STATEHOUSE — State Representative Rhonda Rhoads (R-Corydon) sponsored legislation regarding school employee background checks, which passed the Indiana House on Tuesday with a unanimous vote. Senate Bill (SB) 160 would require a national criminal history background check for all individuals seeking employment with a school corporation, a charter school or an accredited nonpublic school. “Before the Senate bill was amended in the House, it was identical to House Bill 1160, which I authored,” said Rep. Rhoads. “Instead of requiring school employees to receive fingerprint background checks, this bill now allows schools to use either the Indiana State Police system or companies who are approved through federal law to be a consumer reporting agency.” By allowing either the Indiana State Police Department (ISP) system or an approved consumer reporting agency to conduct background checks, small, private companies will not be at risk of going out of business from only using the ISP. This bill will ensure that the consumer reporting companies have some regulation and are consistent with federal law on reporting information. Currently, school corporations can request either an expanded or national criminal history background check verification. The ISP use the national criminal history background check to verify to the school that an applicant has not been convicted of specific crimes, but the ISP does not send the full report to the school. The bill would now require the ISP to send the full report to the school. SB 160 has been sent back to the Senate for the author to consent or dissent on the amendments. To stay up-to-date on this bill and any other piece of legislation in the General Assembly, visit www.in.gov/legislative. -30- |
