Millett background checks for school employees bill takes effect
AUGUSTA — “An Act to Require Background Checks for All School Employees” went into effect last week. This bill was unanimously supported by the 128th Maine State Legislature and will require school districts to be attentive to ensuring the safety of Maine children.
Sen. Rebecca Millett introduced the bill, LD 1286, after news reports revealed that not all school employees were undergoing background checks before working in Maine schools. The new law will ensure all school employees are up-to-date on their background checks and fingerprinting requirements, in accordance with state law.
“When parents send their children to school, they trust that the school administrators and the state have done their due diligence to ensure that Maine kids are in safe hands,” said Sen. Millett.
Under the new law, school districts will begin sharing lists of school employees to the Maine Department of Education on Jan. 1, 2019, and quarterly thereafter. The Department will check whether each employee listed has complied with all necessary criminal record checks and fingerprinting requirements. If an employee has not complied, the Department must notify the school district.
Sen. Millett was re-elected to serve Senate District 29 in the 129th Maine State Legislature. The new Legislature will convene on Wednesday, Jan. 2.
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