HB 1051 — modifying the procedures and requirements for school bus driver criminal history records checks and expanding the personnel subject to such checks.

CHAPTER 116 HB 1051 - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 5Mar2026...

CHAPTER 116 HB 1051 - VERSIONFINAL ADOPTEDVERSION BY BOTH BODIES 5Mar2026...

1116:1 School Bus Driver Criminal History Records Check;

Procedures ModifiedModified. RSA 189:13-b is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

RSA 189:13-b is repealed and reenacted to read as follows:

The department of education shall complete a criminal history records check on all school bus drivers, school transportation vehicle drivers, school bus monitors, designated volunteers, and contracted service providersproviders, as would school administrative units, school districts, and chartered public schools pursuant to RSA 189:13-a.

II.(a) The school bus driver, school transportation vehicle driver, school bus monitor, designated volunteer, or contracted service provider with a school administrative unit, school district, chartered public school, public academy, or non-public special education school shall submit to the department a criminal history records release form, as provided by the division of state police, which authorizes the division of state police to conduct a criminal history records check through its state records and through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and to release a report of the individual's criminal history record information, including confidential criminal history record information, to the background check coordinator of the department, as described in RSA 21-N:8-a, I-I-a. a.

HB 1051 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES - Page 2 - IV.(a) The department shall maintain the confidentiality of all criminal history records information received pursuant to this section.

CHAPTER 116 HB 1051 - FINAL VERSION - Page 2 - V.(a) Any person who has been charged pending disposition for or convicted of any violation or attempted violation of RSA 318-B:2 for possession of a controlled drug with the intent to sell, felony level, within the last 10 years,years; RSA 630:1;

630:1-a;RSA 630:1, 630:1-a, 630:1-b, 630:2, 630:3, 631:1, 631:2, 631:2-b, 632:1, 632- A:2, 632-A:3, 632-A:4, 633:1, 633:7, 636:1, 638:1, 638:15-a, 639:2, 639:3, 645:1, II or III, 645:2, 649-A:3, 649-A:3-a, 649-A:3-b, 649-B:3, or 649-B:4;

630:1-b;

630:2;

630:3, 631:1;

631:2, 631:2-b, 632:1, 632-A:2;

632-A:3;

632-A:4;

633:1;

633:7;

636:1, 638:1, 638:15-a, 639:2;

639:3;

645:1, II or 645:1, III;

645:2;

649-A:3;

649-A:3-a;

649-A:3-b;

649-B:3;

or 649-B:4;

The department of education shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, governing the rights of educational and contracted personnel and their ability to appeal a denial of a clearance pursuant to a charge pending disposition for or a conviction of any of the offenses under RSA 189:13-189:13-b, b, V.

2116:2 Effective Date.

HBApproved: 1051 - VERSION ADOPTED BY BOTH BODIES LBA 26-2460 03/19/2026 HB 1051- FISCAL NOTE AS AMENDED BY THE HOUSE (AMENDMENT #2026-0711h) AN ACT modifying the procedures and requirements for school bus driver criminal history records checks and expanding the personnel subject to such checks.

FISCALJune IMPACT:02, 2026 Effective Date:

EstimatedJuly State01, Impact FY 2026 FYCHAPTER 2027116 FYHB 20281051 FY- 2029FINAL RevenueVERSION $0 Up to $25,000 Per Year Revenue Fund(s) Restricted Education Credentialing Fund Revenue Expenditures* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None Appropriations* $0 $0 $0 $0 Funding Source(s) None *Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the Department of Education to conduct criminal history record checks for school bus drivers, transportation vehicle drivers, bus monitors, designated volunteers, and contracted service providers.

Clearances are valid for five (5) years.

The Department states that restricted state revenue could increase by up to $25,000 per year, assuming a $100 fee is charged per clearance (the Department anticipates that fewer than 250 additional individuals would be subject to the background check requirements).The Department states any administrative increase from this bill would likely be absorbed by its current budget and staff.

The Department notes that should the number of checks requested significantly exceed the above estimate, it may need additional part-time staff to handle the increased workload.

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Education