A bill in the Pennsylvania General Assembly calling for all colleges and universities to implement faculty background checks for new hires continues to gain support, said State Rep. Matt Baker, R-Bradford and Tioga.

"I have not received one citizen complaint," he said. "Many expressed shock, dismay and concern that a policy hasn't been put in place already."

Originally, House Bill 2331, the College and University Criminal History Record Act, called for all applicants to obtain state police and FBI clearance. However, amendments to the legislation now only require a new hire to acquire these checks. Baker said he is closely working with Penn State administrators to amend the bill.

Richard Di Eugenio, university director of governmental relations, said Baker is "moving in the direction to what we'd like to see."

"We're suggesting that universities have flexibility," he said. "He ... is looking into a way to provide flexibility with intelligence. One size doesn't always fit all."

In the beginning of the semester, Penn State adopted a new policy to use HireRight Inc. of Irvine, Calif. to perform the checks, which cost an average of $39 each. The check confirms an applicant's self-disclosure form by scanning county, state and federal court documents.

Mary Young, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania vice president for government relations, said organization members have "divided opinions."

"Background checks are an emerging requirement, but higher education is different than most marketplaces," she said. "Our presidents want a safe environment ... but we should make sure this investment is worth doing."

She said her organization still has questions and concerns with the bill and hasn't taken an official stance on it.

Baker said he would be willing "to meet with both private and public schools to fashion a reasonable background check policy."

At Tuesday's University Faculty Senate meeting, Robert Secor, vice provost for academic affairs, said there is "no way the legislature isn't going to pass [Bill 2331]" and stressed the importance of Penn State having its own policy.

Secor said administrators were working on a background check policy when Penn State discovered that Paul Eric Krueger, assistant professor of education, was convicted of murdering three fishermen near Corpus Christi, Texas in 1966. Although he received three life sentences, Krueger was awarded parole in 1979. He earned four degrees and was hired by Penn State in 1999. He resigned in August.

Eugenio said Baker is continuing to work with colleges and universities across the state to draft a final version.