HF 3386 Summary

• Establishes an Office of the Ombudsman for School Safety within the Department of Education as an independent entity that does not provide educational services.

• Ombudsman must evaluate acts, practices, policies, and procedures affecting health or safety of school district employees and students; mediate disputes; monitor laws and policies; and provide training on school safety issues.

• Regional ombudsmen and certified volunteers must complete orientation training covering investigation, dispute resolution, confidentiality, data privacy, and student discipline laws; annual continuing education required.

• Ombudsman and designees may enter schools without notice, interview employees, inspect personnel data, and access student educational data with parental consent; denying access is a misdemeanor.

• Prohibits discrimination or retaliation against ombudsman, office staff, or complainants, with a rebuttable presumption that adverse employment actions within 90 days of reporting are retaliatory.