CT
Connecticut Senate Bill SB00381

Connecticut 2024 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00381 Compare Versions

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57 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 381
68 February Session, 2024
79
810
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12-AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE MANDATED REPORTER
13-REQUIREMENTS.
14+AN ACT CONCERNING THE TEACHING PROFESSION AND
15+REVISIONS TO THE MANDATED REPORTER REQUIREMENTS.
1416 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1517 Assembly convened:
1618
17-Section 1. Section 17a-101a of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
18-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 2
19-(a) (1) Any mandated reporter, as described in section 17a-101, who 3
20-in the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has 4
21-reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of 5
22-eighteen years (A) has been abused or neglected, as described in section 6
23-46b-120, (B) has had nonaccidental physical injury, or injury which is at 7
24-variance with the history given of such injury, inflicted upon such child, 8
25-or (C) is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, or (2) any school 9
26-employee, as defined in section 53a-65, who in the ordinary course of 10
27-such person's employment or profession has reasonable cause to suspect 11
28-or believe that any person who is being educated by the Technical 12
29-Education and Career System, [or] a local or regional board of 13
30-education, other than as part of an adult education program, or a 14
31-nonpublic school, is a victim under the provisions of section 53a-70, 53a-15
32-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, and the perpetrator is a school 16
33-employee shall report or cause a report to be made in accordance with 17
34-the provisions of sections 17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive. 18 Substitute Bill No. 381
19+Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) Any collective bargaining 1
20+agreement entered into, amended or extended on or after July 1, 2025, 2
21+between a local or regional board of education and the representatives 3
22+of the exclusive bargaining unit for certified employees, chosen 4
23+pursuant to section 10-153b of the general statutes, shall establish a 5
24+minimum salary for certified teachers that is not less than sixty thousand 6
25+dollars annually. 7
26+Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 8
27+2026, and annually thereafter, the Office of Policy and Management 9
28+shall create an independent appropriation for the purposes of providing 10
29+a teacher salary enhancement subsidy to local and regional boards of 11
30+education. The office shall use the funds available in such independent 12
31+appropriation to provide a subsidy to each local or regional board of 13
32+education in an amount equal to the difference between the annual 14
33+salary, as of July 1, 2024, of a certified teacher who is employed by such 15
34+board on said date and the minimum salary required pursuant to 16
35+section 1 of this act for each certified teacher employed by such board of 17
36+education whose annual salary is less than sixty thousand dollars. Any 18 Substitute Bill No. 381
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39-[(b) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of this 19
40-section who fails to make such report or fails to make such report within 20
41-the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive, 21
42-and section 17a-103 shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except that 22
43-such person shall be guilty of a class E felony if (A) such violation is a 23
44-subsequent violation, (B) such violation was wilful or intentional or due 24
45-to gross negligence, or (C) such person had actual knowledge that (i) a 25
46-child was abused or neglected, as described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a 26
47-person was a victim described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this 27
48-section. 28
49-(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with 29
50-or prevents the making of a report pursuant to this section, or attempts 30
51-or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of a class D felony. The provisions 31
52-of this subdivision shall not apply to any child under the age of eighteen 32
53-years or any person who is being educated by the Technical Education 33
54-and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than 34
55-as part of an adult education program. 35
56-(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection 36
57-shall be required to participate in an educational and training program. 37
58-The program may be provided by one or more private organizations 38
59-approved by the commissioner, provided the entire cost of the program 39
60-shall be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which 40
61-shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner. 41
62-(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the 42
63-commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's 43
64-Attorney when there is reason to believe that any such person has failed 44
65-to make a report in accordance with this section.] 45
66-[(d)] (b) For purposes of this section and section 17a-101b, a 46
67-mandated reporter's suspicion or belief may be based on factors 47
