AR SB72

Convictions for or guilty pleas to nonviolent and nonsexual offenses that are at least 10 years old shall not disqualify a person from being hired as a teacher or nonlicensed school personnel.

Employment applicants for nonlicensed positions shall pay criminal background check fees unless the school board votes to cover the costs.

Public school districts are required to conduct criminal background checks and Child Maltreatment Central Registry checks on existing and newly hired nonlicensed employees at least once every 5 years.

School districts that require background checks for existing nonlicensed employees must pay all or part of the costs associated with those checks.

The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education must inform school boards within 30 days whether applicants are eligible for initial or continued employment based on background check results.