{"id":6846,"date":"2022-07-15T13:32:25","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T12:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blinkx.com\/?p=6846"},"modified":"2022-08-03T16:43:49","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T15:43:49","slug":"background-check-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businessfinancenews.com\/background\/background-check-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"background check florida"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When conducting a background check, Florida has codified the laws that can help an individual or company navigate Florida\u2019s Department of Law Enforcement and Division of Criminal Justice Information Services databases to find key information on a person\u2019s criminal history or. Criminal history record checks and searches that are done as part of a background check in Florida are supported by Florida\u2019s legislature, and the actions that should (and may) be taken are clearly outlined.<\/p>\n

There are multiple levels of background check for use in the state, each employing different initial information and utilizing different databases. Notably, different jurisdictions within Florida may have their own advisories for how to use background and criminal checks, but they are all covered within this official 2022 guide.<\/p>\n

Florida and federal laws dictate how information gleaned from a background check may be used. This includes how background check data is applied to employment, credit issuance, educational accreditation, leasing an apartment, foster parenting and adoption, and more. Not all background or criminal information gathered in a background check can be used in the same way.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Understanding Florida\u2019s background check and criminal background check laws can greatly benefit employers, individuals, and others who require a deeper look into a person\u2019s character and history.<\/p>\n

Florida Background Check Laws<\/h2>\n

Florida is, in fact, the only state to have codified level 1 and level 2 background checks and is among 20 states that describe how criminal background checks may be used. This official 2022 guide will walk you through the process step by step.<\/p>\n

There are a few types of background checks an employer or individual can conduct in Florida, and as per current law, background checks can go back\u00a0 5 to 7 years to determine employment, or to check for a potential renter\u2019s ability to lease.<\/p>\n

Different laws suggest how a background check Florida style can be conducted. For instance, one statute may permit certain data to be used for making an employment decision in Miami-Dade county, but not in Tallahassee, Florida.<\/p>\n

State laws may conflict with county or smaller jurisdiction guidance, so it\u2019s good to understand both the county levels and state-level laws in full.<\/p>\n

Background Check Policy in Florida<\/h2>\n

Public records play a key role in a background check, Florida. It is important to know what types of background checks exist, and what they can legally be used for under current Florida legislation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Florida Background Checks For Employment<\/h3>\n

In Florida, background checks conducted by employers for potential hires can be conducted at any time, however, the results can only be applied if certain \u201cexclusions\u201d show up on the final background check. There are also restrictions on how background check data can be used.<\/p>\n

The state of Florida also encourages companies to run background checks since doing so ostensibly protects them legally from a negligent hiring lawsuit because red flags would likely be uncovered, preventing the hire of someone who perhaps shouldn\u2019t be hired at all. It is estimated that many financial fraud cases are stopped thanks to background checks prior to employment.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

Florida state law says that someone cannot be prevented from taking a public-employer (government) job because of a conviction, except for felonies and first-degree misdemeanors that specifically relate to the job. People who have drug offenses on their public record must undergo rehabilitation prior to employment but cannot be eliminated for job consideration because of a drug-related offense.<\/p>\n

Additionally, all records of an applicant\u2019s criminal background investigation must be kept private and confidential by the potential employer. A decision for or against employment cannot be made based solely on an applicant\u2019s criminal record according to Equal Employment Opportunity laws.<\/p>\n

People often get confused because criminal background check and background check are two terms used synonymously by employers when they desire to know more about a potential employee or contractor. However, these terms are not synonymous.<\/p>\n

From the point of view of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, a background check is a criminal history inquiry to find out if someone has been arrested or convicted of a crime. A check can include information from:<\/p>\n