Gilbert Town Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a change to town code that will allow the town to conduct fingerprint-based background checks on certain volunteers, a step officials said is necessary for public safety roles.

The action passed without discussion with other public-hearing items but after a briefing at the preceding study session.

During that study session, Town Attorney Chris Payne explained that current town code authorizes fingerprinting for specific employee positions but does not explicitly extend that authority to volunteers working in sensitive areas of police and fire services.

He told the council that the town had encountered a situation in which volunteers were preparing to serve but could not begin until background checks were completed.

Payne said the ame

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