68-including, but not limited to, observations, allegations, facts or 48
69-statements by a child, victim, as described in subdivision (2) of 49
70-subsection (a) of this section, or third party. Such suspicion or belief does 50 Substitute Bill No. 381
43+such subsidy provided to a local or regional board of education under 19
44+this section shall not be combined with any other state grant provided 20
45+to local or regional boards of education under any provision of the 21
46+general statutes. 22
47+Sec. 3. (Effective from passage) The sum of fifty-five million dollars is 23
48+allocated, in accordance with the provisions of special act 21-1, from the 24
49+federal funds designated for the state pursuant to the provisions of 25
50+Section 602 of Subtitle M of Title IX of the American Rescue Plan Act of 26
51+2021, P.L. 117-2, as amended from time to time, to the Department of 27
52+Education, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, for the purpose of 28
53+providing a COVID-19 recognition payment in the amount of one 29
54+thousand dollars to each certified teacher who was employed by a local 30
55+or regional board of education and providing instruction during the 31
56+school years commencing July 1, 2019, and July 1, 2020. 32
57+Sec. 4. Subsection (a) of section 31-3i of the 2024 supplement to the 33
58+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 34
59+thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 35
60+(a) Pursuant to Section 101 of the federal Workforce Innovation and 36
61+Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, the members of the Governor's 37
62+Workforce Council shall be: 38
63+(1) The Governor; 39
64+(2) A member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the 40
65+speaker of the House of Representatives, and a member of the Senate, 41
66+appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; 42
67+(3) Twenty-four members, appointed by the Governor, who (A) are 43
68+owners of a business, chief executives or operating officers of a business, 44
69+or other business executives or employers with optimum policy-making 45
70+or hiring authority; (B) represent businesses or organizations 46
71+representing businesses that provide employment opportunities that, at 47
72+a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and 48
73+development in in-demand industry sectors or occupation in the state; 49 Substitute Bill No. 381
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75-not require certainty or probable cause. Nothing in this section shall 51
76-preclude a mandated reporter from conducting a preliminary inquiry to 52
77-determine if reasonable cause exists for such mandated reporter to make 53
78-a report pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. 54
79-Sec. 2. Section 17a-101e of the general statutes is repealed and the 55
80-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 56
81-(a) No employer shall (1) discharge, or in any manner discriminate or 57
82-retaliate against, any employee who in good faith makes a report 58
83-pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this 59
84-act, and 17a-103, testifies or is about to testify in any proceeding 60
85-involving child abuse or neglect, or (2) hinder or prevent, or attempt to 61
86-hinder or prevent, any employee from making a report pursuant to 62
87-sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 63
88-17a-103, or testifying in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect. 64
89-The Attorney General may bring an action in Superior Court against an 65
90-employer who violates this subsection. The court may assess a civil 66
91-penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars and may 67
92-order such other equitable relief as the court deems appropriate. 68
93-(b) Any person, institution or agency [which, in good faith,] that (1) 69
94-makes or does not make, in good faith, a report pursuant to sections 17a-70
95-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103, or (2) 71
96-provides, in good faith, professional medical intervention or assistance 72
97-in any proceeding involving child abuse and neglect, including, but not 73
98-limited to, (A) causing a photograph, x-ray or a physical custody 74
99-examination to be made, (B) causing a child to be taken into emergency 75
100-protective custody, (C) disclosing a medical record or other information 76
101-pertinent to the proceeding, or (D) performing a medically relevant test, 77
102-shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, which might 78
103-otherwise arise from or be related to the actions taken pursuant to this 79
104-subsection and shall have the same immunity with respect to any 80
105-judicial proceeding which results from such report or actions, provided 81
106-such person did not perpetrate or cause such abuse or neglect. The 82
107-immunity from civil or criminal liability extends only to actions done 83 Substitute Bill No. 381
80+or (C) have been nominated by state business organizations or business 50
81+trade associations. At a minimum, at least one such member shall 51
82+represent small businesses, as defined by the United States Small 52
83+Business Administration. 53
84+(4) The Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of Aging and Disability 54
85+Services, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Economic and 55
86+Community Development and the Chief Workforce Officer, or their 56
