SB 1641 Summary

• Requires all personnel at qualified schools that accept Arizona empowerment scholarship account funds to obtain a valid fingerprint clearance card within 20 days of employment and meet employment eligibility standards for school districts and charter schools.

• Establishes annual audits by the auditor general to verify qualified school compliance with fingerprinting requirements, with non-compliant schools required to reimburse the state for all scholarship monies received in the prior school year.

• Allows qualified schools to communicate fingerprint clearance card issuance or denial information to other schools and employers for employment purposes without violating blacklist laws.

• Amends fingerprinting statutes and definitions to include qualified schools and section 15-2407 in relevant employment eligibility and background check requirements across multiple state agencies and licensing boards.

• Provides a six-month compliance period for current qualified school personnel to obtain required fingerprint clearance cards after the bill's effective date.