(a)

(1) Criminal history information shall be made available to the Governor for purposes of carrying out the Governor's constitutional authority involving pardons, executive clemencies, extraditions, or other duties specifically authorized by law.

(2) Criminal history information may be made available to:

(A) Persons performing research related to the administration of criminal justice, subject to conditions approved by the central repository or the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police to assure the security of the information and the privacy of individuals to whom the criminal history information relates; and

(B) Private contractors providing penitentiary services to a governmental criminal justice agency pursuant to a specific agreement approved by the Arkansas Crime Information Center which limits the use of the criminal history information to the purposes for which given to ensure the security and confidentiality of the criminal history information.

(b)

(1) Criminal history information shall be made available according to the provisions of the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, 42 U.S.C. § 14616, as it existed on January 1, 2001.

(2)

(A) The General Assembly approves and ratifies the National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, 42 U.S.C. § 14616, as it existed on January 1, 2001, and the compact shall remain in effect until legislation is enacted renouncing the compact.

(B) The Director of the Arkansas Crime Information Center, the repository of criminal history records, shall execute, administer, and implement the compact on behalf of the state and may adopt necessary rules, regulations, and procedures for the national exchange of criminal history records for noncriminal justice purposes.

(C) Ratification of the compact does not affect the obligations and responsibilities of the center regarding the dissemination of criminal history records within Arkansas.