Background checks for all coaches

Background checks may not just be for full-time employees in school districts anymore.

A bill approved 118-11 by the House April 1 would require coaches for all extracurricular activities to undergo background checks.

The House approved SF2369, but inserted the language of HF2782 before giving approval. Rep. Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove) and Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) are the sponsors. The bill now returns to the Senate. A conference committee is expected to work out the differences.

Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) raised concerns about parents or community members who help with practices.

“My concern is we’re going to stymie some of that opportunity or incentive or volunteerism that comes out of those people if it’s rigmarole to have a background check,” Westrom said.

Bigham said it would only apply to those who came on a regular basis.

Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) said the bill could create a burden for school districts which are already strapped for cash.

“We’ve got an issue, but we’ve got an issue that should be dealt with with a tweezers; instead, we’re dealing with this issue with a nuclear bomb,” Buesgens said.

Bigham said the bill is proactive and comprehensive and has the support of the Minnesota School Boards Association and the Minnesota State High School League.

“If this prevents one incident, then this law has been successful,” Bigham said.