Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 2350
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Allowing valid portable background check clearance cards issued by the department of early learning to be used by certain educational employees and their contractors for purposes of their background check requirements.
Sponsors: Representatives Senn, Dahlquist, Kagi, Walsh, Ryu, Morrell, Roberts, Goodman and Freeman; by request of Department of Early Learning and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/29/14
Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
School districts, Educational Service Districts (ESDs), the Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss, the State School for the Blind, and schools funded by the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs and their contractors must require a record check through the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) before hiring an employee who will have regularly scheduled unsupervised access to children. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has had a record check within the past two years.
The Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) certifies K-12 educators. The PESB requires that applicants for certification have a record check through the WSP and the FBI. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) may waive the record check requirement for applicants who have had a record check in the past two years.
In 2012 the Department of Early Learning (DEL) established and began maintaining a portable background check clearance registry for individuals seeking a child care license or employment in a licensed or regulated child care facility. Individuals that pass the background check are issued a Background Check Clearance Card, which is valid for three years.
Summary of Bill:
Applicants for school positions with regularly scheduled unsupervised access to children who hold a valid portable Background Check Clearance Card issued by the DEL can meet the record check requirements by providing a true and accurate copy of their background report results from the WSP and the FBI to the OSPI.
Applicants for certification by the PESB who hold a valid portable Background Check Clearance Card issued by the DEL are exempt from the OSPI's fingerprint background check if they provide a true and accurate copy of their the background report results from the WSP and the FBI to the OSPI.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.