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Delegate proposes five-year hiring bar for failure to report criminal charges in schools
Summary
House Bill 14-18 would expand the list of crimes that disqualify people from school employment and bar hiring for five years when someone fails to report a charge or conviction. Sponsor said the change was prompted by local reporting that found charged individuals working in school systems.
Delegate Lauren Arkin told the Ways and Means Committee the bill was drafted after local reporting — she referenced Fox 45 — showed individuals charged with serious crimes were working in school systems. Arkin said the bill expands the list of disqualifying offenses and adds a five‑year ineligibility period for anyone who fails to report a charge or conviction as required by policy.
"We found, that a gentleman that had been charged with 15 felony counts... He had been hired after he had been charged," Arkin said, describing cases that prompted the delegation to act. Arkin emphasized protecting students, including those described as vulnerable, and said the measure would prevent people with serious pending criminal charges from being hired.
Committee members did not pose additional questions and the hearing on HB 14-18 concluded. The committee paused before votes and scheduled subcommittee meetings later in the day to consider related bills.
