Statutory Authority

The NCHIP program was initiated in 1995 and has encompassed evolving efforts to support state activities for the establishment of records systems and the collection and use of criminal history and related records.

Pursuant to 42 USC § 3732(c), BJS is authorized to, "provide for improvements in the accuracy, quality, timeliness, immediate accessibility, and integration of State criminal history and related records, support the development and enhancement of national systems of criminal history and related records including the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the National Incident - Based Reporting System, and the records of the National Crime Information Center, facilitate State participation in national records and information systems, and support statistical research for critical analysis of the improvement and utilization of criminal history records." NCHIP and the NICS Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP) are one means by which BJS provides for such improvements.