(STATEHOUSE) – The Indiana House of Representatives voted in favor of State Rep. Chris May’s (R-Bedford) legislation that would require national criminal history background checks of all employees and volunteers at child care facilities.
Under current law, only those in direct contact with children at child care facilities are vetted. His legislation would ensure all employees and volunteers of child care centers and homes undergo a criminal history background check.
“Our children are our most vulnerable,” May said. “This legislation would eliminate a loophole that allows some who work in proximity of adolescents to bypass an important check if they’ve ever been convicted of a crime. It’s imperative we do everything we can to ensure the safety of children.”
The latest data available from the United States Children’s Bureau notes an estimated 678,000 children were determined to be victims of maltreatment in 2018. Child care facilities that do not screen everyone make it easier for abusers to find potential victims. This legislation would help ensure those tasked with the care of some of Indiana’s most vulnerable do not have criminal backgrounds.
For more information on House Bill 1264, visit iga.in.gov.
