The bill requires the state board of education to conduct state and national criminal history record checks on all school employees, mandating that applicants be fingerprinted and pay a fee to cover the costs of these checks. For employees hired before July 1, 2025, checks will occur every five years, while those hired after this date will undergo checks every five years from their start date. Employees with certain criminal convictions must report these to their school district within 30 days, with failure to do so classified as a class B nonperson misdemeanor. Additionally, the bill establishes a criminal history record check reimbursement fund administered by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to cover the costs associated with these checks.

The bill also amends existing laws regarding the licensing and employment of individuals in educational roles, particularly concerning criminal history checks and the consequences of certain convictions. It specifies that the state board of education shall not issue or renew licenses for individuals convicted of serious offenses, including sexual crimes and violent felonies, and outlines the process for revocation of existing licenses. Furthermore, it establishes that individuals with certain convictions may be considered for licensing after a five-year rehabilitation period, contingent upon a hearing and evaluation by the state board. The bill mandates that public innovative districts require employees to undergo fingerprinting and criminal history checks before working with students, while also ensuring the confidentiality of criminal history records and repealing previous statutes to streamline the legal framework governing employment in educational settings.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 22-4714, 72-2165, 72-4223