Hassan signs school background check expansion

On Friday, May 20 Gov. Maggie Hassan signed SB 152, a bill that expands the information included in background checks for school employees and volunteers.

SB 152 specifically expands the background check process to include misdemeanors as well as felonies.  The bill also states that only the superintendent (or CEO of a charter school) may see the results of a background check.

Bill supporters pointed to the case of a Claremont teacher arrested for sexual assault.  That teacher had been charged with a felony for a previous encounter with a student but ultimately pled to a misdemeanor charge.  That misdemeanor was not included in the background check for the Claremont position.

Bill opponents expressed concern about including all types of misdemeanors in a background check.  Rep. Christopher Adams provided the example of an individual convicted of "breach of peace" for participating in a protest at a political event.  A superintendent might discriminate against an otherwise excellent applicant because of such a misdemeanor conviction.

Do you support SB 152?  Let us know in the comments.