Redundant Criminal Background Checks May Cease for Florida Port Workers

Port workers with Florida jobs may soon be able to avoid undergoing costly and redundant criminal background checks.

Rep. Kathy Castor recently added a provision to a bill that would remove redundant background check requirements for workers and businesses in Florida's ports. The amendment prohibits states from requiring a separate security background check unless one is required for homeland security reasons.

Earlier this year, the House of Representatives approved Castor's amendment to the Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act. But because that bill is currently stalled in the Senate, Castor added the amendment to the Coast Guard Authorization Act, which was passed in the House of Representatives last week and will soon reach the Senate.