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State legislators are reviewing a proposed bill that would create employment restrictions for people who have convictions for sexual offenses.

About The Bill

New Hampshire’s House Bill 107-FN (HB107-FN) is currently under consideration. Its primary goal is to prevent individuals who have convictions for certain sexual offenses from working or volunteering at organizations that provide services to minors. The bill also requires employers to run background checks on anyone who is applying at or volunteering for a position that would involve working directly with young people.

It also states that anyone who has certain types of convictions may not volunteer for positions that require working with children. If an individual with a qualifying sexual offense attempts to find employment or volunteer at an organization that offers services to or supervision of underaged persons, they will be found in violation of this law.

HB107-FN clarifies the types of offenses that are being called out include any Class A or B felony involving child sexual abuse images, a felonious physical assault on a minor, or any sexual assault that makes a person ineligible to work with or supervise minors.

Status Of HB107-FN

Representative Kevin Verville is the primary sponsor of this bill. This is his third attempt at getting it made into law. It passed in the House two other times but did not make it through the Senate. Since then, the bill has been revised in an attempt to meet expectations and concerns that were brought up during the reading of previous iterations.

Members of the House have discussed the proposed legislation at length. Some expressed that it might not be necessary because current law prevents individuals from holding positions that require: “The care, instruction or guidance of minor children, including, but not limited to, service as a teacher, a coach, or worker of any type in child athletics, a daycare worker, a boy or girl scout master or leader or worker, a summer camp counselor or worker of any type, a guidance counselor, or a school administrator of any type.” Verville believes more restrictions and protections for minors are necessary and continues to push this forward.

How Background Checks Protect People

Comprehensive background checks help protect employers, their customers and the general public. As the sponsors of HB107-FN have mentioned, running them can help hiring managers understand if a candidate has serious criminal convictions that indicate they pose an undue risk. Not running these reports could lead to accusations of negligent hiring and a loss of trust in the brand.

At Backgrounds Online, we think of background checks as small, but powerful insurance policies. They can help your business make informed decisions, conduct due diligence and protect your best interests along with the people you serve.

If you’re bringing on employees, volunteers or contractors, please contact us. Our experienced team can help you customize screening packages based on your particular needs, relevant laws and industry regulations. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.