AR SB572

Superintendent or designee must withhold favorable employment recommendations for employees when probable cause is found that the employee engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor.

Registered volunteers obtaining coaching certificates or working in athletic coaching capacities must undergo statewide and nationwide criminal records checks conducted by Arkansas State Police and FBI as a condition for unsupervised contact with students.

Registered volunteers in coaching roles, like employment applicants, must sign information releases and are responsible for paying criminal background check fees unless the school board covers costs.

Disqualification standards for employment and volunteer positions now apply to registered volunteers with coaching duties, including those with true Child Maltreatment Central Registry reports or convictions for specified offenses.

Background check information received by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education remains confidential and available only to the affected applicant or registered volunteer and their authorized representative.