Lawmakers likely won't require people hoping to become certified school sports officials to undergo criminal background checks, at least for now.

A committee decided not to vote on HB99, which would have required the background checks, after an official from the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) expressed concerns. Bart Thompson, UHSAA assistant director, said the association doesn't oppose background checks for sports officials, but worries the bill would decrease the number of people willing to officiate because it would require them to pay for the checks.

Rep. Brad Dee, R-Ogden, wondered if the bill was "a solution trying to find a problem."

Sponsor Laura Black, D-Sandy, said no major problem prompted her to run the bill. She said her intent was to be proactive in protecting children. Black said she does not plan to bring the bill back this session and hopes only that "the high school activities association does then take to heart the concerns ... they might need to do internally to make sure our students are protected."

A separate bill, HB81, which would require school employees and some school volunteers to undergo background checks at their own expense, recently passed the House.