Public School Worker Background Check Heads To State Senate

DENVER (CBS4)- Any contractor who does work for a public school will have to get a background check first under a bill headed to the state Senate.

The Senate Education Committee passed the measure unanimously Thursday afternoon. It requires all contractors, including electricians, plumbers, bus drivers and janitors to pass a background check.

The American Federation of Teachers is one organization supporting the bill.

"I think there's accountability for teachers administrators as well as classified staff this bill closes that transparency loophole and ensures our schools know who's working around the kids," said American Federation of Teachers spokesman Andy Pippin.

Part-time and full-time school employees already have to undergo background checks. Some school districts require volunteers to pass one as well.