Wyoming 2024 Regular Session

Wyoming House Bill HB0175

Introduced
2/15/24  
Report Pass
2/21/24  

Caption

Criminal history for volunteers in K-12 public schools.

Impact

The implementation of HB 0175 is expected to strengthen the procedural safeguards for students in educational environments. By formalizing the criminal history review process for volunteers, the bill aims to foster a sense of security amongst parents and guardians regarding who is interacting with their children in school settings. The proposed changes to existing laws would amend previous statutes related to background checks, aligning them more closely with current safety protocols adopted in many districts across the country.

Summary

House Bill 0175 addresses the requirements for criminal history checks of volunteers in K-12 public schools in Wyoming. The bill allows school districts to request fingerprints and obtain criminal histories for individuals volunteering in school settings. This move is geared towards enhancing the safety of school environments by ensuring that individuals with a criminal background do not have unsupervised access to students. The bill specifies that the costs associated with this process will be borne by the school districts themselves.

Contention

While the bill has garnered broad support from legislators, there may be concerns surrounding the practical aspects of implementing such checks. Critics of strict background check requirements often raise issues regarding the potential for deterring volunteers from participating in school activities due to the burdensome nature of fingerprinting and background checks. Opponents might argue that such measures could disproportionately affect certain demographics and diminish community involvement in education. However, proponents maintain that the benefits of ensuring a safe environment for students outweigh these concerns.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

WY SF0152

Occupational therapist criminal history.

WY HB0286

ETS consolidation.

WY HB0052

Revisor's bill.

WY SF0174

Wyoming charter school authorizing board.

WY SF0026

Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact.

WY SF0010

Licensed professional counselor compact.

WY HB0287

Gaming districts and amendments.

WY HB0115

Elections administration.

WY SF0143

Wyoming freedom scholarship act-2.

WY HB0194

Wyoming freedom scholarship act.

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