School Safety Law & Fingerprinting

On January 1, 2006, the State of Michigan mandated that fingerprints and state and federal criminal background checks be secured for all current and new employees of Michigan public schools (2005 PA 129-131 and 138).  Schools are prohibited from allowing covered individuals who are convicted of "listed offenses" to work under contract in any school.

The new law also requires employees to self-report to the district and the Michigan Department of Education any criminal charges or arraignments brought against them during their employment with the district.  Employees must report charges to the Human Resources Office within three days of arraignment.

By statute, school districts are only allowed to accept the transfer of fingerprint results from other K-12 institutions and as long as the individual remains employed with no separation from service by any school district in Michigan.