SB 252 - School Employment and Criminal History Checks

• Amends 70 O.S. 2001, Section 5-142 to require national criminal history record checks for substitute teacher employment, with optional waiver if the person was employed by the district during the previous school year.

• Allows school districts to reimburse employees for criminal history record check fees (not to exceed $50) and requires reimbursement at minimum for employees employed at the time the check is requested.

• Requires school districts to transfer completed criminal history record checks to other school districts upon request of a substitute teacher applying to multiple districts.

• Allows substitute teachers previously employed as full-time teachers within the preceding five years to avoid new record checks by providing a copy of a prior check completed within five years and a letter of good standing from their last employer.

• Exempts technology center part-time and temporary employees hired for adult instruction only from these requirements; effective July 1, 2011 with emergency declaration.