HB628: “requiring certain non-public schools or education service providers that accept public funds to perform background checks on all employees and volunteers.”
This is a bill that would require nonpublic schools and education service providers who accept public funds to comply with requirements for criminal history background checks for employees and volunteers. This would also include any education program approved under NH’s “Learn Everywhere” program. Pretty straightforward and who wouldn’t want to keep school children as safe as possible even in an educational environment?
Republicans, that’s who.
About a week ago, while considering the bill, Republicans on the House Education Committee felt HB628 was needless. State law currently requires public school districts perform a criminal history background check on every person applying for any position in said district. The law also stops districts from hiring anyone until the background check is passed.
Naturally, the committee Democrats support the bill, arguing the benefit new security measures would bring to recent programs which permit families to use public money for nonpublic education. The argument was the state should now become proactive in vetting potential employees for those schools.
And naturally, Republicans disagreed. They felt it is up to the parents, not the state, to decide whether they feel comfortable sending their children to a private school. One Republican committee member stated “These are people that (parents) trust. Why the need for a background check?”
Really?!? That’s your argument??
Another Republican committee member said most private schools claim they already require background checks for potential employees, something their insurance companies ask for. This member also said when public adequacy funds are given to parents via “education freedom accounts,” that money should not be thought of as public funds anymore. Why? Well, because the schools are not public, therefore the state shouldn’t require background checks. A Democrat committee member who is a former teacher, stated having to go through criminal background checks for any position that this committee member previously held. “This is not an intrusion on people; this is a safety net for kids.”
The House Education Committee takes the bill up in Nov. and then it goes to the entire House to be voted on. If you would like to express your own opinion about this bill to the committee just click here.
On the other hand, in head-scratching disbelief, Republicans are instead pushing for House Bill 267, which would permit public school districts to perform more background checks “on any group of employees on a more frequent or reoccurring basis” than what is already required. Naturally, the Democrats have expressed concern about how this bill, which they are against, could be negatively used against some employees.
Again, if you would like to express your own opinion to the committee, as to the blatant hypocrisy between the two bills, just click here.