Increasing protection of New Jerseyans’ most important documents and records, the Assembly Homeland Security Committee released Monday legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Angelica M. Jimenez (D-Bergen, Hudson) that would require vital records handlers, present and future, undergo background checks.
The bill (A-465) would require criminal history record background checks for public employees who handles vital records, whether current or new hires, and on State, County and municipal levels. The background checks would specifically search for convictions involving fraud, forgery, theft and dangerous controlled substances.
“Birth Certificates, copies of Social Security cards and passports are among vital records kept on file at the State, county and municipal level,” said Assemblywoman Jimenez. “With more cases of identity theft occurring nationwide, it has become extremely important to ensure that these documents are protected from criminals and social identity predators.”