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House tightens expungement rules and teacher-certification access to criminal records; bills pass
Summary
The Utah House approved amendments to the expungement law and companion legislation on school-employee conduct that bar expungement of child sexual-abuse convictions, require victim notification, and allow the State Office of Education to view criminal records for teacher-certification applicants. Sponsors said the changes protect children; some members pressed for narrow scope and due process safeguards.
The Utah House on Feb. 14 approved a set of related measures tightening expungement procedures and expanding school-employee reporting and certification restrictions.
Representative Jerry Jensen, sponsor of House Bill 152, said the amendment requires victims who request notice to be notified by the Department of Corrections if an offender seeks expungement, bars expungement of child sexual-abuse convictions, and permits the State Office of Education to obtain criminal records for teacher-certification applicants. "This is an attempt to eradicate that type of offense from our school classrooms," Jensen said during debate.
Jensen…
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