HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House members voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to exempt more people from a state law that requires background checks for those who work with children.

The 180-9 vote sent the Senate the proposal to limit the checks for volunteers and employees at schools, child care facilities and similar places to those who have direct and routine interaction with children.

The more vigorous checks were enacted last year as part of the Legislature’s response to the case against former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky and scandals involving church clergy. Some lawmakers hoped the Senate will remove a provision that exempts school or university workers who do not interact with students who are less than 16 years old.

Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, said that would create “a safe haven on our college campuses and universities for people because they’re not going to have those background checks.”