University of California: employees, volunteers, and contractors: background checks.

Assembly Member Hoover's legislation authorizes the University of California to conduct Department of Justice background checks for prospective staff employees, contractors, and volunteers during final recruitment stages, codifying existing practices before the current federal approval expires in January 2027.

The measure establishes protocols for managing background check information through the Department of Justice. The University must submit fingerprint images and related data for state and federal criminal history verification of candidates for positions designated as "Critical Positions" - roles involving sensitive administrative, programmatic, or managerial duties that could pose risks to university operations. When individuals leave qualifying positions, the University must immediately notify the Department to terminate their background check notifications. The bill also requires biannual verification that those still receiving notifications remain in eligible positions.

Under the legislation, the University must promptly inform the Department if it receives arrest notifications for unknown individuals or those whose monitoring has been terminated. These provisions maintain alignment with existing state hiring laws while creating a statutory framework for the University's background check authority after current federal permissions expire. The measure formalizes these procedures within the Education Code without changing the University's existing background check policies and practices.