H.B. 2043 Summary

• Creates a statewide "harm to students registry" administered by the Department of Education containing information on school employees, contractors, and volunteers found through investigation to have inflicted harm on students.

• Registry entries require a final finding from an institutional investigation meeting due process standards including independent investigator, opportunity for both parties to provide information, and findings based on preponderance of evidence.

• All public schools, charter schools, private schools, and early learning programs must consult the registry before hiring employees or authorizing volunteers in roles involving student contact, and must prohibit employment or volunteer service for individuals listed on the registry.

• Institutions must report final findings to the registry and share information about ongoing investigations when requested; provides qualified immunity for good faith disclosures about employee performance unless information is knowingly false or misleading.

• Appropriates unspecified general fund revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish permanent positions within the Department of Education to manage the registry; effective July 1, 3000.