Pennsylvania law requires that teachers, school administrators, and school volunteers obtain child abuse history clearances before working with children. However, elected school board members are not held to the same standard. Throughout the Commonwealth, school board members interact with students without the same level of accountability required of many others.
 
In response to this issue, I will be reintroducing legislation that would require all candidates running for school board to submit state and federal child abuse clearance reports. This will clarify whether the candidate is currently, or has ever been, involved in a child abuse investigation, and will also require a full set of fingerprints. My legislation will ensure that only candidates who obtain these clearances will be eligible to run for school board.
 
It is time to hold school board members to the same standards as others who work closely with our children. I ask for your support in prioritizing the safety of Pennsylvania’s children by supporting this important legislation.