2023-05-032022/23:UbU7 · p.7UbUEducation
Register Check
Background checks for staff in schools and preschools
What's at stake: The outcome affects how well children and students are protected from individuals with a criminal background in schools, preschools and school transport, and how much administrative burden the checks place on providers.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether requirements for background checks should be tightened and expanded – including annual checks and checks of drivers used for school transport and preschool – or whether the current rules on presenting a criminal record extract are sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee refers to the fact that the rules on background checks were changed on 1 July 2021, when a requirement was introduced to present a criminal record extract rather than submit it, and against that background considers that the motions calling for tightened and expanded checks should be rejected.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 8 (SD)
The earlier rules requiring submission of a criminal record extract – rather than merely presenting it – should be reinstated, since the human factor otherwise opens the door to fraud and subjective judgment on a matter that is critical to students' safety. Background checks should also be extended to cover drivers used for school transport and in preschool activities, and a new record extract should be required every year, to reduce the risk that someone previously convicted of, for example, a sexual offense comes into contact with children.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 8 by SD.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 20/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 94/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | Yes | Yes 13/0/1/4 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/21/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 13/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/63/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Broke with the party line
| MPCamilla Hansén (MP, Örebro län) | Abstain — party line: Yes |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2022/23:864 by Ulrika Liljeberg et al. (C) demands 17 and 18, 2022/23:884 by Muharrem Demirok et al. (C) demand 9, 2022/23:911 by Patrick Reslow et al. (SD) demand 3 and 2022/23:1023 by Patrick Reslow et al. (SD) demands 15 and 16.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2022/23:864 av Ulrika Liljeberg m.fl. (C) yrkandena 17 och 18, 2022/23:884 av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C) yrkande 9, 2022/23:911 av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD) yrkande 3 och 2022/23:1023 av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD) yrkandena 15 och 16.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said no to 80 proposals in motions from the general motion period 2022. Among other things, with reference to applicable provisions, ongoing work and announced and taken measures. The motions concern, for example, the teaching profession, further education, principals, basic special education and upper secondary special education, students with special needs, students with school absenteeism, teaching for newly arrived immigrants and student health.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to create incentives for university and college teachers to teach at secondary schools. (SD) — Reservation 8
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan states that the child's best interest shall come first and demands strong measures against sexual abuse of children and a legal system where those who commit crimes are convicted.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that the child's best interest shall come first and demands strong measures against sexual abuse of children and a legal system where those who commit crimes are convicted. Stricter background checks for those who work close to children aligns with these commitments. The plan's demand that growing registration and surveillance be countered simultaneously sets limits on how far the checks can be driven, which makes the conclusion uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att barnens bästa ska komma i första rummet och kräver krafttag mot sexuella kränkningar mot barn samt ett rättssystem där de som begår brott döms. Skärpt registerkontroll för dem som arbetar nära barn ligger i linje med dessa åtaganden. Planens krav på att växande registrering och övervakning ska motverkas sätter samtidigt gränser för hur långt kontrollen kan drivas, varför slutsatsen är osäker.
- children's best interest firstdecisive»Vänsterpartiets politik ska utformas så att barnens bästa kommer i första rummet.« (party programme ↗)“The Left Party's policy shall be designed so that the child's best interest comes first.”
- strong measures against sexual abuse»I ett tryggt samhälle tar vi krafttag mot våld, hedersförtryck och sexuella kränkningar mot kvinnor, barn och hbtqi-personer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In a safe society we take strong measures against violence, honour oppression and sexual abuse of women, children and LGBTQ people.”
- functioning legal system»Det är viktigt att rättssystemet fungerar, att kvinnors erfarenheter tas på allvar och att de som begår brott döms.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is important that the legal system works, that women's experiences are taken seriously and that those who commit crimes are convicted.”
