Sponsors pitch expanded criminal background checks for providers paid with public education funds; homeschool groups and legal advocates object

CONCORD — Representative Dave Luno introduced House Bill 738 to require criminal‑history background checks for employees and volunteers of nonpublic schools and education service providers that accept public education funds and who provide in‑person instruction.

Sponsor and intent: Representative Luno said the bill is aimed at ensuring the safety of students when nonpublic entities or service providers receive state funds or contracts and deliver in‑person instruction. He emphasized the measure targets adults who are in direct, in‑person contact with students under state‑funded programs, not technical suppliers or remote vendors.

Scope and key provisions: The introduced text would require criminal background checks for three categories: (1) employees/volunteers of entities contracted by the Department of Education to provide services; (2) employees/volunteers at nonpublic schools or education providers that accept scholarship funding through the education‑tax credit program; and (3) employees or…