ID H0564

Professional Standards Commission may conduct investigations on signed allegations of unethical conduct brought by individuals with substantial interest in the matter or local boards of trustees, with the chief certification officer, attorney general, and investigator reviewing allegations within 14 days to determine whether to remand locally or forward for investigation.

Teachers must be notified within 14 days of a decision to forward an investigation case and afforded opportunity to respond verbally and in writing before complaint issuance; executive committee shall review forwarded cases at next regularly scheduled meetings to determine if probable cause exists.

Before hiring applicants, school districts must request signed statements authorizing release of all job performance information and documents from current and past employers, including out-of-state employers, with former employers required to respond within 20 business days.

School districts may employ applicants on a noncontracted provisional basis pending review of prior employer materials; a standard contract must automatically issue within 30 days unless the board articulates specific documented reasons in writing not to issue one.

Beginning September 1, 2012, the state board of education shall adopt rules defining job performance standards, verbal abuse, physical abuse, sexual misconduct, and unethical conduct, requiring school districts to make documented determinations that misconduct occurred and resulted in the employee leaving.