CRIMINAL OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT EXEMPTIONS

SB 66 exempts specific New Mexico state agencies - including law enforcement, early childhood education departments, child care facilities, child welfare services, and public schools - from the state's general criminal background check rules for employment. Instead, these agencies must create their own criminal history screening rules to determine applicant eligibility. The bill directly affects job applicants seeking positions in these exempted agencies and requires the agencies to establish their own screening procedures rather than using the standard state process. It does not change existing background check requirements for other employers.