Candidates for school board could find themselves needing to complete a criminal background check as part of their campaign.

State Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Luzerne, has introduced House Bill 851 to require state and federal criminal history reports, a certificate from the Department of Health clarifying whether the candidate is a perpetrator in a child abuse investigation and a full set of fingerprints. Candidates who do not do so would be ineligible to run for school board.

Mullery’s legislation has been referred to the House’s State Government Committee.

“Throughout our state, school board members interact with students but are not held to the same level of accountability as teachers and administrators,” Mullery said. “As a matter of safety, my bill would require anyone running to serve on a school board to undergo background checks before initiating their campaign.”

In New Jersey, school board members have to undergo a background check within 30 days of their election or appointment. Those who do not complete the fingerprinting process can be declared ineligible to serve, while candidates can be disqualified from office if they commit any of the following crimes:

¯ any crime in the first- or second-degree;

¯ manufacture, transportation, sale, possession, distribution or habitual use of drugs;

¯ a crime involving the use of force or the threat of force to or upon a person or property including, but not limited to, robbery, aggravated assault, stalking, kidnapping, arson, manslaughter and murder;

¯ recklessly endangering another person;

¯ makes terroristic threats

¯ criminal restraint;

¯ luring, enticing child into motor vehicle, structure or isolated area;

¯ Causing or risking widespread injury or damage;

¯ criminal mischief;

¯ burglary;

¯ usury;

¯ threats and other improper influence;

¯ perjury and false swearing;

¯ resisting arrest;

¯ escape; and

¯ bias intimidation.