Effective July 1, the Utah State Board of Education is now requiring more criminal background checks for those working in the school system, according to localnews8.com. The change comes after an audit that described the current background check system as flawed and ineffective.
The background checks will be required every time a teacher renews his/her license. Currently, Utah educators renew their teaching licenses every five years.
Bus drivers and other non-licensed education employees will be subject to periodic background checks. Furthermore, both licensed and non-licensed employees must report any arrests or convictions within 48 hours of an incident occurring.
The state education office will also work with the Department of Public Safety to track education employees in a database that will inform officials if an employee has been arrested.
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