Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) introduced an amendment to the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008 that requires the Department of Homeland Security to create a framework for conducting security background checks for employees at Tier I chemical facilities.
The amendment, offered during today’s Homeland Security Committee meeting, provides for background checks on workers only at high-risk chemical facilities who have access to secure areas. The amendment also provides a redress system for employees to appeal any adverse decision.
"The threats to our nation’s chemical facilities are real and dangerous," said Perlmutter. "Experts believe that the release of such substances as chlorine gas and anhydrous ammonium in a populated area could result in thousands of deaths. Our government and our communities entrust the workers at our largest chemical plants with the security of our nation. The federal government has a responsibility to design a security background check process that ensures the workers with access to our most dangerous substances are trustworthy. We also must provide a quick and fair redress process to those individuals who are adversely impacted by background checks."
Perlmutter introduced this amendment with Congresswoman Ginny Brown-Waite, and crafted it with the input of committee Democrats, Republicans, labor organizations and industry stakeholders.
Following are highlights of the Perlmutter-Brown-Waite Amendment:
Requires the Department to issue a regulation describing the security background check process.
Requires DHS to conduct a background check for workers with access to secure areas of the most high risk facilities.
This background check will screen those workers against federal criminal, immigration, and terrorist databases.
It also provides a list of felony crimes that are grounds for dismissal.
Refines the redress process for workers who feel they were mistakenly fired or suspended based on their background check.
Outlines how those impacted workers can access information used against them without compromising the security of our federal databases.
Allows chemical facility workers from any tier to appeal before an administrative law judge if they feel they were inappropriately dismissed.
The amendment passed the committee this morning. The bill including the amendment now moves to the floor of the House of Representatives for consideration.
