HB5241 Summary

• Requires State Superintendent of Education to schedule a conference with nonpublic school administrators to discuss compliance issues before changing the school's recognition status.

• Nonpublic schools must submit a corrective action plan within 60 days of the conference that specifies steps to address noncompliance, demonstrates available resources, and provides a reasonable timeline for correction.

• Recognition status is automatically removed if a school fails to submit an approvable corrective action plan within 60 days, with the school having the right to appeal within 14 days.

• Requires nonpublic schools seeking recognition status to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history background checks and sex offender database checks for all employees hired after July 1, 2007, and prohibits employment of individuals with disqualifying convictions.

• Prohibits recognized nonpublic schools from banning hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including braids, locks, and twists.