A new law taking effect in Georgia on July 1st will significantly tighten background check requirements for individuals working with young children. House Bill 175 (HB 175) mandates comprehensive national and state-level fingerprint and registry checks for current and prospective employees and directors in early childhood education programs and Head Start.

The legislation aims to enhance the safety and well-being of children by expanding the scope of background checks required for those entrusted with their care. Key provisions of the law include: Expanded Definition of Comprehensive Background Check: This now necessitates a national FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check, along with searches of the National Crime Information Center’s National Sex Offender Registry. The law also mandates searches of state criminal registries, sex offender registries, and child abuse and neglect registries, not only in Georgia but in any state where the individual has resided within the past five years, based on information from Childcare.gov.

All current and prospective staff members in child care programs receiving federal funding are required to undergo these more rigorous background checks. Childcare facilities will be responsible for maintaining documentation confirming that all staff members have cleared the required background checks. Anyone failing to meet the standards set by the new law will be prohibited from employment at the facility.

Supporters of HB 175 believe it will provide an extra layer of protection for Georgia’s children, ensuring a safer environment within early childhood education settings. While the new regulations may present logistical challenges for childcare providers, the consensus is that the increased scrutiny is a necessary step toward safeguarding the state’s most vulnerable population