Substitute Senate Bill 1069 - Summary

• Expands criminal background check requirements for all school employees and applicants, including state and national criminal history records checks within 30 days of employment, effective July 1, 2019.

• Requires Department of Children and Families child abuse and neglect registry checks for all applicants before hiring, and mandates reporting to the State Board of Education when convictions are discovered.

• Applies background check requirements to nongovernmental school operators (charter schools, private schools, magnet schools) and student teachers completing preparation programs within 60 days of starting their experience.

• Directs State Board of Education to submit periodic databases of educator certificate applicants and current certificate holders to State Police for criminal history record checks and to require child abuse registry checks for all certification applicants.

• Requires Department of Education to study regional cooperation frameworks and update school health curriculum by January 1, 2020 to include sexual harassment, assault, relationship abuse, and human trafficking topics.