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SB 1 – This act modifies provisions relating to communications between school district employees and students. Current law requires each school district to promulgate a written policy on teacher-student and employee-student communication by January 1, 2012, which would include restrictions on teachers' use of work-related internet sites and nonwork-related internet sites, as described in the act. This act states that the primary purpose of the policy will be to promote appropriate communications between school district employees and students. This act modifies the components that must be included in each school district's policy. It repeals the existing components and requirements and instead requires each policy to address the following: proper communication, including appropriate use of electronic media and the internet for both instructional and personal purposes, as described in the act; limitations on private communications between staff members and students; and specific mechanisms to prevent improper communications between staff members and students. Each school district's policy may include reasonable exceptions, including but not limited to providing for private communications between family members or relatives, in connection with civic, religious, business or other organizations in which the student and staff member are involved, or when a staff member has received prior approval from an administrator and parent or guardian. This act repeals the prohibition on a teacher establishing, maintaining, or using a work-related internet site unless it is available to school administrators and the child's legal custodian, physical custodian or legal guardian. This act also repeals the prohibition on a teacher establishing, maintaining, or using a nonwork-related internet site which allows exclusive access with a current or former student. This act also repeals the definitions of: exclusive access, former student, work-related internet site, and nonwork-related internet site. The term "student," as used in this act means any person enrolled in the school district where the staff member is employed or participating in any district activities under eighteen years of age who has not graduated. MICHAEL RUFF
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