TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A new law requiring school volunteers to pass a background check is now in effect in Florida.

Senate Bill 676 was passed during the 2023 legislative session, and officially took effect on March 1.

It requires all volunteers to pass a Level 2 background check. This would apply to all new and existing volunteers.

The background checks costs $97. The Level 1 checks are $25.

How the process works:  

• Volunteers must first complete a Level 1 process
• The school requests a Level 2 fingerprinting request
• The volunteer is fingerprinted
• The results are sent to the school
• The volunteer's profile is updated to Level 2
• The volunteer receives a Level 2 photo ID badge
• The Level 2 screening is valid for five years

In January, the Polk County school district temporarily stopped accepting volunteer applications so they could figure out how the new law would impact the district financially.

But the bill included $4.4 million in appropriations. District officials say it's not clear whether that money can help some individuals pay for the increased costs.

Polk Schools officials said it plans to accept volunteer applications again with the new deadline passed.

“We understand this is a considerable expense and could be an obstacle preventing some people from serving as volunteers,” the Polk district said in the announcement. “The Polk County School Board is exploring whether any funding exists to help defray this background screening cost, or if community partners are willing to step forward to help cover a portion of this expense. However, at this time, no decision has been made regarding a possible funding source.”