New Hampshire is changing the way it handles criminal background checks for day care providers under a law signed this week by Governor Hassan.
Under the law, background checks for providers at licensed day care facilities will look through criminal databases, abuse and neglect registries and sex offender lists going back at least five years.
Jackie Cowell of Early Learning New Hampshire says the law also streamlines the background check process for providers who change jobs or work at multiple facilities.
"The criminal record check follows the employee, rather than the program," Cowell says. "They will now get a card which they can use; there's ease in that."
The cards will be valid for five years and will cost $50. The new system is set to take effect October 1st.
