(1) To be eligible for appointment in any position in any district school system, a person must be of good moral character; must have attained the age of 18 years, if he or she is to be employed in an instructional capacity; must not be ineligible for such employment under s. 1012.315; and must, when required by law, hold a certificate or license issued under rules of the State Board of Education or the Department of Children and Families, except when employed pursuant to s. 1012.55 or under the emergency provisions of s. 1012.24. Previous residence in this state shall not be required in any school of the state as a prerequisite for any person holding a valid Florida certificate or license to serve in an instructional capacity.
(2)(a) Instructional and noninstructional personnel who are hired or contracted to fill positions that require direct contact with students in any district school system or university lab school must, upon employment or engagement to provide services, undergo background screening as required under s. 1012.465 or s. 1012.56, whichever is applicable.
(b)1. Instructional and noninstructional personnel who are hired or contracted to fill positions in a charter school other than a school of hope as defined in s. 1002.333, and members of the governing board of such charter school, in compliance with s. 1002.33(12)(g), upon employment, engagement of services, or appointment, shall undergo background screening as required under s. 1012.465 or s. 1012.56, whichever is applicable.
2. Instructional and noninstructional personnel who are hired or contracted to fill positions in a school of hope as defined in s. 1002.333, and members of the governing board of such school of hope, upon employment, engagement of services, or appointment, shall undergo background screening as required under s. 1012.465 or s. 1012.56, whichever is applicable.
(c) Instructional and noninstructional personnel who are hired or contracted to fill positions that require direct contact with students in an alternative school that operates under contract with a district school system must, upon employment or engagement to provide services, undergo background screening as required under s. 1012.465 or s. 1012.56, whichever is applicable.
(d) Student teachers and persons participating in a field experience pursuant to s. 1004.04(5) or s. 1004.85 in any district school system, lab school, or charter school must, upon engagement to provide services, undergo background screening as required under s. 1012.56.
A person subject to this subsection who is found ineligible for employment under s. 1012.315, or otherwise found through background screening to have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude as defined by rule of the State Board of Education, may not be employed, engaged to provide services, or serve in any position that requires direct contact with students. The cost of the background screening may be borne by the employer or a person subject to this subsection.
(3) A background screening required under this section shall be conducted in accordance with s. 435.12.
History.—s. 706, ch. 2002-387; s. 9, ch. 2004-295; s. 27, ch. 2008-108; s. 69, ch. 2013-116; s. 6, ch. 2013-185; s. 380, ch. 2014-19; s. 36, ch. 2018-6; s. 16, ch. 2021-35; s. 59, ch. 2022-154; s. 11, ch. 2023-220.
