A bill for an act requiring schools to perform criminal history checks prior to engaging any person to construct a new attendance center or to perform certain specified renovations or remodeling work.
Impact
The bill is significant as it formalizes a requirement for schools, including public and accredited nonpublic institutions, to conduct thorough background checks for construction personnel. This regulation may lead to increased accountability and safety standards in school environments, ensuring that individuals with abusive backgrounds are barred from participating in any school construction activities. The requirement for documentation of compliance further bolsters this aim by creating a clear audit trail for schools.
Summary
House File 804 requires schools in Iowa to conduct criminal history checks before engaging contractors for construction work on new attendance centers and specific renovations. The bill mandates that school boards have access to and must review sex offender registries and related child and adult abuse registries to assess potential workers involved in construction projects. This policy aims to enhance safety within school facilities, particularly during periods when students are present on-site.
Contention
Notably, while proponents of HF804 assert that such measures are necessary for protecting students, there could be potential concerns about the financial implications for schools regarding the costs of performing these background checks. Additionally, discussions surrounding the feasibility and thoroughness of the checks and how they may affect the availability of qualified contractors could arise. Another point of contention involves the balance between necessary safety precautions and the operational impact on school construction projects, particularly in regions where contractor availability is already limited.
Energy: building energy efficiency: heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment: sale registry and compliance tracking system: compliance document data registry.
Energy: building energy efficiency: heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment sale registry and compliance tracking system: electronic statewide compliance documentation data repository.