MO HB1786

School districts must adopt written policies by July 1, 2012, and charter schools by July 1, 2014, detailing what information they provide to potential employers about former employees and who is authorized to respond to such inquiries.

Schools must immediately suspend any employee about whom the children's division substantiates allegations of sexual abuse, with reinstatement possible only if a court reverses the finding on appeal.

Schools that fail to disclose substantiated sexual abuse allegations when providing references for former employees face direct liability for damages to students harmed by that employee at subsequent schools, plus third-party liability for legal costs incurred by the subsequent employer.

Schools must disclose the results of investigations involving substantiated sexual abuse allegations when another public school requests a reference for a former employee.

School employees reporting alleged sexual abuse by colleagues in good faith are protected from discharge or discrimination for making such reports.