South Dakota schools must now conduct criminal background investigations on all employees over 18 through fingerprint checks with state and federal authorities before they start work, though schools can allow temporary employment while waiting for results. Schools can withdraw job offers or fire temporary employees if the background check reveals disqualifying criminal records, and schools may cover the costs of fingerprinting and investigations. The bill also clarifies that people officiating school events and technical college instructors are either exempt from or included in these background check requirements, respectively.
The amendment adds "accredited" before each reference to "school district" throughout the bill, narrowing the background investigation requirements to apply only to accredited school districts rather than all school districts.
The amendment changed "school district" to "school" throughout the bill, broadening the criminal background investigation requirements to apply to all accredited schools, not just school districts.
Signed by the Governor H.J. 452
Delivered to the Governor H.J. 400
Signed by the President S.J. 346
Signed by the Speaker H.J. 373
Senate Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 34, NAYS 0. S.J. 296
Education Certified uncontested, placed on consent S.J. 13
Education Do Pass Passed, YEAS 6, NAYS 0. S.J. 13
Education Scheduled for hearing
First read in Senate and referred to Senate Education S.J. 143
House of Representatives Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 65, NAYS 2. H.J. 166
Education Certified uncontested, placed on consent H.J. 6
Education Do Pass Amended Passed, YEAS 14, NAYS 0. H.J. 5
Education Motion to amend H.J. 5
Education Scheduled for hearing
Education Scheduled for hearing
First read in House and referred to House Education H.J. 12
Do Pass Amended
Education — Do Pass
Do Pass Amended
Education — Do Pass Amended