- integrity as limitweak support»Alla människor har rätt till en bred privat sfär« (party programme ↗)“All people have the right to a broad private sphere”
flags: citat_svagt
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan demands action against sexual crime and states that all children have the right to a safe upbringing in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands action against sexual crime and states that all children have the right to a safe upbringing in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It also wants to remove confidentiality barriers between public agencies so that information actually reaches those who should protect children. Enhanced and expanded criminal record checks, including school transport and preschool, are a means in the same direction. The design of criminal record checks is not explicitly addressed in the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver krafttag mot sexualbrott och slår fast att alla barn har rätt till en trygg uppväxt enligt barnkonventionen. Den vill dessutom riva sekretesshinder mellan myndigheter så att information faktiskt kommer fram där barn ska skyddas. En skärpt och utvidgad registerkontroll, inklusive skolskjuts och förskola, är ett medel i samma riktning. Registerkontrollens utformning behandlas inte uttryckligen i planen.
- action against sexual crimedecisive»Krafttag för att stoppa hedersrelaterat våld, sexualbrott och mäns våld mot kvinnor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Action to stop honour-related violence, sexual crime and violence against women.”
- children's right to safety»Alla barn ska ha rätt till en trygg uppväxt i enlighet med FN:s barnkonvention.« (party programme ↗)“All children shall have the right to a safe upbringing in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
- information should reach those who need it»Sekretesshinder mellan myndigheter ska rivas så att polisen och andra yrkesgrupper kan göra sitt jobb.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Confidentiality barriers between public agencies shall be removed so that police and other professionals can do their job.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address register checks in schools, but it opposes laws with disproportionate intrusions on privacy and opposes undue registration of individuals.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address register checks in schools, but it opposes laws with disproportionate intrusions on privacy and opposes undue registration of individuals. An annual, expanded register check of ever more professional groups is such an expanded intrusion without the plan providing support for it. At the same time, the plan wishes to strengthen the child's legal protection against suspicions of abuse, which makes the weighing uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte registerkontroll i skolan, men den motsätter sig lagar med oproportionerliga integritetsingrepp och vänder sig mot otillbörlig registrering av enskilda. En årlig, utvidgad registerkontroll av allt fler yrkesgrupper är ett sådant utvidgat ingrepp utan att planen ger stöd för det. Planen vill samtidigt stärka barnets rättstrygghet vid misstankar om övergrepp, vilket gör avvägningen osäker.
- proportionality in privacy intrusionsdecisive»alla lagar som innebär oproportionerliga ingrepp i« (party programme ↗)“all laws that entail disproportionate intrusions into”
- no undue registration»otillbörlig registrering eller övervakning baserad på« (party programme ↗)“undue registration or surveillance based on”
- safeguard privacy»Vi vill värna människors rätt till integritet och« (party programme ↗)“We wish to safeguard people's right to privacy and”
- conflicting commitment on child protection»Barnets rättstrygghet måste stärkas om det« (party programme ↗)“The child's legal protection must be strengthened if there”
flags: motstridiga_atagande
The plan requires that school shall be a safe place and promises action against violence against children, with unconditional protection against violence and humiliation as a core principle.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that school shall be a safe place and promises action against violence against children, with unconditional protection against violence and humiliation as a core principle. A stricter and broader criminal record check of those who work near children follows from that protection interest. The plan's requirement for an integrity review of legislation however makes the scope of annual checks a balance.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att skolan ska vara en trygg plats och lovar krafttag mot våld mot barn, med ett villkorslöst skydd mot våld och förnedring som bärande princip. En striktare och bredare registerkontroll av dem som arbetar nära barn följer av det skyddsintresset. Planens krav på integritetsprövning av lagstiftning gör dock omfattningen av årliga kontroller till en avvägning.
- safe school environmentdecisive»Skolan ska vara en trygg plats« (2022 manifesto ↗)“School shall be a safe place”
- action against violence against children»Sverige behöver fler poliser, hårdare straff och bättre förebyggande insatser — med krafttag mot såväl gängbrottslighet, våld mot barn och mäns våld mot kvinnor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden needs more police, stricter penalties and better preventive measures — with action against gang crime, violence against children and men's violence against women.”
