STATEHOUSE (Jan. 30, 2017) — The House of Representatives today unanimously supported State Rep. Jeff Thompson’s (R-Lizton) bill to strengthen background check requirements for Indiana school employees.
State law currently requires expanded background checks be completed within three months of being hired. House Bill 1079 would require schools to conduct expanded background checks on most new employees before their start date. In all other cases, such as shortly before the school year or during the school year, new employee background checks would need to be finalized within 30 days. Current school employees would also undergo background checks every five years.
“Parents and students should feel confident that their school is a safe place to learn,” said Thompson, a retired teacher. “By requiring extensive background checks on new employees, schools could properly evaluate those who are in regular contact with children before the start of the school year. Also, reoccurring checks would ensure that students are protected from school employees that have been cited for child abuse.”
In the 2016 session, Thompson said the General Assembly added the Child Protection Index to the definition of an expanded background check. This provision helped to ensure that schools are aware of potential employees with a history of child abuse or neglect. Thompson said the Indiana Department of Child Services would be required to notify schools if one of their employees has a report of substantiated child abuse or neglect against them.
This bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
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State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) represents portions of Hendricks and Boone counties.
A high-resolution photo of Thompson can be downloaded by clicking here.
