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Bill to streamline fingerprint checks for school contractors wins broad support from providers
Summary
HB1051 would allow contracted service providers to use a statewide fingerprinting clearance system (similar to bus-driver checks) to avoid repetitive fingerprinting and reduce service delays for students with IEPs. Speech‑language, OT and physical‑therapy groups supported the change; the Department of Education clarified 'designated volunteer' scope.
Representative Daniel Papovich Miller introduced HB1051 to add contracted education service providers to the existing statewide system used for bus drivers so providers need not be fingerprinted repeatedly in each district. Supporters said the change would reduce delays in mandated services for students.
Wendy Librand, president of the New Hampshire Speech Language Hearing Association, said the current approach creates significant delays and administrative burden: "I work for Booth Therapy Services and one of our employees has been fingerprinted in New Hampshire over 70 times," she told the committee, noting the resulting wait times for IEP-driven services can be four to eight weeks. Tracy Adams, president of the New Hampshire chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, said the bill would speed delivery of medically necessary services and reduce costs.
Steve Applebee, director at the Department of Education, clarified committee questions about volunteers: "Designated volunteers are individuals who are deemed to be at a higher level than a straight volunteer. So a parent going on a field trip is not typically a designated volunteer, but a coach who's alone with children would be a designated volunteer," he said, which the committee used to frame how the bill would apply in practice.
Committee members asked clarifying questions and accepted written testimony; the hearing record shows support among several professional associations and no contentious opposition recorded during this session.
