Bill > HB1830

This bill updates Washington state law regarding background checks for volunteers and employees who will have unsupervised access to children or persons with developmental disabilities in educational settings. The legislation requires school districts, educational service districts, and other educational entities to conduct comprehensive criminal record checks through the Washington State Patrol and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal databases before hiring employees or accepting volunteers who will work directly with children or individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill expands the existing background check requirements to include more detailed notification processes, such as requiring the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to provide timely notification of any disqualifications resulting from record checks. It also clarifies the scope of background check requirements for various educational institutions, including charter schools and state-tribal education compact schools, and specifies conditions for what constitutes "unsupervised" access. Additionally, the bill establishes procedures for limiting access to record check databases and allows for conditional employment while background checks are being processed. The legislation aims to enhance child safety by ensuring thorough vetting of individuals who will work closely with vulnerable populations in educational environments.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1830&Year=2025&Initiative=false