A bill for an act requiring schools to perform criminal history checks prior to engaging any person to construct a new attendance center or to perform certain specified renovations or remodeling work.

HF 804 requires Iowa public and nonpublic schools to conduct criminal history checks on contractors and their employees before hiring them for specific construction or renovation projects at school buildings. It mandates schools to review three public registries (sex offenders, child abuse, and dependent adult abuse) for anyone working on new school buildings or renovations occurring during school hours with students present. Schools must document compliance, may charge contractors for the check costs, and must bar individuals listed in those registries from performing any construction work. This applies to all school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.