Act 24 - Background Checks for School Employees

Important Changes to the School Code Effective September 28, 2011

Act 24 of 2011 contains a number of significant changes to the Pennsylvania Public School Code that are designed to enhance the safety of school children.  Among the changes is a requirement that all current school employees certify whether or not they have been previously arrested or convicted of a Section 111(e) offense.  A complete list of all Section 111(e) offenses are on the enclosed PDE-6004 form

Under Act 24, all current school employees are required to complete, sign and return the enclosed PDE-6004 form to the Human Resources Department no later than December 27, 2011.  If a school employee refuses to submit the form, Act 24 mandates school administrators require that the employee submit current background checks at the employee’s expense.   

Additionally, school employees are required to report to the Director of Human Resources  within 72 hours of any arrest or conviction of an offense listed in Section 111(e) that occurs after September 28, 2011.  The PDE-6004 form shall be used to report these arrests or convictions to the Director of Human Resources; therefore, the PDE-6004 form will always be available to you via Clearances Overview page on or website or by contacting tracy.bileck@aiu3.net for a copy of the form.  The new law provides that willful failure to timely report any such arrest or conviction can result in termination of your employment. 

The new law also requires that if the Director of Human Resources has a reasonable belief that an employee was arrested or convicted under a Section 111(e) offense and the employee has not notified the Director of Human Resources of such arrest or conviction, the Director of Human Resources will require the school employee to submit to a current Section 111 background check.  Under these circumstances, the background check shall be at the expense of the employing entity. 

Finally, under Section 2070.9(a) of the Professional Educator Discipline Act, the chief school administrator or Director Human Resources is required to report to the Professional Standards and Practices Commission (PSPC) all instances of employees reporting an arrest or conviction noted on PDE-6004. 

In order to be in compliance with the amendments to the School Code, please complete, sign and return the enclosed form postmarked no later than December 27, 2011.  The form should be sent to the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, 475 East Waterfront Dr. Homestead, PA 15120, attention Human Resources.  Please note that your signature on the form certifies under penalty of law that the statements you make on the form are true, correct and complete.  Any false statements shall be subject to criminal prosecution under 18 Pa.C.S Section 4904. 

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit appreciates your cooperation in complying with Act 24 by your submission of a completed Form PDE-6004 by the deadline. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at tracy.bileck@aiu3.net or by phone at 412-394-5729.

For additional  information view the Act 24 Frequently Asked Questions.