In Pennsylvania, the Right-to-Know Law grants citizens the right to access public records. The law applies to all levels of government, including state agencies, counties, municipalities, and school districts. Individuals can request a background check on someone by submitting a request to the Pennsylvania State Police.
The Pennsylvania State Police use a system called PATCH (Pennsylvania Access To Criminal History) to provide criminal history information. They also have a web-based portal called ePatch that allows authorized agencies to submit requests and receive results electronically.
In order to obtain a background check, individuals must provide a valid reason for the request and pay a fee. The fee varies depending on the type of check requested, but typically ranges from $10 to $30.
Under Pennsylvania law, certain criminal records are confidential and may not be disclosed. For example, juvenile records are generally not available to the public. Additionally, some criminal records may be sealed or expunged under certain circumstances.
Overall, Pennsylvania's public records laws provide citizens with the ability to access criminal history information on individuals. However, there are limitations on what information can be disclosed, and individuals must provide a valid reason for the request and pay a fee.