HF 1069 Summary

• Codifies teacher code of ethics in statute (Section 122A.051) with standards including nondiscrimination, student safety, confidentiality, professional conduct, and prohibition on sexual contact with students.

• Requires background checks on licensed teachers renewing licenses who have not had a check within the preceding five years, effective July 1, 2021.

• Expands mandatory reporting requirements for school boards and licensing boards to report teacher misconduct involving sexual conduct with minors to law enforcement authorities within specified timeframes.

• Adds "intentional patting, touching, pinching, or other physical contact with a student that is sexually motivated" as grounds for license revocation without a hearing.

• Requires criminal background checks on school volunteers and independent contractors who have unsupervised or regular contact with students, and establishes five-year recurring background checks for all school employees.