INFORMATIONAL RELEASE Local Port Authority Contact: For further information, please contact Tampa Port Authority Compliance Manager Jeff Smith at (813) 241-1881 or Security Sergeant Dan Abbitt at (813) 241-1899. State Criminal History Eligibility Reporting System for Seaport Workers The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has completed initial work on the statewide database of criminal history eligibility for seaport workers. The Florida Legislature mandated the creation of this system to ensure that seaport workers that access more than one Florida seaport would not have to pay more than once for a state criminal history check. Commencing July 12, 2010, all seaport workers that have completed or require a fingerprint criminal history check pursuant to state law will be entered into the statewide database. Seaport workers will be entered into the system when they renew their seaport credentials or when they obtain their credentials for the first time. This database will retain the fingerprints and eligibility status of seaport workers. It will allow other seaports to issue credentials to these workers using the eligibility status entered into the system by the “originating seaport” that checked the criminal history status of the individual the first time. Enrollment in the State “Criminal History Eligibility Reporting System” does not guarantee port access. Port access is decided at each individual port based upon several factors to include, but not limited to, business purpose for entry. The system is intended to maintain an ongoing notification of the worker’s criminal history. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement and Florida’s seaports will be working on the system during a planned roll-out phase (no longer than one-year) to ensure that the system operates efficiently and that any issues and problems are addressed. During this roll-out phase, individuals will not have to pay any costs associated with maintenance and administration of the database. After the roll-out phase, the Florida Legislature has mandated that FDLE charge a $50 five-year fee to the worker for the system. This is in addition to any charges for the criminal history check and port administrative fee. Florida ports are continuing to work with FDLE to develop a reduced fee for persons needing port access for one year or less. During this roll-out phase, seaport workers will receive a one-year seaport credential. After this roll-out phase, seaport workers will be eligible to receive a credential for up to five years. For those individuals possessing a Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), a local seaport credential with the same expiration date as their TWIC may be issued. Florida seaports continue to work with FDLE to mitigate impacts on port users wherever possible. |