Dear Contractors:

Effective September 1, 2005, changes in legislation under the Jessica Lunsford Act now require all contractors of the school board, all subcontractors of such contractors, and all employees of such contractors and/or subcontractors to undergo a Level II background screening, which consists of an FDLE/FBI search.

Who will be required to complete this screening?

1. If your employees will be at a school when students are present, or
2. Have direct contact with students, or
3. Have access to or control of school funds.

If you have no personnel who meet any of the three criteria, the law does not apply to you and you do not need to take action.

The Technical Assistance Paper for the Jessica Lunsford Act can be accessed at: http://info.fldoe.org/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-3151/k12 05-107a (NOTE: this link opens a pdf document)

Fingerprints must be kept current and will be required to be updated every five years. Any break in service will require individuals to be re-fingerprinted at their cost. Outside agencies’ reports will not be accepted. A Contractor’s Checklist has been prepared outlining steps to take prior to sending employees to be fingerprinted.

Effective July 1, 2007, Senate Bill 988-High Risk Offenders, amended the Jessica Lunsford Act provisions that require background checks for contractors on school grounds, and provided an opportunity for school districts to make allowable changes to their district procedure. Our district has decided to continue its current fingerprinting and background check requirements, and will not adopt the statutorily allowed changes with the exception of:

Contract employees who work, and at all times remain in an area separated from students by a chain link fence that is at least six feet high, will not be subject to fingerprinting and background screening requirements. This exception will be determined through the Facilities Department as a part of the bid process. Contractors to whom this exception applies will be responsible for maintaining the required fence and for ensuring that workers do not enter any part of the school site which is beyond the fence. Failure of the contractor to meet this requirement will void the contractor’s exemption.

All fingerprinting must be completed through the Fingerprinting Department with the School District at the Instructional Services Center, 2920 N. 40th St., Tampa, FL 33605. Hours of operation are Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If you have any specific questions regarding the procedures to fingerprint, please call (813) 840-7178.

Jessica Lunsford Act Documents