SCHOOLS/EMPLOYEES: Requests that the state Department of Education study the costs associated with criminal background checks for teachers and other school employees and submit a written report to the House Committee on Education by March 1, 2027

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Aimee Freeman

The bill directs the Louisiana Department of Education to study the costs of criminal background checks for teachers and school employees and report findings by March 1, 2027.

Read by title, rules suspended, passed to 3rd reading.

Summary of Bill HR 398 (2026 Reg. Session, Louisiana)

Purpose and Intent

Urges and requests the Louisiana State Department of Education (DOE) to study the costs associated with criminal background checks for teachers and other school employees.

Requires a written report of findings, conclusions, and any recommendations for related legislation to be submitted to the House Committee on Education no later than March 1, 2027.

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

The resolution itself does not create new requirements for background checks or mandate changes in law. Instead, it directs the DOE to conduct a study and report back.

The study must cover, at minimum:

The costs of criminal background checks required by current law for the certification and employment of teachers and other school employees.
Who pays these costs.
How the payment of these costs is handled by school governing authorities across the state.
Whether there are ways to defray or reduce these costs for teachers and other school employees.

The DOE is explicitly allowed to seek input from the Legislative Auditor to aid the study.

Who Is Affected

Teachers and other school employees who are subject to criminal background checks for certification and employment.

School governing authorities (e.g., school districts, charter schools) that incur or manage the costs of these background checks.

The Louisiana Department of Education as the agency conducting the study.

Procedural and Timeline Details

The bill is a resolution; if adopted, it directs the DOE to complete the study and provide a written report to the House Committee on Education.

Reporting deadline: March 1, 2027.

The resolution references existing statutes governing background checks:

R.S. 15:587.1 regarding employers requesting background information for positions involving supervisory or disciplinary authority over children.
R.S. 17:15 regarding local school boards’ duties to determine arrests or convictions of applicants or employees.
R.S. 17:8.9 regarding the DOE’s authority to charge a background-check processing fee (capped at $25, with potential annual 5% increases) and to collect related fees.

Potential Impact and Context

Aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the financial burden associated with background checks on individual employees and school systems.

Could inform future legislative action to reduce or defray background-check costs, particularly if the study identifies substantial or inequitable costs borne by teachers, districts, or charter schools.

While not prescribing new policy, the study’s findings and any recommendations could lead to proposed amendments to statutes or DOE policies related to background-check funding.

Key Takeaways

The bill does not impose new background-check requirements nor appropriates funds.

It seeks a data-driven assessment of costs and funding mechanisms, with a view toward potential legislation to address cost burdens.

The required report to the House Education Committee is due by March 1, 2027.