article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Older and Disabled Americans Criminal Protection Act of 1998'. SEC. 2. BACKGROUND CHECKS. (a) In General.--A shared housing referral service, as determined for the purpose of this section by the Attorney General, may request the Attorney General to conduct a search and exchange of records under subsection (b) regarding any applicant for participation in a shared housing arrangement as a service provider resident by-- (1) submitting, to the Attorney General-- (A) fingerprints regarding such applicant; and (B) a written statement authorizing the shared housing referral service to request the search and exchange of records regarding the applicant, which is signed by the applicant; and (2) making the submission of the information under paragraph (1) not more than 7 days (not including Saturdays, Sundays, and legal public holidays under section 6103 of title 5, United States Code) after completing acquiring the information. (b) Search and Exchange of Records.--Pursuant to any submission that complies with subsection (a), the Attorney General shall search the records of the Criminal Justice Information Services Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation for any criminal history records corresponding to the fingerprints or other positive identification submitted. The Attorney General shall provide any corresponding information identified by the search to the appropriate State or local governmental agency authorized to receive such information. (c) Use of Information.--Information regarding any applicant for participation in a shared housing arrangement obtained pursuant to subsection (b) may be used only by the shared housing referral service requesting the information and only for determining the suitability of the applicant for participation in a shared housing arrangement as a service provider resident. (d) Fees.--The Attorney General may charge a reasonable fee, which may not exceed $50, to any shared housing referral service requesting a search and exchange of records pursuant to subsection (b) to cover the costs of conducting the search and providing the records. (e) Report.--The Attorney General shall submit a report to the House of Representatives and the Senate not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act regarding the number of requests for searches and exchanges of records made under this section by shared housing referral services and the disposition of such requests. SEC. 3. CRIMINAL PENALTY. Whoever knowingly uses any information obtained pursuant to section 2(b) in violation of section 2(c) shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both. SEC. 4. ORGANIZATIONAL LIABILITY. A shared housing referral agency that, in making a determination regarding any referral for participation in a shared housing arrangement, reasonably relies upon information provided to the agency by the Attorney General pursuant to section 2 shall not be liable, in any action for damages based on the referral determination, for any damages resulting from incompleteness or inaccuracy of the information. SEC. 5. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply: (1) Shared housing arrangement.--The term `shared housing arrangement' means a primary residential arrangement that consists of at least 2 persons-- (A) who reside in the same dwelling unit and share the use of all or part of the facilities of the dwelling unit; (B) who have no familial relationship; (C) one of whom is the owner or lessee of the dwelling unit, including any owner or lessee who is an elderly person or a person with disabilities, and (D) another of whom provides care or other services for the benefit of the person described in subparagraph (C) in exchange for free occupancy in the dwelling unit, a reduction in the cost otherwise charged for occupancy of the dwelling unit, or other remuneration. (2) Shared housing referral service.--The term `shared housing referral service' means any nonprofit organization, person, or other entity that, for consideration, performs services which involve the referral of individuals or families for participation in shared housing arrangements as service provider residents. (3) Service provider resident.--The term `service provider resident' means, with respect to a shared housing arrangement, the individual participating in the arrangement who is described in paragraph (1)(D). (4) Elderly person; person with disabilities.--The terms `elderly person' and `person with disabilities' have the meanings given such terms in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. SEC. 6. REGULATIONS. The Attorney General may prescribe any regulations necessary to carry out this Act, including regulations regarding the security, confidentiality, accuracy, use, and dissemination of information and audits and recordkeeping and the imposition of fees necessary for the recovery of costs.
summary: Older and Disabled Americans Criminal Protection Act of 1998 - Defines a "shared housing arrangement" as a residential arrangement under which one person provides care or other services for the owner or lessee of a dwelling unit in exchange for free occupancy or a reduced cost for occupancy of that unit or other remuneration. Authorizes: (1) a shared housing referral agency to request the Attorney General to conduct and share criminal background checks respecting shared housing caretaker applicants; and (2) the Attorney General to charge a fee for such service. Provides a criminal penalty for the knowing use of such information for other than housing determinations. States that an agency that reasonably relies upon such information shall not be liable for damages based on such information's inaccuracy.