DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Public school districts would be required to conduct background checks on all employees under a bill approved by the Iowa House. The measure that unanimously passed Tuesday requires districts to pre-screen job applicants to see if they are listed on the state sex offender registry and registries for child abuse and dependent adult abuse. That includes part-time and substitute employees.  Current law requires federal and state criminal checks for licensed teachers and state checks on bus drivers.

Under the measure, districts would recheck employees every five years after their hiring date.  Republican Rep.  Megan Hess of Spencer amended the bill to require businesses to conduct criminal history and abuse registry checks on motorized food vendors, such as ice cream truck drivers.  The bill returns to the Senate for review.