New bill seeks to tighten screening for some workers

BOISE (AP) - A Senate committee has backed strengthening screening protocols for Idaho's teachers and child care workers, saying employers shouldn't have to conduct a second background check to know if their employees' criminal records change.

The legislation, backed by Idaho State Police, would retain employee fingerprint records in ISP and FBI databases rather than automatically deleting them once a background check occurs. The records would only be retained for certain positions where background checks are required by state law.

The Senate Judiciary and Rules committee approved introducing the bill Monday.

In 2013, a northern Idaho school changed its screening process after it was discovered a teacher was hired less than a year after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault and child abuse in another state.