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Parents, survivors and school officials press for stronger background checks after repeated cases of staff misconduct
Summary
House Bill 7,356 would create more comprehensive criminal and employment background checks for school employees. Parents, survivors and school‑committee members described a pattern they called "passing the trash" when problematic staff move between districts; unions and school administrators warned the bill, as drafted, is administratively and legally challenging.
Representative Lita Chippendale introduced House Bill 7,356 as a response to local incidents in which school staff accused of misconduct moved between districts and continued working. She said parents were "shocked" by the events and that the bill aims to close information gaps that let problem employees be rehired elsewhere.
Multiple parents and survivors gave emotional testimony. Laurie Gaddis Barrett said parents in her district organized after a teacher resigned while under investigation and described a pattern of "passing the trash" that left families without answers. Survivor Heidi Rogers told the committee she had never publicly discussed her childhood abuse before and urged lawmakers to place student safety ahead of administrative convenience: "These instances of abuse...do not end when the abuse stops," she said.
Supporters argued the bill would require districts to check personnel records and could include routine rechecks after hiring. Robert Carradiere and other witnesses urged regular follow‑up checks, not only pre‑hire screening.
Opposition testimony included Alex Luschini of NEA Rhode Island, who said the bill as drafted would create unfunded mandates, privacy concerns and uneven standards for applicants. Luschini argued that local human resources offices lack the staffing and expertise required to implement 20‑year employment investigations across jurisdictions, and recommended collaborative fixes and state support.
Attorney Tim Conlin said the bill would reduce a source of litigation he has represented for decades and encouraged lawmakers not to let "the perfect be the enemy of the good." Committee members and sponsor representatives exchanged technical questions about funding, who would conduct checks, and whether independent investigators could be hired through existing school‑committee budgets.
Chair McEntee and members thanked witnesses and said committee staff would review the extensive written submissions. The bill was held for further study.