87+respective designees; 57
88+(5) Four representatives of labor organizations, who have been 58
89+nominated by state labor federations and appointed by the Governor; 59
90+(6) An individual, appointed by the Governor, who is a member of a 60
91+labor organization or a training director from a joint labor-management 61
92+apprenticeship program, or, if no such joint program exists in the state, 62
93+such a representative of an apprenticeship program in the state; 63
94+(7) An individual, appointed by the Governor, who is an expert in 64
95+residential construction; 65
96+(8) Five members, appointed by the Governor, who represent 66
97+community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience 67
98+and expertise in addressing employment, training, or education, 68
99+including one representative of a community action agency, as defined 69
100+in section 17b-885, and one representative of a philanthropic 70
101+organization; 71
102+(9) A representative from the Connecticut State Colleges and 72
103+Universities, a representative from The University of Connecticut and a 73
104+representative from a nonprofit institution of higher education in the 74
105+state, each appointed by the Governor; 75
106+(10) A representative from a regional vocational-technical school and 76
107+a representative from a regional agricultural science and technology 77
108+school, each appointed by the Governor; 78 Substitute Bill No. 381
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112-pursuant to this subsection and does not extend to the malpractice of a 84
113-medical professional that results in personal injury or death. 85
114-(c) Any person who is alleged to have knowingly made a false report 86
115-of child abuse or neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, 87
116-inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103 shall be referred to the 88
117-office of the Chief State's Attorney for purposes of a criminal 89
118-investigation. 90
119-(d) Any person who knowingly makes a false report of child abuse or 91
120-neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended 92
121-by this act, and 17a-103 shall be fined not more than two thousand 93
122-dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both. 94
123-Sec. 3. Subsection (d) of section 17a-101i of the general statutes is 95
124-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 96
125-2024): 97
126-(d) If a school employee, as defined in section 53a-65, or any person 98
127-holding a certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board 99
128-of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-149, 100
129-inclusive, is convicted of a crime involving an act of child abuse or 101
130-neglect as described in section 46b-120 or a violation of subdivision (2) 102
131-of subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a] (d) of section 17a-101o, as 103
132-amended by this act, or section 53-21, 53a-71 or 53a-73a against any 104
133-person, or a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-72a or 53a-72b 105
134-against a victim, as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of 106
135-section 17a-101a, as amended by this act, the state's attorney for the 107
136-judicial district in which the conviction occurred shall in writing notify 108
137-the superintendent of the school district or the supervisory agent of the 109
138-nonpublic school in which the person is employed and the 110
139-Commissioner of Education of such conviction. 111
140-Sec. 4. Section 17a-101o of the general statutes is repealed and the 112
141-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 113
142-(a) If the Commissioner of Children and Families suspects or knows 114 Substitute Bill No. 381
115+(11) Two superintendents of a local or regional board of education, 79
116+appointed by the Governor; 80
117+(12) A certified teacher employed by a local or regional board of 81
118+education, appointed by the Governor; 82
119+[(12)] (13) Two chief elected officials of municipalities, appointed by 83
120+the Governor; and 84
121+[(13)] (14) Two members of the public, who are enrolled in or who 85
122+have recently completed a nondegree workforce training program, 86
123+appointed by the Governor. 87
124+Sec. 5. Subsection (e) of section 10-144d of the 2024 supplement to the 88
125+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 89
126+thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 90
127+(e) The council shall (1) advise the [State Board of Education, the 91
128+Governor] Commissioner of Education and the joint standing 92
129+committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 93
130+relating to education concerning [teacher preparation,] teacher 94
131+recruitment, teacher retention, [teacher certification,] teacher 95
132+professional development, teacher assessment and evaluation, [and] 96
133+teacher professional discipline, [; (2) review and comment upon all 97
134+regulations and other standards concerning the approval of teacher 98
135+preparation programs and teacher certification] the equitable 99
136+distribution of teachers, diversity of the teaching workforce, special 100
137+education, testing and assessment of students, school safety and social-101
138+emotional learning; (2) share perspectives on the impact of proposed 102
139+policies and initiatives on classroom practice with the commissioner and 103
