The bill amends existing laws to enhance the screening process for volunteers in K-12 public schools by allowing school districts to request fingerprints to obtain criminal history records for these individuals. Specifically, it expands the definition of individuals who must undergo background checks to include volunteers who may have regular contact with or unsupervised access to minors while volunteering. The amendments to W.S. 7-19-106, 7-19-201, and 21-3-111 include new provisions that require both employees and volunteers to submit to fingerprinting upon request from the school district, with the district covering the associated costs.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that criminal history record information can be disseminated to school district boards of trustees for the purpose of obtaining background information on volunteers, similar to the existing provisions for employees. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2024. Overall, the bill aims to strengthen the safety measures in schools by ensuring that all individuals who interact closely with students are properly vetted.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 7-19-106, 7-19-201, 21-3-111