HB 6326 Summary

• Requires school district job applicants to submit to checks of the Department of Children and Families child abuse and neglect registry before hiring, effective July 1, 2011.

• Mandates all school employees complete training on child abuse and neglect reporting requirements, with refresher training every three years, and requires school districts to maintain a written mandated reporting policy.

• Requires superintendent to suspend with pay any school employee when the Commissioner of Children and Families finds reasonable cause to believe the employee abused or neglected a child or should be placed on the abuse and neglect registry.

• Expands mandated reporter definition to include all school employees and requires written reports to the Commissioner of Education when a certified school employee is investigated for child abuse or neglect.

• Establishes procedures for investigation of delayed reporting by mandated reporters and requires annual quality assurance reviews by the Department of Children and Families of investigations involving school employees.