The bill amends several provisions related to the criminal background investigation requirements for school employees in South Dakota. It specifies that all individuals over eighteen hired by a school must undergo a criminal background investigation through fingerprint checks conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The bill removes the term "district" from references to schools, indicating a broader application to all schools. Additionally, it clarifies that temporary employment may commence pending the results of the background check, and it allows for the transfer of background investigation results between schools for employees working in multiple schools, provided certain conditions are met.

Further amendments include stipulations regarding the refusal of employment for individuals convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, violent crimes, sex offenses, or narcotics trafficking. The bill also states that employees continuously employed since July 1, 2000, are exempt from submitting to a new background check. Lastly, it mandates that if a school suspends or terminates an employee due to a criminal conviction, the superintendent must report this to the Department of Education within ten days, with penalties for non-compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 12/19/2025: 13-10-12, 13-10-12.1, 13-10-13, 13-10-14, 13-10-15