HCS HB 689 -- BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL

SPONSOR:  Wallace (Bringer)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Elementary and Secondary Education by a vote of 12 to 0.

Currently, teachers and other school personnel who have contact
with students must undergo a criminal background check.  This
substitute makes the background check valid for one year and
transferrable from one school district to another, even if there
is a change in the type of certification a teacher holds.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2010, FY 2011, and
FY 2012.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that multiple background checks are
an expensive nuisance for a person who may work in more than one
district, such as a substitute teacher, and should not be
necessary just because a person changes his or her type of
certification.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Bringer; Missouri
National Education Association; Missouri State Teachers
Association; Luana Gifford, American Federation of Teachers;
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Missouri
Council of School Administrators; and Cooperating School
Districts of Greater Kansas City.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated November 17, 2009 at 9:25 am