INDIANAPOLIS—The General Assembly recently considered a bill co-authored by State Senator Jim Arnold (D-LaPorte) expanding background checks for school employees.

Senate Bill (SB) 160 would require national criminal history checks when school corporations bring on new employees. Current law mandates that school corporations have two options when seeking background checks for employees. Schools can either request records within Indiana or seek a national criminal history check. SB 160 would eliminate the first option as an acceptable type of record search, giving schools more comprehensive information when considering their potential employees.

“We need to give schools every opportunity to keep their students safe,” Sen. Arnold said. “By ensuring that schools know exactly who they are hiring, we can hopefully create a more secure learning environment.”

SB160 passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law and by the full Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Sen. Arnold represents District 8 in the Indiana State Senate which encompasses the majority of La Porte County including the City of La Porte and the eastern part of Michigan City. It also includes western St. Joseph County and Davis, Oregon, Washington, Center and Jackson townships in Starke County.

For more information on Sen. Arnold, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/S8.

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