Home » Law enforcement fingerprinting bill goes to Senate

Law enforcement fingerprinting bill goes to Senate

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 12, 2014) — A bill that authorizes the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement to charge fees for fingerprinting and photography requests passed the Kentucky House on Tuesday by a vote of 74-24.

Under House Bill 105, sponsored by Rep. Gerald Watkins, D-Paducah, a fee of $10 per set of fingerprints and $5 per photo taken or copied could be charged by the State Police or by sheriff’s offices, city police, or other local law enforcement agencies for services requested for individual business, professional, or personal use.

Watkins said the legislation has the support of law enforcement statewide.

“It sets in statute the charges that sheriffs, state police, local law enforcement may charge,” Watkins said. “If the actual cost rises above those amounts, the Kentucky State Police can adjust those charges.”

The state police could adjust the fees by administrative regulation if the actual cost of fingerprinting or photographic services exceeds the existing fee structure, according to HB 105. Local governments would be allowed to then increase their fees based on the new regulation.

HB 105 now goes to the Senate for its consideration.