SB 160 amends existing law and expands the current fingerprinting requirements. SB 160 was signed on September 17, 2025, and contained an urgency clause, which means it became effective upon the Governor’s signature.
SB 160 mandates that various boards and agencies submit fingerprints of applicants seeking licensure for roles such as physicians, psychologists, midwives, behavioral sciences professionals, repossession agents, private investigators, and household movers to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal history checks.
As it relates to public education, SB 160 adds additional sections to the Education Code. The bill adds the following new requirements:
(1) Permits the California Department of Education (Department) to require employees, prospective employees, volunteers, contractors, subcontractors, and subcontractors for the California School of the Deaf, California School of the Blind, or diagnostic centers to undergo a fingerprinting-based state and national criminal history background check. If the Department requires fingerprinting, it is required to electronically submit the fingerprint images and related information to the DOJ.
(2) Permits the California State University to require employees, prospective employees, volunteers, contractors, and subcontractors to undergo a fingerprinting-based state and national criminal history background check. If the Department requires fingerprinting, it is required to electronically submit the fingerprint images and related information to the DOJ.
(3) Permits the University of California to require background checks during the final stages of the recruitment process for a prospective staff employee, contractor, or volunteer. The background checks must be performed by the DOJ, and the DOJ is required to provide a state and federal response for any individual it runs background checks. However, the background checks shall comply with the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
(SB 160 adds Sections 33113.5, 59009, 59105, 59206, 66611, and 92612.3 to the Education Code, amends Sections 2064.5, 2082, 2111, 2112, 2113, 2125, 2168.2, 3575, and 19239 of, and adds Sections 2042, 2513.5, 2953.1, 2960.01, 2960.02, 2999.106, 4982.01, 4989.55, 4992.31, 4999.92, 7503.05, and 7525.3 to, the Business and Professions Code, repeals and adds Section 1030 of the Government Code, adds Section 733.5 to the Harbors and Navigation Code, adds Sections 53.5 and 90.1 to the Military and Veterans Code, and amends Section 11105 of, and adds Sections 11105.001, 11105.002, 11105.05, 11105.2, 11107.6, and 26330 to, the Penal Code.)