STATEHOUSE (Jan. 24, 2013) – State Sen. Tom Wyss (R- Fort Wayne) today announced his legislation to protect Indiana’s schoolchildren passed in the State Senate by a vote of 47-0. Senate Bill 160 now moves to the House of Representatives for further action.

Currently, school corporations can request either a national criminal history background check or a background check that searches state records only. SB 160 would remove the second option and mandate any prospective school employee to undergo a national criminal history background check before being hired by an Indiana school corporation.

“If a school administrator only requests a state criminal background check, it could miss individuals unsuitable for being around children,” Wyss said. “This system fails to pick up anyone who has committed a crime out of state or under a different name. Now that we’re only giving school administrators one option for background checks, we’re ensuring candidates are receiving full scrutiny in the hiring process.”

Six senators joined Wyss’ efforts and were added as coauthors today: Sens. Mike Young (R-Indianapolis), Joe Zakas (R-Granger), Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn), Pat Miller (R-Indianapolis), Ron Grooms (R-Jeffersonville) and Mark Stoops (D-Bloomington).

The House sponsors are Reps. Rhonda Rhoads (R-Corydon) and Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne).