If Delaware’s Senate Bill 325 (SB 325) gets passed, it will require new applicants and current members of the state’s fire and EMS organizations to go through criminal background checks.

The bill was introduced in May and is moving through the Delaware General Assembly, WDEL reports. If it’s passed, existing members would have up to two years after the bill gets implemented to complete the background check process.

SB 325 would give the State Fire Prevention Commission authority to review criminal history records to determine whether applicants or members are disqualified from serving due to certain criminal offenses.

It would enable the commission to receive ongoing updates to criminal history and to notify the appropriate fire or EMS organization. The bill would also allow a waiver request in extraordinary circumstances, permitting the member to serve if doing so wouldn’t jeopardize public health or safety.

There were changes proposed by Delaware Representative Cyndie Romer through House Amendment No. 1, including a tweak that would only automatically disqualify members or applicants for violent felonies. Additionally, extraordinary circumstances waivers would be confidential.

The amendment exempts some members, including those not involved witha gency funds and inactive lifetime members, unless the commission deems it necessary. If enacted, it would delay the law’s implementation by 180 days after it is signed, giving fire and EMS organizations additional time to prepare.

SB 325 was reported out of committee on June 23 and passed the Senate without Romer’s amendment on June 11. It awaits consideration from the full House of Representatives.