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TRENTON – The Senate Education Committee approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would set up a system to ensure that school employees that have been disqualified from working in schools have had their employment terminated by the school district.

“As a parent, I find it troubling that a school district could continue to employ someone with a known criminal background,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “I think every parent wants to know that when they send their children off to school, that they will learn in a safe environment with responsible adults. No district should be allowed to ignore the State’s criminal background requirements.”

EDISON – Citing concerns over individuals with criminal convictions found to be working in school districts, Senator Barbara Buono announced that she will be introducing legislation this fall to ensure that individuals disqualified under state law to work with children are in fact, prevented from being employed by school districts. According to a State Auditor’s review of 21 sampled school districts, six disqualified individuals were found to be working in school districts after being deemed unfit by the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance (OFAC) due to criminal records.

“It is inexcusable that individuals with criminal records slipped through the system and have access to children,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “Additional safeguards need to be implemented immediately before any children are harmed.”