Capturing Beth R. Baker’s fingerprints on a computer screen was ink-free and took only a few minutes in Berks County, PA.
The Douglassville woman is no criminal; she’s just trying to find a full-time teaching job. The computer-generated finger print service beats going down to the police station to get her fingerprints taken with ink and paper.
Under a new state law, prospective school employees must add an FBI federal criminal history record, including fingerprints, to their résumé, application and references.
More than 500 people have been fingerprinted at the Berks County Intermediate Unit since the law took effect April 1. The intermediate unit is the only Berks County location offering the service, which costs $40.
Statewide, 80,000 to 100,000 people a year will be affected by the new law, said Nicole Rob, assistant press secretary for the state Department of Education.
Eric J. Shipe, a Kutztown University senior from Bernville recalled that when he was fingerprinted several years ago for a job at Pitney Bowes Inc, his fingers were stained with ink for two days.
The electronic fingerprinting equipment at the BCIU is ink-free, and the process takes about five minutes, said Eileen S. Fisher, human resources project manager.
State Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone said “It’s a preventative measure, to make sure we provide as many safeguards in the schools as we can. Rather be safe than sorry.”
The original article was written by Erin Negley.