- children's unconditional protection»villkorslöst skydd mot våld och förnedring inom och utom hemmet« (party programme ↗)“unconditional protection against violence and humiliation inside and outside the home”
- integrity reviewweak support»All lagstiftning bör prövas mot dess påverkan på människors personliga integritet.« (party programme ↗)“All legislation should be tested against its impact on people's personal integrity.”
flags: citat_svagt
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that the public actively prevents violence and abuse against children, that early and preventive efforts are crucial and that all pupils shall feel safe in school.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the public actively prevents violence and abuse against children, that early and preventive efforts are crucial and that all pupils shall feel safe in school. A stricter and expanded register check of those who work near children serves that protection. The plan at the same time requires that registration is not used beyond its original purposes, which sets a limit to how far the check should go.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att det offentliga aktivt förebygger våld och övergrepp mot barn, att tidiga och förebyggande insatser är avgörande och att alla elever ska känna sig trygga i skolan. En skärpt och utvidgad registerkontroll av dem som arbetar nära barn tjänar det skyddet. Planen kräver samtidigt att registrering inte används utöver sina ursprungliga motiv, vilket sätter en gräns för hur långt kontrollen bör gå.
- prevent abuse against childrendecisive»Det offentliga ska också aktivt förebygga våld och övergrepp mot barn« (party programme ↗)“The public shall also actively prevent violence and abuse against children”
- early preventive efforts»Tidiga och förebyggande insatser är avgörande.« (party programme ↗)“Early and preventive efforts are crucial.”
- safety in school»Flickor och pojkar ska alltid känna sig trygga i skolan och aldrig begränsas av sitt kön.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Girls and boys shall always feel safe in school and never be limited by their gender.”
- limited use of registers»Övervakning och registrering ska inte användas för andra syften än vad som var de ursprungliga motiven« (party programme ↗)“Surveillance and registration shall not be used for purposes other than what were the original motives”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires significantly increased penalties for sexual offences and that the best interests of the child come first, and the school environment should be permeated by safety.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires significantly increased penalties for sexual offences and that the best interests of the child come first, and the school environment should be permeated by safety. A strict and expanded criminal records check, including of school bus drivers and within preschool, is a direct means of keeping previously convicted persons away from children. The plan's requirement for careful handling of personal data sets boundaries for how the check is designed.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver kraftigt skärpta straff för sexualbrott och att barnets bästa kommer i främsta rummet, och skolans miljö ska genomsyras av trygghet. En strikt och utvidgad registerkontroll, även av skolskjutschaufförer och inom förskolan, är ett direkt medel för att hålla tidigare dömda borta från barn. Planens krav på försiktighet med personuppgifter sätter ramar för hur kontrollen utformas.
- tough action on sexual offencesdecisive»Skärp straffen för sexualbrott kraftigt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase penalties for sexual offences significantly.”
- the child's best interests first»barnets bästa ska komma i främsta rummet« (party programme ↗)“the best interests of the child shall come first”
- safety at school»Det är viktigt att skolans arbetsmiljö genomsyras av« (party programme ↗)“It is important that the school's working environment is permeated by”
- integrity in personal data»försiktighet och respekt för den personliga integriteten« (party programme ↗)“care and respect for personal integrity”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan's criminal policy core is sharpened penalties for violent and sexual crimes and special investigation groups for sexual crimes, starting from the point that freedom and security go hand in hand and that the state has a special responsibility for children's rights.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's criminal policy core is sharpened penalties for violent and sexual crimes and special investigation groups for sexual crimes, starting from the point that freedom and security go hand in hand and that the state has a special responsibility for children's rights. A reintroduced reporting obligation and expanded background checks for those working near children follow that line. The design of background checks is not explicitly addressed in the documents.
Original (Swedish)
Planens kriminalpolitiska kärna är skärpta straff för vålds- och sexualbrott och särskilda utredningsgrupper för sexualbrott, med utgångspunkten att frihet och trygghet går hand i hand och att staten har ett särskilt ansvar för barns rättigheter. En återinförd inlämningsskyldighet och utvidgad registerkontroll för dem som arbetar nära barn följer den linjen. Registerkontrollens utformning berörs inte uttryckligen i dokumenten.
