06-R 366

2006 -- S 3208

Enacted 06/23/06

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

REQUESTING THE RHODE ISLAND TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO TAKE CERTAIN MEASURES TO PROMOTE PASSENGER SAFETY

Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, McCaffrey, F Caprio, Connors, and DaPonte

Date Introduced: June 23, 2006

     WHEREAS, Public transportation is an integral part of the state's infrastructure,

providing a means of travel for many citizens of this state; and

     WHEREAS, The health, safety and welfare of those persons who utilize public

transportation and also those employed in the delivery of such transportation must be promoted;

and

     WHEREAS, The dawn of this century has seen an increase in public transportation as an

object for terrorist activity, requiring the need for increased safety measures and surveillance;

now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority to study the

feasibility of and consider implementing the following public safety measures:

     1. The installation of passenger security cameras on all RIde buses, when federal funds

become available for this purpose;

     2. Providing that any person seeking employment as a RIde bus driver would undergo a

criminal background check to be initiated prior to or within one week of employment as follows:

     (a) The applicant shall apply to the bureau of criminal identification (BCI), department of

attorney general, state police or local police department where he or she resides, for a statewide

criminal records check. Fingerprinting shall not be required. Upon the discovery of any

disqualifying information as defined in section 23-17-37 of the Rhode Island general laws, the

bureau of criminal identification of the state police or the local police department will inform the

applicant, in writing, of the nature of the disqualifying information; and, without disclosing the

nature of the disqualifying information, will notify the employer, in writing, that disqualifying

information has been discovered.

     (b) An individual against whom disqualifying information has been found may request

that a copy of the criminal background report be sent to the employer who shall make a judgment

regarding the ability of the individual to drive a RIde bus. In those situations in which no

disqualifying information has been found, the bureau of criminal identification, state police or

local police department shall inform the applicant and the employer in writing of this fact.

     (c) The criminal record check requirements would apply only to persons seeking to drive

RIde buses. The applicant would pay the costs of the background check; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution shall be transmitted forthwith upon passage

to the chairperson of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

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LC03601

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