn said.

Nut graf: The JPA formalizes the county’s authority to run federal fingerprint checks internally; Quinn said the agreement does not obligate the county to use the BCA as the sole resource. Quinn also said the JPA is not expected to shorten current processing timelines, which she estimated at about two to four weeks, and that staff are exploring an alternative with the Department of Human Services.

Commissioner Kravinoff moved to authorize the JPA; Commissioner Bair seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote.

The agreement allows Social Services to manage fingerprint collection and secure storage of criminal-history data as required by the BCA; Quinn said the department will continue to evaluate other processing options.