HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Local Connecticut police departments may soon be required to submit electronic fingerprints to the state police for background checks, a move some legislators hope will ease a backlog.

The Senate on Tuesday voted unanimously to amend a bill to require municipal departments with devices that can electronically capture fingerprints to use those machines on members of the public who request criminal history records checks. Waterbury Sen. Joan Hartley said departments typically use the machines for fingerprinting alleged criminals.

The bill moves to the House for further action.

The Associated Press reported last week that about 9,300 people were waiting for background checks to be completed for gun permit applications and employment requirements.

State police officials have blamed part of the backlog on faulty, traditional ink fingerprints taken at local departments.