ATLANTA (March 20, 2013) – House Bill 350, which was carried in the Senate by Sen. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) passed the Senate today by a vote of 44-4. This bill requires all childcare center directors and employees as well as all Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) employees to pass a national fingerprint records check every five years.
“I am pleased by the favorable passage of HB 350 today,” said Sen. Miler. “We have taken a great step forward in protecting Georgia’s most precious and vulnerable population, our children.”
Current law requires the director of a DECAL-licensed childcare center to pass a national fingerprint records background check. All other employees are merely required to pass a name-based search of Georgia records.
HB 350 amends the background check provisions related to childcare centers by requiring that all employees pass a national fingerprints check, which searches for criminal records in all 50 states. These requirements are similar to those for Georgia public school employees. Currently, 26 states have similar legislation, as well as all states surrounding Georgia.
HB 350 will now travel to the Governor’s desk for approval.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 20, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028