Sarah Butler

I am a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist working in public schools across multiple districts. I strongly support this bill to create a statewide fingerprinting and background check database for school personnel. As a school-based clinician, I am required to complete fingerprinting and background checks repeatedly—often annually or every time I work in a new district—even though my role, license, and professional responsibilities remain the same. These repeated requirements create unnecessary financial costs, time burdens, and administrative delays for professionals who are already vetted and held to high ethical and legal standards. Importantly, I fully support thorough background checks for anyone working with children. Student safety must remain the highest priority. A statewide system would strengthen this goal by allowing districts to quickly verify clearance status, ensure ongoing compliance, and immediately identify any changes—rather than relying on fragmented, repetitive checks across districts. Reducing redundant fingerprinting would also help schools recruit and retain qualified providers. Many districts already struggle to staff related service position and streamlining this process would remove an unnecessary barrier while preserving accountability and safety. I urge you to support this bill as a common-sense solution that protects students, respects professional time, and allows educators and clinicians to focus on what matters most—serving children. Thank you for your consideration.