“Hey guys! Am I late for the criminal team meeting?” Guardian asked.

“Yes, Guardian. And since you missed assignments, YOU get to contact Michigan and California to let them know redacting identifying information from criminal records searches helps exactly NO ONE!” Gillian replied.

“Wow, Gillian. You seem a little tense about this. Who cares about Michigan and California? Most of our subjects’ histories are along the east coast.”

“Watch it, Guardian. When it was just Michigan, we could live with it. Not happy, but live with it. But once California got involved, that’s a whole different story. Other states are likely to follow their lead. Capisce?!” Yvette spoke up.

“OK, OK, Yvette. Don’t have to beat it over my head. And we all know you’re Italian, just like Rocky Balboa.” Guardian answered.

Bags packed, Guardian sets out. “Let’s see. Since I only have so much time, I’ll hit Sacramento first. The team is more concerned about California, and the weather is better out there. Got a message from the Professional Background Screeners Association that Senator Bradford out there introduced a bill to allow date of birth and driver’s license number in searches. He can introduce me to other members of the legislature.”

“How do, Senator Bradford?!”

“Who or what are you? A bird that speaks English!”

“I’m studying Spanish, but not so good. I wanted to congratulate you on the work you’re doing straightening out criminal background searches. My colleagues at The World’s Greatest Background Screening Company are concerned about the effects of keeping identifying information out of the search.

“Look, here come some of your compatriots, now. Let me address all of you at once. As you are all aware, a criminal past can detrimentally impact a person’s ability to work in certain professions. We at Commercial Investigations LLC understand the desire to allow reformed individuals to work.

However, by not allowing credit reporting agencies to conclusively eliminate someone as having a criminal record, the fine State of California risks damaging the reputations of multiple law abiding citizens. We certainly do not want anyone to be tagged as a criminal offender when they are not.

By the same token, we take our responsibility TO PROTECT with great solemnity. Our client organizations care for vulnerable populations and cannot allow haphazard background investigations. So, my friends, we humbly ask that you support the efforts of the Honorable Senator Bradford.”