House Bill 259 Summary

• Allows school district boards to delegate authority to the superintendent or designee to grant employee requests for voluntary leave of absence, with board ratification or nullification at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

• Authorizes boards to delegate authority to place employees on involuntary leave of absence, requiring ratification or nullification at the next board meeting or within 21 days if no regular meeting is scheduled.

• Establishes that involuntary leave of absence is without pay when a criminal court order prevents the employee from being present with minors, students, other employees, or when the employee is detained; otherwise leave is with pay.

• Requires the district to maintain withheld salary in an account and return funds (minus substitute costs) plus PERSI credits if the employee is acquitted, charges are dismissed, or the court order is removed and the employee returns to work.

• Limits investigations conducted during involuntary leave to 60 working days unless related criminal investigations or charges are pending; after 60 days, the district must either return the employee or advance a personnel recommendation to the board.