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Coaches and leaders of other school activities
would be in for some extra scrutiny under a House bill that aims to
protect children from sexual exploitation.

      The Minnesota House voted 118-11 for a plan to make school
districts run criminal background checks on coaches and those who
lead other extracurricular activities.

      Rep. Karla Bigham said news reports about coaches having
inappropriate sexual contact with students prompted her proposal.

      "If this prevents one incident, then this law has been
successful," said Bigham, DFL-Cottage Grove.

      Objections came from Rep. Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan, who said the
requirement would be another burden for strapped school districts
and could make it harder to recruit coaches.

      Bigham's bill differs from a Senate version, so negotiators will
be named to work out a compromise.

      The Senate version would require the checks for volunteers who
coach or lead other activities at least weekly. Bigham said her
bill would not apply to volunteers such as parents and senior
citizens who help out with school activities.

      Meanwhile, the Senate gave preliminary approval to a separate
bill requiring schools to contact the Board of Teaching before
hiring a teacher. The goal is to determine if any disciplinary
action is on file against the teacher involving inappropriate
sexual conduct with a student.

      Sen. Kathy Saltzman, DFL-Woodbury, cited a nationwide Associated
Press investigation that found some teachers who had their licenses
suspended for inappropriate behavior involving children were later
hired by other districts that didn't know of their pasts.

Gallery

Coaches and leaders of other school activities
would be in for some extra scrutiny under a House bill that aims to
protect children from sexual exploitation.


Minn. House supports background checks for school coaches

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