Passed and written by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and passed today, House bill (2012-H7077)will make national and state criminal background check a requirement for anybody participating or applying to join in any mentoring program that involves working with students and kids.

State law already requires background checks for individuals seeking employment with a private school or public school department, “and this legislation simply expands the scope of that law to include others who will have direct and regular contact with young people, in school settings or other mentoring situations,” said Representative McNamara, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare.

“As programs such as these grow in school settings, adding this language to law is the safe and responsible thing to do” Rep. Joseph M. McNamara said.

The bill was introduced at the recommendation of the Rhode Island Mentoring Program, a non-profit organization that provides training and support for mentoring agencies in the state. The group operates the Feinstein Mentor Training Institute and one-on-one school-based mentoring programs in Warwick, Woonsocket and on Aquidneck Island.

Status
View latest bill text (Draft #1) [PDF]
February 15 2012 – House read and passed

Summary

An Act Relating To Education – School Committees And Superintendents (individuals Seeking To Participate In Any Mentoring Prog. Whereby The Individual Would Be Working With Student(s) In A Mentoring Situation Would Be Required To Undergo A Criminal Background Check Similar To Other Employees In A Public Or Private School.)