This bill mandates that the New Hampshire Department of Education conduct confidential criminal history record checks for all prospective educational personnel, defined as individuals employed in public and non-public educational institutions who do not require an educator credential. The bill introduces a new section, RSA 189:13-d, which outlines the procedures for these checks, including the requirement for educational personnel to submit a criminal history records release form and fingerprints. The clearance obtained from these checks will be valid for five years. Additionally, the bill specifies that individuals with certain criminal convictions, particularly those related to drug offenses or crimes involving children, will be ineligible for employment in educational settings.

The bill also includes provisions for maintaining the confidentiality of the criminal history records and mandates that the Department of Education destroy this information within 60 days of receipt. Furthermore, it prohibits the employment of individuals whose educator licenses have been revoked in New Hampshire or any other state. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2027, and is expected to generate significant revenue through the fees associated with the background checks, while also incurring costs related to staffing and administrative support for the increased volume of checks.