Legislative panel: Double-check child-care workers

Lawmakers on the Senate Education Committee unanimously agreed today that child-care workers and providers should be subject to background checks on both the federal and state level.

By Debi Brazzale

DENVER, CO (Colorado News Agency) - March 31, 2011 -- Lawmakers on the Senate Education Committee unanimously agreed today that child-care workers and providers should be subject to background checks on both the federal and state level.

Currently, when a person is employed in child care, a background check is done by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation check is done if the applicant has been in Colorado for less than two years.

House Bill 1145, by Rep. Beth McCann, D-Denver, and Sen. Lois Tochtrop, D-Thornton, would require the FBI background check to coincide with the CBI check regardless of how long someone has been in Colorado. The double-check would be required at the time of employment or any change in employer.

Tochtrop said including the federal background check for all applicants ensures that the applicant doesn’t have a record that might not be flagged on a state background check.

“It’s important that we do this because we need to protect the most vulnerable—young children. The added background check ensures their safety,” said Tochtrop.

A CBI background check costs $17.50 and the federal background check would be an additional $22.  Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Arvada, said although she supports the concept of the bill, she has concerns about the fee increase for applicants.

“I’m really concerned about this fee increase,” said Hudak. “These are people living on a shoestring as it is.”

Hudak said the fee increase might inadvertently trigger a wave of non-compliance among some people in the child-care industry if they want to avoid the fees.

“I have a fear of what could happen if the fees go up and more workers go underground—under the radar—with no supervision,” said Hudak.

Yet, Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, said the added scrutiny could benefit providers as well as the children in ways that outweigh any risks posed by increasing the fees.

“The kids will be more protected with the more thorough background check, but it will also help protect providers from liability,” said Renfroe.

The measure is now headed to the full Senate for consideration.