MN SF3953

Codifies a teacher code of ethics in statute establishing professional conduct standards including nondiscriminatory services, student safety protection, confidentiality, and prohibition on sexual contact with students.

Requires background checks on licensed teachers applying for license renewal if no check was conducted within the preceding five years.

Expands mandatory reporting requirements by requiring school boards to report teacher discharge or resignation involving specified charges to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board within ten days.

Expands grounds for automatic teacher license revocation to include stays of adjudication (in addition to convictions) for numerous offenses including child abuse, sex trafficking, sexual abuse, stalking, and offenses requiring registration as a predatory offender.

Adds new criminal sexual conduct offense of sexual penetration with a student enrolled at a school where the teacher works or volunteers as automatic grounds for license denial, revocation, or non-renewal.