JEFFERSON CITY — To further address legislation passed by the General Assembly during the 2011 regular session designed to maintain a safe learning environment in school districts throughout the state, the Missouri Senate gave its first-round approval to Senate Bill 1, a measure sponsored by Sen. Jane Cunningham, R-Cunningham. Her legislation makes changes to a new provision in state law that requires each school district to promulgate a written policy on teacher-student and employee-student communication by Jan. 1, 2012. The specific section in the bill places restrictions on teachers’ use of work- and nonwork-related Internet sites, including Facebook.
Senate Bill 1, which received overwhelming approval in the Senate on Monday (9-12), pushes back the date for each school district to implement a written policy concerning employee-student communication, including the use of electronic media and other mechanisms to prevent improper communications between school district staff members and students, to March 1, 2012.
Also, SB 1 repeals the provision that prohibits teachers from creating and using a work-related Internet site unless it is available to school administrators and the child’s parent or guardian. In addition, it allows teachers to establish and maintain a work- and non-work related Internet site to have exclusive access with a current or former student.
Senate Bill 1 must receive a final passing vote in the Senate before moving on to the House of Representatives for similar consideration.
The Senate also assigned several House measures to their respective Senate committees for further review:
For more information about the Missouri Senate and the First Extraordinary Session of the 96th General Assembly, including a list of Senate and House bills and daily action on special session legislation, visit www.senate.mo.gov. To contact the Senate Newsroom, call (573) 751-3824 or email newsroom@senate.mo.gov.
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