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 by various educational institutions who do not require an educator credential. The bill introduces a new section, RSA 189:13-d, which outlines the process 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, and the department is tasked with maintaining the confidentiality of the records and destroying them within 60 days of receipt.

Additionally, the bill specifies that individuals with certain criminal convictions, particularly those related to drug offenses or crimes involving children, will be ineligible for clearance and thus unable to be employed in public educational settings. It also prohibits the hiring of individuals whose educator licenses have been revoked in New Hampshire or any other state. The Department of Education is required to adopt rules governing the appeal process for educational personnel who are denied clearance based on pending charges or convictions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2027.