Harris Co Background checks

[Chip]

I had a good talk with the person at DPS who is processing my application. She is telling me that the clock starts when they enter the application into the system - which for me was mid-May. She also thinks that they are on track to deliver the license in mid-July, which.... I'll believe it when I see it.

She did say that they are working on changing their processes to fix the Harris County problem, and in fact have been spending a lot of time coming up with a new procedure, and they are pretty happy with it (I can't imagine that they like hearing "where's my license" any more than we like hearing it!).

I'm going to give this another week - at which point it will have been 60 days from the time I went to "Processing Application" - and see where things stand before thinking about requesting a hearing. That will give me a chance to dig up the receipt from the cashier's check and find out from the bank when DPS deposited it.

[Cowboyrob]

I had a good talk with the person at DPS who is processing my application. She is telling me that the clock starts when they enter the application into the system - which for me was mid-May. She also thinks that they are on track to deliver the license in mid-July, which.... I'll believe it when I see it.

She did say that they are working on changing their processes to fix the Harris County problem, and in fact have been spending a lot of time coming up with a new procedure, and they are pretty happy with it (I can't imagine that they like hearing "where's my license" any more than we like hearing it!).

I'm going to give this another week - at which point it will have been 60 days from the time I went to "Processing Application" - and see where things stand before thinking about requesting a hearing. That will give me a chance to dig up the receipt from the cashier's check and find out from the bank when DPS deposited it.

Despite the PR telephone conversations, there is very little truth in these statements. By statute, the clock starts to run when DPS RECEIVES the completed application , Not when they get around to putting it into the computer. The "Harris County Problem" is not a Harris County problem! It is a DPS problem. These are DPS employees performing background checks the extent of which is determined by the Department. At more than 120 days, I have had enough and have demanded a hearing in Justice court. If I don't receive the license or the court date in a reasonable time (< 30 days) I will seek a writ of mandamus to force the hearing. It has become a matter of principle for me

[Dexdahex]

I had a good talk with the person at DPS who is processing my application. She is telling me that the clock starts when they enter the application into the system - which for me was mid-May. She also thinks that they are on track to deliver the license in mid-July, which.... I'll believe it when I see it.

She did say that they are working on changing their processes to fix the Harris County problem, and in fact have been spending a lot of time coming up with a new procedure, and they are pretty happy with it (I can't imagine that they like hearing "where's my license" any more than we like hearing it!).

I'm going to give this another week - at which point it will have been 60 days from the time I went to "Processing Application" - and see where things stand before thinking about requesting a hearing. That will give me a chance to dig up the receipt from the cashier's check and find out from the bank when DPS deposited it.

Despite the PR telephone conversations, there is very little truth in these statements. By statute, the clock starts to run when DPS RECEIVES the completed application , Not when they get around to putting it into the computer. The "Harris County Problem" is not a Harris County problem! It is a DPS problem. These are DPS employees performing background checks the extent of which is determined by the Department. At more than 120 days, I have had enough and have demanded a hearing in Justice court. If I don't receive the license or the court date in a reasonable time (< 30 days) I will seek a writ of mandamus to force the hearing. It has become a matter of principle for me

Keep us informed...

[Dexdahex]

it's probably a stall move which makes you feel better for long enough to get you "off their backs" for a while.

Without a doubt.

I've sent two polite but firm emails to DPS reminding them of the time limits (and I carefully did not do this until after I hit the 90 day implicit denial time). I've also talked to local staffers for my elected officials. Today, there's a message from DPS on the answering machine, someone wanting to talk to me about my "status". I'll call tomorrow, I'm debating on what to say. I know I'll hear all the "gee, we're sorry, we're waiting on Harris County, thanks for your patience". The thing is, for those of us who live outside Harris County but work there, the Harris County background check is not required by statute. I'll mention that to the DPS person as well as reminding that the Harris County designee is not abiding by the statutory time requirements. It won't get anywhere, but it will make me feel better. I don't know whether I should ask why I've been denied, or send them a letter requesting a formal hearing, or just let the whole thing slide.

I really hope that everyone who is hitting the 90 day mark is raising some ruckus.

I started at 60 Days