Legislative Update: Screened Volunteers October 3, 2019 Copyright 2019

Dear Nettie,

As you are aware, a number of education-related provisions were debated by the General Assembly last session. When session ended and the dust settled, approximately twenty-five (25) education-related provisions had been approved by the Missouri Legislature. Recently, a few of our members have expressed confusion regarding one of those provisions.

The confusion stems from a provision which deals with school volunteers, specifically "screened volunteers." Pursuant to Section 168.133 in HB 604, a screened volunteer is "any person who assists a school by providing uncompensated service and who may periodically be left alone with students." Section 168.133 goes on to state that, "[t]he school district shall ensure that a criminal background check is conducted for all screened volunteers, who shall complete a criminal background check prior to being left alone with a student." And, "[v]olunteers that are not screened shall not be left alone with a student or have access to student records."

Upon its passage, it was believed that any background check would suffice to meet this requirement (e.g., a $13-14 records check). As a result, this change in the law was seen as largely noncontroversial as many school districts around the state were already conducting some form of a background check on their volunteers. Unfortunately, that no longer appears to be the case. Instead, it appears that Section 168.133 requires screened volunteers to undergo a fingerprint background check.

The reason for this determination is that existing statutory text contained within Section 168.133 states that, "[i]n order to facilitate the criminal history background check, the applicant shall submit a set of fingerprints collected pursuant to standards determined by the Missouri highway patrol." At the time of its passage, it was believed this existing language pertained only to personnel. However, that is not the case as it is now being interpreted to pertain to volunteers as well.

Obviously, a fingerprint check is more involved and costlier. The likely result from this change is that fewer individuals will volunteer their time. And, that is incredibly unfortunate.

As a reminder, please bear in mind that screened volunteers are only those volunteers who may be left alone with students. Thus, if a school district knows that a volunteer will not be left alone with students, no legal requirement exists for the district to have the volunteer undergo a fingerprint background check. Also, please know that there is no legal requirement for the district to pay for the fingerprint background check and, thus, costs of the fingerprint background check can be passed on to the volunteer.

Because this change is a stark departure from previous operations, we recommend that you contact your policy provider and your district's legal counsel to discuss this change in greater detail. You may also contact our office if you have additional questions or concerns. Complete Listing of 2019 Bill Summaries Impacting Education If you can not access this link, simply copy and paste http://www.mcsa.org/reference/BillsSummary.htm in your browser.

Legislators That Represent A Portion of Your School District:

Senators Gina Walsh (D) Phone: 573-751-2420 Brian Williams (D) Phone: 573-751-4106

Representatives Tommie Pierson Jr. (D) Phone: 573-751-6845 Alan Green (D) Phone: 573-751-2135 (D) Phone: 573-751-9628 (D) Phone: 573-751-5365 Paula Brown (D) Phone: 573-751-4163 Raychel Proudie (D) Phone: 573-751-0855 (D) Phone: 573-751-4726 (D) Phone: 573-751-5538 We have important information to share with you about a new law on screened volunteers

We invite all current and new volunteers to join us for a brief volunteer informational meeting at one of the times/dates below:

Monday, October 14 @ 10:00am Monday, October 14 @ 10:30am Wednesday, October 16 @ 9:00am Wednesday, October 16 @ 5:00pm Wednesday, October 16 @ 5:30pm

Meetings will take place at the HSD Administration Building, 15955 New Halls Ferry Road, Florissant, MO 63031 Please call to register at 314-953-5160 or [email protected]

A light meal will be served NEW VOLUNTEER PROCESS

Effective immediately, Missouri HB 604 Section 168.133 requires all screened volunteers to undergo a fingerprint background check with the Missouri Highway Patrol. Even if the volunteer previously completed a HSD background check, fingerprints are now required. The District has chosen IdentoGo to complete the fingerprinting process.

How to Apply

Interested volunteers need to register with Human Resources by clicking the link: http://bit.ly/2OEARMf

Fingerprint Registration and Scheduling

On-line: WWW.MACHS.MO.GOV Telephone: 844.543.9712 Hazelwood District code #1825

Important to record the confirmation Universal Enrollment ID#, you will need the UEID# in order to get fingerprinted.

Payment

The one-time fee is $45.

No payments accepted on-line. Payment is collected at the time of finger printing. NO CASH or Personal Checks only Credit Card, Debit Card, Business Check or Money Order.

Acceptable Forms of Identification

In order to get fingerprinted, you must present a valid government issued photo ID such as a Drivers’ License, State ID, Passport or Military ID. Copies and expired identification will not be accepted.

Notification and Badges

HR will notify volunteers and administrators, in writing, if approved or denied. If approved, volunteer should call Sharon Taylor-Simms at 314.953.5079 to schedule an appointment to get a badge. You must present a photo ID to get your badge. If you already have a badge, there is no need to get a new one. Approved volunteers are eligible to volunteer throughout the District.

Recently Fingerprinted

If you completed a fingerprint background check within the last 90 days you will not have to complete a new one, if the organization that completed the background check is willing to share the report with the District. The report must be received directly from the organization, copies are not acceptable.

Contact Kathy Jackson, Benefits Coordinator at [email protected] or call 314.953.5190.

10/19