Volunteer firefighters: background checks.

The Fire Protection District Law of 1987 provides for the formation and administration of fire protection districts. Under that law, district employees include volunteer firefighters. Other existing law provides for the organization of fire companies in unincorporated towns by filing a certificate with the Fire and Rescue Operational Area Coordinator in the same county, or other county agency as designated by ordinance of the county board of supervisors. Under existing law, a fire company is staffed by officers and volunteer firefighters. Existing law authorizes counties and cities to regulate the formation and continued existence of fire companies within their jurisdiction. This bill would amend those provisions to authorize the chief of a fire protection district or a fire company to conduct background checks on applicants for volunteer firefighter status with the district or fire company, as prescribed, and, if such a background check is conducted, would require the chief to identify an applicant who is determined to be a registered sex offender or to have committed or been convicted of specific offenses.