NEW: Law Forces Student Mentors to Undergo Background Checks

NEW: Law Forces Student Mentors to Undergo Background Checks

Individuals seeking jobs with a private school or public school department will be required by law to undergo criminal background check under legislation passed this year.

Passed and signed into law are two bills – 2012-H 7077 by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) and 2012-S 2513aa, by Sen. William A. Walaska (D-Dist. 30, Warwick).

The legislation, said the sponsors, is aimed at improving the safety of students by extending the background check to mentors who, like others working in an educational setting, have direct and regular contact with young people.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

The legislation was introduced at the recommendation of the Rhode Island Mentoring Program, a non-profit organization that provides training and supporting for mentoring agencies in the state. The group operates the Feinstein Mentor Training Institute and one-on-one school-based mentoring programs in Warwick, Woonsocket and on Aquidneck Island.

The new law is now in effect.