140+the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 104
141+cognizance of matters relating to education; (3) provide suggestions and 105
142+feedback on guidance to be sent to school districts related to the 106
143+implementation of such policies and initiatives with the commissioner; 107
144+and [(3)] (4) report to the [State Board of Education, the Governor] 108
145+commissioner and the joint standing committee of the General 109 Substitute Bill No. 381
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147-that a mandated reporter, as defined in section 17a-101, [employed by a 115
148-local or regional board of education,] has failed to make a report that a 116
149-child has been abused or neglected or placed in immediate risk of 117
150-serious harm within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to 118
151-[17a-101d] 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, [and section 17a-119
152-103,] the commissioner shall make a record of such [delay] failure to 120
153-report and develop and maintain a database of such records. The 121
154-commissioner shall [investigate such delayed reporting. Such 122
155-investigation] conduct an assessment with respect to such failure to 123
156-report. Such assessment shall be conducted in accordance with the 124
157-policy developed in subsection (b) of this section, and include the 125
158-actions taken by the employing local or regional board of education or 126
159-superintendent of schools for the district in response to such employee's 127
160-failure to report. 128
161-(b) The Department of Children and Families shall develop a policy 129
162-for the [investigation of delayed reports by mandated reporters] 130
163-assessment of the failure of mandated reporters to make reports within 131
164-the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as 132
165-amended by this act. Such policy shall include, but not be limited to, 133
166-when referrals to the appropriate law enforcement agency for [delayed 134
167-reporting] the failure to report are required and when the department 135
168-shall require mandated reporters who have been found to have [delayed 136
169-making a report] failed to make reports to participate in the educational 137
170-and training program pursuant to subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a] 138
171-(d) of this section. 139
172-(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the 140
173-commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's 141
174-Attorney when there is reason to believe that a mandated reporter has 142
175-failed to make a report in accordance with sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, 143
176-inclusive, as amended by this act. 144
177-(d) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of section 145
178-17a-101a, as amended by this act, who fails to make such report or fails 146
179-to make such report within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-147 Substitute Bill No. 381
152+Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education not later 110
153+than January 15, 1991, and annually thereafter, on its activities and 111
154+recommendations, if any, concerning the condition of the teaching 112
155+profession. 113
156+Sec. 6. Subsection (d) of section 10-151 of the general statutes is 114
157+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 115
158+2024): 116
159+(d) The contract of employment of a teacher who has attained tenure 117
160+shall be continued from school year to school year, except that it may be 118
161+terminated at any time for one or more of the following reasons: (1) 119
162+Inefficiency, incompetence or ineffectiveness, provided, if a teacher is 120
163+notified on or after July 1, 2014, that termination is under consideration 121
164+due to incompetence or ineffectiveness, the determination of 122
165+incompetence or ineffectiveness is based on evaluation of the teacher 123
166+using teacher evaluation guidelines established pursuant to section 10-124
167+151b; (2) insubordination against reasonable rules of the board of 125
168+education; (3) moral misconduct; (4) disability, as shown by competent 126
169+medical evidence; (5) elimination of the position to which the teacher 127
170+was appointed or loss of a position to another teacher, if no other 128
171+position exists to which such teacher may be appointed if qualified, 129
172+provided such teacher, if qualified, shall be appointed to a position held 130
173+by a teacher who has not attained tenure, and provided further that 131
174+determination of the individual contract or contracts of employment to 132
175+be terminated shall be made in accordance with either (A) a provision 133
176+for a layoff procedure agreed upon by the board of education and the 134
177+exclusive employees' representative organization, or (B) in the absence 135
178+of such agreement, a written policy of the board of education; or (6) 136
179+other [due and sufficient] just cause. Nothing in this section or in any 137
180+other section of the general statutes or of any special act shall preclude 138
181+a board of education from making an agreement with an exclusive 139
182+bargaining representative which contains a recall provision. Prior to 140
183+terminating a contract, the superintendent shall give the teacher 141
184+concerned a written notice that termination of such teacher's contract is 142 Substitute Bill No. 381