- tougher line on sexual crimesdecisive»Skärpa straffen för vålds- och sexualbrott« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sharpen penalties for violent and sexual crimes”
- prioritized sexual crimes»Inrätta särskilda utredningsgrupper för sexualbrott och våld i nära relation samt en särskild klanbrottsenhet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Establish special investigation groups for sexual crimes and violence in close relationships and a special gang crime unit”
- security as a condition for freedom»Frihet och trygghet går hand i hand.« (party programme ↗)“Freedom and security go hand in hand.”
- protection for children»att säkerställa rättigheterna för barn och andra som inte kan« (party programme ↗)“to ensure the rights of children and others who cannot”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that school be a safe place for students, zero tolerance against crime and tough action against criminality affecting young people, with significantly increased penalties for sexual crimes.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that school be a safe place for students, zero tolerance against crime and tough action against criminality affecting young people, with significantly increased penalties for sexual crimes. A reinstated requirement to submit criminal records, annual checks and expansion to school bus drivers and preschool reduces the risk that convicted persons get contact with children. The counter-proposal's requirement thus aligns with the plan's safety commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att skolan är en trygg plats för elever, nolltolerans mot brott och krafttag mot den brottslighet som drabbar unga, med kraftigt skärpta straff för sexualbrott. En återinförd inlämning av registerutdrag, årlig kontroll och utvidgning till skolskjutschaufförer och förskolan minskar risken att dömda får kontakt med barn. Motförslagets krav ligger därför i linje med planens trygghetsåtaganden.
- safe schooldecisive»Skolan ska göras till en trygg plats för elever och personal, som skapar normer för sammanhållning mellan människor och som fokuserar på kunskap och bildning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“School shall be made a safe place for students and staff, that creates norms for cohesion between people and that focuses on knowledge and education.”
- protect children against crime»Krafttag mot den brottslighet som drabbar unga« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Tough action against criminality affecting young people”
- harder stance on sexual crimes»Kraftigt skärpa straffen för sexualbrott och utvisa utländska våldtäktsmän på livstid« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Significantly increase penalties for sexual crimes and expel foreign rapists for life”
- zero tolerance against crime»Införa nolltolerans mot brott så att även mindre allvarliga brott utreds och lagförs« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce zero tolerance against crime so that even minor crimes are investigated and prosecuted”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2022/23:UbU7)
- Committee report full text (HA01UbU7)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:1023 — En förskola i världsklass av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1024 — En grundskola i världsklass av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1025 — En gymnasieskola och vuxenutbildning i världsklass av Patrick Reslow m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:1255 — Idéburna skolor och pedagogisk mångfald av Camilla Hansén och Amanda Lind (båda MP)
- Motion 2022/23:1406 — Reformer för ökad tillväxt i Stockholmsregionen av Josefin Malmqvist m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2022/23:1467 — Sex- och samtyckeslyft för lärare av Annika Hirvonen och Camilla Hansén (båda MP)
- Motion 2022/23:1499 — Barns och ungas psykiska hälsa av Lili André och Cecilia Engström (båda KD)
- Motion 2022/23:1601 — En skola där ingen lämnas efter av Christian Carlsson (KD)
- Motion 2022/23:1673 — Jämställdhet för hållbar utveckling av Annie Lööf m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:1735 — Skyddad yrkestitel för legitimerad skolkurator av Gudrun Brunegård (KD)
- Motion 2022/23:1736 — Ordning och trygghet i skolan av Christian Carlsson (KD)
- Motion 2022/23:1839 — God pedagogisk kompetens om adhd, dyslexi och andra neuropsykiatriska diagnoser av Maria Stockhaus och Adam Reuterskiöld (båda M)
- Motion 2022/23:1880 — Integration av Jonny Cato m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:2008 — Nationell strategi för särskilt begåvade elever av Johanna Rantsi (M)
- Motion 2022/23:2014 — Kunskapslyft för barns rättigheter av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2044 — Vuxnas våld mot barn av Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2061 — Utgiftsområde 9 Hälsovård, sjukvård och social omsorg av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2022/23:2096 — Åtgärder för att främja barns och ungas rörelse av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2022/23:2100 — Gratis mensskydd i skolan och sänkt moms på mensskydd av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2022/23:2128 — En jämlik kunskapsskola utan vinstjakt av Åsa Westlund m.fl. (S)
Source: The Swedish Parliament