SB430 Summary

• Authorizes immediate cancellation of employment contracts for teachers on continuing service status convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude or any criminal sex offense involving a child.

• Specifies 18 categories of offenses triggering automatic contract cancellation eligibility, including rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, child pornography, child endangerment crimes, and equivalent crimes committed in other jurisdictions.

• Requires local board of education to hold a precancellation hearing within 20-30 days of notice, allowing teachers to respond to charges and present evidence before the board votes on cancellation.

• Protects teacher testimony and hearing transcripts from use in related criminal proceedings unless the teacher chooses a public hearing, expressly waives testimony rights, or voluntarily introduces the transcript as evidence in criminal court.

• Establishes appeal process through hearing officers selected by Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, with final appeals to Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on grounds of arbitrary and capricious decisions.