HB3479 Summary

• Requires checks of the Statewide Sex Offender Database and Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database to be conducted once every 5 years for all school employees, rather than only at initial hire.

• Prohibits school boards from knowingly employing persons who have received an indicated finding of abuse or neglect of a child from the Department of Children and Family Services or another jurisdiction's child welfare agency.

• Requires the State Board of Education to conduct random audits of Professional Educator Licensees to verify completion of required professional development hours.

• Provides that the State Superintendent of Education shall immediately suspend licenses or deny applications for persons charged with attempting, conspiring to solicit, or committing sex offenses, first degree murder, or Class X felonies until criminal charges are adjudicated in court.

• Changes terminology throughout from "certified and noncertified" to "licensed and nonlicensed" and from "State Teacher Certification Board" to "State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board."