Sweden Proposes Enhanced Background Checks to Boost School Safety

The Swedish government is set to implement stricter background checks for school personnel starting July 15, 2026, aiming to bolster protections for children and pupils in preschools and schools. Led by Education and Integration Minister Simona Mohamsson, the legislative proposal expands the list of disclosable offenses in employment screenings to include approximately thirty additional crimes. These newly added offenses cover serious acts such as honor-related crimes, female genital mutilation, child abuse, invasive photography, robbery, and weapons offenses, alongside existing categories like child pornography, violence, terrorism, and youth recruitment into crime.

A notable change in the proposed law is granting schools access to police suspect registers during recruitment, allowing them to identify individuals currently under investigation for severe crimes—even if they have not yet been convicted. This shift goes beyond previous protocols that only revealed past convictions. Additionally, extracts from the misconduct registry will be required before hiring, with a shortened validity period from one year to six months to enhance currency.

Minister Mohamsson emphasized the prioritization of children’s safety over potential employment rights, stating, "As long as there are children being victimized, my job is not done." She stressed that schools must be safe environments where parents feel secure about their children’s wellbeing. Addressing concerns about wrongful suspicion, Mohamsson maintained that working in schools is not a human right and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring child protection.