Bill > SB246

This bill requires all applicants for teaching licenses and certificates, as well as employees of school districts and public innovative districts, to undergo fingerprinting and state and national criminal history record checks prior to working with students. Specifically, for employees hired before July 1, 2025, these checks must be conducted every five years from that date, and for employees hired on or after July 1, 2025, checks must be conducted every five years from their first day of employment. The bill creates a criminal history record check reimbursement fund administered by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to cover the costs of these background checks. Applicants or their employing school districts will be responsible for paying the fees associated with these background checks. The bill also mandates that employees who have been convicted of certain serious offenses or entered into criminal diversion agreements must report these to their school district or public innovative district within 30 days, with failure to do so constituting a class B nonperson misdemeanor. Additionally, the state board of education is prohibited from issuing or renewing licenses for individuals convicted of specified serious offenses, and must revoke existing licenses for such individuals. The goal of these provisions is to enhance student safety by ensuring thorough background checks for those working in educational settings.

Justice

Judiciary (Senate)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb246/