Bill Seeks to Limit State Hiring Background Checks

The Ohio House has scheduled a possible vote on a bill that would limit public employers’ use of criminal background information in hiring. The question involves due process for the schools, not a move to take the provision out of the bill, he said. “We are well on our way to having a strong community school reform bill”.

The bill before the Senate Criminal Justice Committee Wednesday allows judges to deny requests for evidence gathering if it would annoy, embarrass or unduly burden the person from whom the evidence is sought.

Lawmakers say the bill would increase transparency and accountability.

Rep. Ron Amstuz (R., Wooster) said the bill is close to the finish line.

“There is cause for alarm in sending this to conference committee”, she told the rest of the House.

The bill sponsors are Rep. Kirk Schuring, a Canton Republican, and Stephen Slesnick, a Canton Democrat.

“This is a serious problem”.

The conference committee is also likely to address a recent state Supreme Court ruling that upheld the contract of a for-profit charter school manager that allowed it to retain ownership of equipment purchased with public dollars. “I haven’t seen any attempts”.

She said she hopes the committee, which will be made up of leaders of each house, will not make decisions behind closed doors or that leaders will spring changes to the bill on committee members moments before committee votes.

“I think they’re all just clarifying and strengthening amendments”, Lehner said.