SRA Screening Insights – June Edition

Message from the Editors:

Welcome to the June edition of the SRA Screening Insights newsletter.

Klasey Wojcik
kwojcik@srascreening.com
Direct: (754) 201-2693

Zulay Moreno
zmoreno@srascreening.com
Direct: (561) 569-8027

Did You Know?

At SRA Screening, we offer a seamless, fully paperless I-9 solution that integrates directly with your onboarding workflow—making employment eligibility verification faster, easier, and 100% compliant with federal regulations.

Inside This Edition:

• • Kansas Enacts New Background Check Law Following Hiring Oversight – Kansas has enacted House Bill 2342 to close loopholes in its hiring process, ensuring more rigorous background checks for state employees. The move follows the discovery that a high-level official was hired despite a history of felony convictions that went undetected.

• • The Rise of AI Resumes: Why Background Checks Matter More Than Ever – AI-generated resumes are making it easier for candidates to embellish their qualifications, prompting a renewed focus on thorough background checks. Employers must adapt their hiring practices to ensure credibility and protect organizational integrity.

• • USCIS Releases New Form I-9 – The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made slight updates to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to align more closely with statutory language. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Privacy Notice has been revised to reflect the latest regulatory standards.

• • Colorado Woman Accused of Using Fake Psychology Degree Pleads Guilty to Several Charges –A Colorado child custody evaluator, pleaded guilty to using fake credentials to obtain her psychologist and addiction counselor licenses. Her deception—revealed by an anonymous parent—enabled her to secure roles within multiple state agencies. The incident underscores the vital role of background checks and the essential need for diligent credential verification.
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  • Connecticut Incident Highlights Importance of Background Checks for Coaches-A volunteer basketball coach in Windham, Connecticut, was arrested following an altercation in which he allegedly struck a parent with his vehicle. Subsequent findings revealed he had a felony record and had not completed the mandatory background check, prompting concerns about compliance with state screening requirements for youth sports coaches.

Kansas Enacts New Background Check Law Following Hiring Oversight

Following a major lapse in hiring protocols, Kansas has introduced a new law to tighten background checks for state employees. House Bill 2342 was passed after it came to light that a former Kansas Department of Commerce official had been hired without undergoing a criminal background check. It was later discovered, that the previous employee had felony convictions for theft and forgery in Pennsylvania—offenses that went undetected due to gaps in the state’s screening process.

The Rise of AI Resumes: Why Background Checks Matter More Than Ever

As AI-generated resumes become increasingly prevalent, employers are encountering a rise in applications with exaggerated or misleading credentials. With AI making it easier for candidates to misrepresent their qualifications, the need for thorough and reliable background checks has never been greater. Experts warn that traditional screening methods are no longer adequate, urging organizations to implement more rigorous, role-specific vetting processes to ensure candidate authenticity and safeguard the integrity of their hiring practices.

USCIS Releases New Form I-9

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a revised Form I-9 to align with current statutory requirements. Notable revisions include:

• Renaming the fourth checkbox in Section 1 to “An alien authorized to work”.
• Updating the descriptions of two List B documents in the Lists of Acceptable Documents.
• Incorporating revised statutory language along with an updated DHS Privacy Notice in the instructions.
• A new checkbox enables qualified E-Verify employers to indicate remote document examination, supporting the growing trend of virtual employment practices.

While these changes aim to simplify compliance, employers should update their training and audit procedures to mitigate potential errors and ensure adherence to the new requirements.

Colorado Woman Accused of Using Fake Psychology Degree Pleads Guilty to Several Charges

A recent case in Colorado involving a woman who fabricated a PhD in psychology to obtain state licensure serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by insufficient background verification. By fabricating her academic credentials, the previous employee was able to secure government employment, influence child custody rulings, and work in high-stakes roles involving vulnerable populations—all without legitimate qualifications.

This incident highlights the serious risks posed when educational and professional credentials go unverified. Employers, licensing agencies, and regulatory bodies must rigorously validate all credentials directly with issuing institutions, particularly when dealing with foreign or online degrees, which may be more susceptible to fraud.

Overlooking background checks doesn’t just represent a procedural failure—it opens the door to systemic deception and undermines public trust. Robust, proactive verification processes are not just due diligence—they are essential safeguards for institutional integrity and public protection.

Connecticut Incident Highlights Importance of Background Checks for Coaches

In January 2025, a volunteer girls’ basketball coach in Windham was arrested after allegedly striking a parent with his vehicle following a postgame altercation. An investigation later revealed that the coach had a felony record and had bypassed the mandatory background check required by state law for youth sports volunteers. According to Windham’s interim town manager, the coach had been provided with the necessary application and background check request but failed to submit them. Town officials acknowledged the oversight, citing a lapse during a particularly busy period, and have committed to strengthening their vetting procedures moving forward. The situation highlights the essential role of compliance with organizational policies and state laws in protecting student safety and well-being.

Stay informed, stay compliant, and streamline your hiring process with SRA Screening.