Committee advances bill to align initial licensure checks and reinstate applicants after 10 years

The Senate Education Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 72, a measure the sponsor described as aligning initial licensure treatment with an existing reinstatement pathway and beefing up periodic background checks for classified school employees.

Senator Stearch told the committee the bill would allow an applicant who had an eligible nonviolent, nonsexual offense more than 10 years old the same consideration on initial licensing that current law provides for reinstatement after 10 years. He also said the bill requires public school districts to perform statewide and nationwide criminal background checks and child‑maltreatment registry checks for existing and newly hired classified (nonlicensed) employees at least once every five years.

Committee members asked how the checks are performed. The chair read bill language specifying the Division of Identification Bureau of the State Police will complete statewide and nationwide checks, and Senator Stearch confirmed the checks are required through State Police processes rather than third‑party commercial vendors.

With no registered public testimony and no additional questions, the committee moved and seconded passage and the chair announced that "Bill passes." The bill was placed on the consent/regular track for further Senate consideration.

What’s next: SB72 will advance following committee passage; the bill’s implementation hinges on State Police background‑check procedures already in place.

Sources: Committee transcript; remarks by senator Stearch and committee chair.