The Oklahoma Legislature recently passed an amendment providing for more extensive background checks for child care workers. Under the current law, a child care facility must submit the following items to the Department of Human Services for all prospective employees: (1) a criminal history search by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations; (2) a search of the Oklahoma Child Care Restricted Registry; and (3) a request for the Department to conduct a records search of the Oklahoma Supreme Court Network’s records.

However, beginning November 1, 2013, child care facilities will have to conduct a national criminal history search for prospective employees, rather than only an OSBI search. A full version of the revised statute can be found here.

By Ross A. Crutchfield, rcrutchfield@dsda.com