New State Law in Pennsylvania Makes Background Checks Mandatory

In a move that has been met with some controversy, the state of Pennsylvania recently put a law into effect that now makes it mandatory for all employees of private, public and vocational schools to undergo a criminal background check. Though this is definitely something that most parents will cheer on, unfortunately it could mean the termination for some teachers, aides and administrators who may currently be employed by the schools.

The new law will be retroactive, meaning all current employees in Pennsylvania schools will be subject to a state criminal records search which will go back several years and will also provide the schools with a notification within 72 hours of any criminal behavior being done by any of their current employees. The law additionally will ban individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes, like kidnapping, stalking and assault for their lifetime from being employed by any school in Pennsylvania.

Though this law will certainly be challenged by some, it definitely brings the fact to the fore front that having felony background checks done on those who are around children on a daily basis is extremely important. In recent times, especially after the coaching scandals of late, background checks are becoming mandatory all over the country.

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