SECTION 1. Section 38R of Chapter 71 of the general laws as amended by Chapter 77 of the Acts of 2013, is hereby further amended adding the following new paragraph:-

Notwithstanding this section, employees of a public school district shall not be charged a fee related to this section; provided further, that the Commonwealth shall assume all financial obligations required for the operation and administration of said fingerprint-based criminal background check related to the employees of public school districts.

SECTION 2. Employees of a public school district who have paid a fee pursuant to Section 38R of Chapter 71 prior to the effective date of this act, shall have the cost of said fee credited toward future fees related to educator licenses authorized by Chapter 71 and Chapter 74 of the general laws; provided further, that the Commonwealth is hereby authorized and directed to reimburse employees and retired employees of a public school district, who are or were not employed in positions requiring state licensure or who have left employment covered by this section and are not subject to educator license renewal, for the cost of said fee paid prior to the effective date of this act.