SB0456 Summary

• Requires school districts to conduct criminal history checks and Statewide Sex Offender Database checks every 5 years for all employees, not just at initial hiring.

• Creates new Section 22-85 establishing protocols for sexual abuse investigations at schools, including coordination with Children's Advocacy Centers and restrictions on school interviews of alleged victims until forensic interviews are completed.

• Establishes the Make S.A.F.E. Task Force with 25 members to review best practices for preventing sexual and severe physical abuse in schools and report findings by September 15, 2020.

• Allows school districts to dismiss employees who willfully or negligently fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect, with specific definitions of negligent failure included in the law.

• Amends teacher dismissal hearing procedures to include protective measures for witnesses under age 18 in cases involving sexual or severe physical abuse allegations.