Introduced

SB 417 - Current law requires every school district to adopt a policy about how and what information the district releases to other school districts about former employees. Beginning January 1, 2024, this act also requires such policies to include information about screened volunteers. A "screened volunteer" is defined in the act as any individual who assists a school by providing an uncompensated service, who may periodically be left alone with students, and who has successfully completed a criminal background check. The act applies to screened volunteers existing requirements related to allegations of sexual misconduct.

This act also establishes "Emilyn's Law," which designates as mandated reporters all employees of statewide athletic associations that receive public money and have at least one public school district as a member. The act requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to create and maintain a database listing each person who serves as a screened volunteer or who is employed as a coach or a member of the coaching staff for a school district that is a member of a statewide athletic association. Such database shall contain information related to specified substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct, as well as specified information obtained by school districts as a result of criminal background checks. A statewide athletic association shall consult this database before accepting a new screened volunteer or hiring a new coach or member of the coaching staff.

This act is identical to HB 139 (2023) and similar to provisions in SS/SCS/SB 40 (2023) and to HCS/HB 1955 (2022).

OLIVIA SHANNON


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