By Linda Borg
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee has signed a bill requiring volunteers in schools to undergo a state criminal background check.
The Senate and House of Representatives gave final passage last week to companion bills by Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey, D-Warwick, and Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick.
State law already requires background checks for individuals seeking employment with a private school or public school department. This legislation expands the scope of the background check requirement to include volunteers who have direct and regular contact with students.
McNamara said this is "the safe and responsible thing to do. We don't want to stand in the way of volunteerism in schools, but we want to put student safety first."