HB133 Summary

• Requires the State Department of Education and Department of Finance to establish an educator professional liability insurance program for certificated personnel employed by local boards of education and student teachers.

• Provides automatic coverage at no cost to all full-time certificated personnel and student teachers, with optional cost-based coverage available to part-time certified employees.

• Insurance coverage protects against damages arising from the performance of duties and must be selected through a competitive bidding process.

• Program must be jointly administered by both departments, funded through the annual Education Trust Fund Appropriations Act, with implementation effective no later than July 1, 2011.

• Establishes "The Teacher Protection Act of 2010" with the legislative intent that all teachers be protected from liability for monetary damages and defense costs from claims arising from their professional activities.