Bill > H546

This bill requires individuals running for certain public offices to undergo and submit a criminal background check, referred to as Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) checking, to ensure transparency and inform voters. Specifically, candidates for offices governed by Chapter 53 of the General Laws must file this check with the Secretary of State's elections division, and candidates for city or town offices governed by local by-laws must file it with their respective city or town clerk. This background check must be completed within a specific timeframe: no more than six weeks and no less than two weeks before the deadline for filing nomination papers, and the candidate is responsible for paying any associated fees. The process for conducting these checks will follow established state laws, sections 167 to 178B of Chapter 6 of the General Laws.