HB4690 Summary

• Requires teachers and principals charged with corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct to proceed with hearing officer selection and hearings without pause, with all timelines reset to begin the day after the effective date of this act.

• Prohibits teachers or principals charged with corporal punishment, physical abuse, grooming, or sexual misconduct on or after the effective date from pausing pre-hearing procedures or hearings, regardless of public health emergencies.

• Allows hearings convened during public health emergencies to be conducted remotely, and permits hearing officers to voluntarily withdraw from such proceedings.

• Amends dismissal procedures in Sections 24-12 and 34-85 of the School Code to clarify timelines and protections for dismissal cases involving abuse or misconduct allegations.