Waynesville adopts state law changes: SBI background checks for positions working with children start Oct. 1

The Town of Waynesville moved to implement Session Law 2025‑16, which requires criminal‑history record checks performed by the North Carolina SBI for applicants offered positions that include working with children. The council voted to adopt the required implementation steps, effective Oct. 1, 2025.

Paige in Human Resources briefed the council on the new law’s operational consequences: the town must extend conditional offers before requesting electronic fingerprinting and SBI checks; the checks may take up to two weeks to complete; criminal‑history record information (CHRI) is confidential and can be reviewed only by SBI‑authorized staff (Paige and the HR coordinator were named). The law does not provide an exhaustive list of disqualifying offenses, but it does define certain crimes that, if they amount to abuse of a juvenile, require denial of employment for roles working with children.

Paige said the law will particularly affect Parks & Recreation and the fire department because many seasonal and part‑time positions interact with minors. She warned the town will have to adjust recruitment timing and possibly use incentives such as hiring bonuses to attract candidates willing to wait through the longer pre‑hire process.

Council members acknowledged the policy’s child‑protection intent and asked staff to finalize a standard operating procedure and training for hiring managers, as described in the board packet. The council approved a motion to implement the new requirements and associated procedural steps; the motion passed by voice vote.

What’s next: HR will roll out the standard operating procedure, coordinate fingerprinting logistics with Haywood County law enforcement, and provide training to hiring managers. Departments with affected positions will be advised to begin recruitment earlier and consider mitigation measures for time‑sensitive hires.