H.R. 8352 — Criminal History Access Act of 2026

This section revises the Attorney General's authority under 28 U.S.C. 534 to exchange FBI criminal justice records and information by adding state sentencing commissions and peace officer standards and training agencies to the list of authorized recipients (previously limited to federal officials, states, Indian tribes, cities, and penal institutions). It defines "peace officer standards and training agency" as a state agency with statutory authority to set standards for hiring, training, ethical conduct, and retention of state law enforcement officers through certification, licensing, or similar processes (i.e., commonly known as POST or POSTC agencies); expands the definition of "State" to explicitly include the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and other U.S. territories and possessions; and directs the Attorney General to amend implementing regulations (28 C.F.R. pt. 20) within 180 days of enactment. (Thus, these entities gain official access to FBI records such as criminal history checks for sentencing guidelines, officer background vetting, and training certification.)