Committee approves bill to give five licensure boards FBI fingerprint authority

Representative Stephanie Deetsz introduced House Bill 657 and said the measure would grant five licensure boards the statutory authority needed to obtain an ORI (originating agency identifier) number so they can conduct FBI fingerprint checks required by interstate compacts.

Michelle Sanborn, identified as president of the Children’s Alliance, explained the background: the compacts require FBI fingerprint checks but the boards need explicit statutory authority in Kentucky law to obtain an ORI number and implement the checks. Sanborn said the bill modernizes statutory language to match the current federal procedures and the boards’ compact obligations.

Deetsz said the bill updates compact language that predates changes in FBI procedures so the boards can comply. The committee had a motion and recorded a vote to approve the bill; Chairman Cook announced that HB 657 passed committee and will be reported to the House floor.