To assist the public in obtaining the required criminal background checks mandated by various Rhode Island General Laws, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin is again offering background check services at several locations across the state throughout August.
In addition to the regular hours of operation for the Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) at the Office of Attorney General in Providence, mobile background check services at different locations will be available to any individual who is required by statute or policy to have a national or state background check for whatever purpose. There are several statutes that dictate what type of background check is required for various employment or license. Further, these statutes dictate where such a national background check may be processed. A complete list is available on the Attorney General's website at http://www.riag.ri.gov/.
Wednesday, August 12
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Charlestown PD
4901 Old Post Rd., Charlestown
Thursday, August 13
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Middletown PD
123 Valley Rd., Middletown
Monday, August 17
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Cranston PD
5 Garfield Ave., Cranston
Tuesday, August 18
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
North Kingstown PD
8166 Post Rd., North Kingstown
Wednesday, August 19
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Smithfield PD
215 Pleasant View Ave., Smithfield
Thursday, August 20
2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Bristol PD
395 Metacom Ave., Bristol
"The response from the public to our past mobile BCI events has been tremendous. We are cognizant of the time and expense of driving to our office in Providence for a background check. Providing mobile BCI services provides great convenience to individuals who are busy preparing for the new school year or starting a new career," said Attorney General Kilmartin.
Under Rhode Island General Law 16-2-18.1, any person seeking employment with a private school or public school department who has not previously been employed by that public or private school department in Rhode Island during the past 12 months shall undergo a national and state criminal background check. Employees hired prior to August 1, 2001 and who have been continuously employed by a public school department in Rhode Island during the past 12 months shall be exempted.
Those covered by the statute include those individuals who are hired directly by the private school or public school department, contractual employees of the private school or public school department, and those individuals, who may have direct or unmonitored contact with children or students, that are hired by a third party who has contracted with the private school or public school department to provide services, including school bus monitors.
In addition, Rhode Island General Law, 16-2-18.4, any person who is a current or prospective volunteer of a private school or public school department and who may have direct and unmonitored contact with children and/or students on school premises shall undergo a state criminal background check to be initiated prior to or within one week of commencement of such volunteer work.
Individuals seeking a national background check must bring positive proof of ID, such as a valid driver's license, state-issued ID or passport, as well as the appropriate paperwork to be submitted to the employer or agency. Payment must be a check or money order only. Checks should be made out to "BCI." The cost for a national criminal background check is $35.
Individuals seeking a state criminal background check must bring positive proof of ID, such as a valid driver's license, state-issued ID or passport. The cost for a state-only criminal background check is $5. Payment must be a check or money order only. Checks should be made out to "BCI." The state criminal background check will be mailed to the individual.
For individuals that require a national and state background check, the cost is $40.
For any questions, please call the Office of Attorney General at 401-274-4400 and ask for BCI.
Rhode Island background checks are also available to the public 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and national background checks/fingerprints are available to the public 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at the BCI window at the Office of Attorney General, 150 South Main Street Providence.