While public school districts have been aware of the fingerprint-based criminal background check requirements for new employees for some time, the hiring process for the 2023-2024 school year is going to look different for both public and non-public schools with the adage of the new employment history reviews required by Faith’s Law. In our recent legislative update, we provided an overview of some of the requirements of Faith’s Law—a new law that amended the School Code to address sexual abuse prevention and response in schools. Among other requirements, trailer legislation to the original Faith’s Law adds new employment history check requirements for public and private K-12 schools, separate from fingerprint-based criminal background checks.

Effective July 1, 2023, all public and nonpublic schools (and contractors) will be required to conduct an employment history review of all applicants for employment who will have direct contact with children or students. Under the new law, schools are prohibited from hiring an applicant until the requirements of the employment history review have been completed.