Pennsylvania strengthens law requiring school employees to report arrests, convictions

A Pennsylvania law that took effect last week strengthens state requirements of school employees to report arrests and convictions to their bosses. The law applies to employees at public and private schools.

Sexual assault and child luring are now on the list of crimes that could get an employee a lifetime ban, as noted in this full explainer by the Patriot-News. Homicide and drug convictions have long been on the liftime ban list, and now multiple DUI violations will result in a three-year ban.

Teachers, administrators, support staff, student teachers and contractors fall under the law and will now have to disclose to their employers arrests or convictions for any of 27 offenses, regardless of when they occurred.

Employees have until the end of December to fill out forms.