Jennifer Dutton

As a parent, I am grateful that New Hampshire takes student safety seriously by requiring background checks and fingerprinting for those working in schools. I value these protections for my own children and for all students. As a small business owner who contracts with multiple public school districts, I also recognize the importance of these safeguards. However, the current system creates a significant financial and logistical burden. Each school district requires a separate fingerprinting and background check, with costs ranging from $50–$70 per district, depending on local law enforcement policies. For a sole proprietor, these repeated costs add up quickly and become difficult to sustain. Additionally, the repeated processing of identical background checks through the state creates unnecessary administrative work for state offices. Many local police departments now charge for fingerprinting, further increasing costs and placing additional demands on limited law enforcement resources. Law enforcement time and effort should be focused on ensuring community safety, rather than duplicating background checks for individuals who have already been cleared.