NEW: State Rep. Wants Mandatory Background Checks For Candidates
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A state lawmaker is calling for legislation that would require anyone running for office be subjected to a background check.
Scott Slater, a Providence Democrat, plans to introduce a bill that will force candidates to disclose any criminal history upon filing to run for office. The announcement comes just a day after one of his colleagues, State Rep. Dan Gordon, was found to have an extensive criminal background, including having served jail time in Massachusetts.
Slater said he believes candidates should disclosure their criminal history to the public.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“I think we should be up front with electorate,” Slater said. “You should have to be honest.”
Under Slater’s plan, current elected officials would be subjected to the background check if and when they decide to run for reelection. Slater said the candidates should follow the same rules as many state employees.
“We should be subjected to the same rules as everyone else,” Slater said.