Bill Caption

Relating to the reporting of criminal history record information of educators and other public school employees who engage in certain misconduct.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to State.

Local Government

The bill would clarify reporting requirements, which could lead to additional costs related to increased reporting or investigations. These costs would vary depending on whether evidence was available related to educator misconduct and the frequency of incidents involving educator misconduct.

Bill Analysis

SB 1058 would require the superintendent or director of a school district, open-enrollment charter school, regional education service center (RESC), or shared services arrangement (SSA) to report to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) criminal records of employees or applicants obtained from sources other than the criminal history clearinghouse. 

The bill would add the offense of an educator engaging in a romantic relationship or sexual conduct with a student or minor to the list of items that are required to be reported. This bill would also clarify that charter school directors are under the same reporting requirements as superintendents.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill affirms the principle of limited government. The legislation would close current loopholes in the law and require charter school directors to be held to the same standards as superintendents concerning reporting employee misconduct. For this reason, we support SB 1058.