All prospective school employees must be fingerprinted and undergo federal criminal background checks under a new requirement from the state Legislature.

The requirement, which went into effect last week, does not affect current employees, unless they lived outside of the state for at least two years immediately before being hired.

Local school officials said they are prepared to handle the new background checks, which will give administrators a more complete idea of a person’s past.

The state criminal history record and child abuse history clearances that applicants must have will still be required, state Department of Education spokeswoman Nicole Rob said.