Bill > SB1136

This bill amends Arizona's existing school employment background investigation law to strengthen screening procedures for noncertificated personnel. The bill requires school districts to conduct more comprehensive background checks when hiring new employees, including obtaining information about an applicant's discipline history from previous employers. Specifically, the bill mandates that before hiring, districts must make documented good faith efforts to contact previous employers to obtain relevant information about an employee's fitness for employment, including their discipline history. The bill expands the definition of "background investigation" to explicitly include communication with former employers about an employee's education, training, experience, qualifications, discipline history, and job performance. School districts are permitted to share background investigation information with other districts and public entities, and they must follow specific procedures when hiring personnel before completing full fingerprint checks, such as conducting periodic criminal history checks and providing general supervision. The legislation aims to enhance student safety by ensuring more thorough vetting of school personnel who may have direct contact with students, while providing a structured process for reviewing potential employment disqualifying factors like criminal history.

Education

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82113