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184-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be guilty of a 148
185-class A misdemeanor, except that such person shall be guilty of a class 149
186-E felony if (A) such violation is a subsequent violation, (B) such violation 150
187-was wilful or intentional or due to gross negligence, or (C) such person 151
188-had actual knowledge that (i) a child was abused or neglected, as 152
189-described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a person was a victim described in 153
190-subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as amended by this 154
191-act. 155
192-(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with 156
193-or prevents the making of a report pursuant to section 17a-101a, as 157
194-amended by this act, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of 158
195-a class D felony. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to 159
196-any child under the age of eighteen years or any person who is being 160
197-educated by the Technical Education and Career System, a local or 161
198-regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education 162
199-program, or a nonpublic school. 163
200-(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection 164
201-shall be required to participate in an educational and training program. 165
202-The program may be provided by one or more private organizations 166
203-approved by the commissioner and the entire cost of the program shall 167
204-be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which shall 168
205-be subject to the approval of the commissioner. 169
206-[(c)] (e) For purposes of this section, "child" includes any victim 170
207-described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as 171
208-amended by this act. 172
209-Sec. 5. Subdivision (3) of subsection (i) of section 10-145b of the 173
210-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 174
211-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 175
212-(3) When the Commissioner of Education is notified, pursuant to 176
213-section 10-149a, as amended by this act, or 17a-101i, as amended by this 177
214-act, that a person holding a certificate, permit or authorization issued by 178
215-the State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 179 Substitute Bill No. 381
191+under consideration and give such teacher a statement of the reasons for 143
192+such consideration of termination. Not later than ten calendar days after 144
193+receipt of written notice by the superintendent that contract termination 145
194+is under consideration, such teacher may file with the local or regional 146
195+board of education a written request for a hearing. [A board of 147
196+education may designate a subcommittee of three or more board 148
197+members to conduct hearings and submit written findings and 149
198+recommendations to the board for final disposition in the case of 150
199+teachers whose contracts are terminated.] Such hearing shall commence 151
200+not later than fifteen calendar days after receipt of such request, unless 152
201+the parties mutually agree to an extension, not to exceed fifteen calendar 153
202+days [(A) before the board of education or a subcommittee of the board, 154
203+or (B) if indicated in such request or if designated by the board] before 155
204+an impartial hearing officer chosen by the teacher and the 156
205+superintendent. If the parties are unable to agree upon the choice of a 157
206+hearing officer not later than five calendar days after the decision to use 158
207+a hearing officer, the hearing officer shall be selected with the assistance 159
208+of the American Arbitration Association using its expedited selection 160
209+process and in accordance with its rules for selection of a neutral 161
210+arbitrator in grievance arbitration. If the hearing officer is not selected 162
211+with the assistance of such association after five days, the hearing shall 163
212+be held before the board of education or a subcommittee of the board. 164
213+When the reason for termination is incompetence or ineffectiveness, the 165
214+hearing shall [(i)] (A) address the question of whether the performance 166
215+evaluation ratings of the teacher were determined in good faith in 167
216+accordance with the program adopted by the local or regional board of 168
217+education pursuant to section 10-151b and were reasonable in light of 169
218+the evidence presented, and [(ii)] (B) be limited to twelve total hours of 170
219+evidence and testimony, with each side allowed not more than six hours 171
220+to present evidence and testimony except the board, subcommittee of 172
221+the board or impartial hearing officer may extend the time period for 173
222+evidence and testimony at the hearing when good cause is shown. Not 174
223+later than forty-five calendar days after receipt of the request for a 175
224+hearing, the [subcommittee of the board or] hearing officer, unless the 176
225+parties mutually agree to an extension not to exceed fifteen calendar 177 Substitute Bill No. 381
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220-10-149, inclusive, has been convicted of (A) a capital felony, under the 180
221-provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012, (B) arson 181
222-murder, pursuant to section 53a-54d, (C) a class A felony, (D) a class B 182
223-felony, except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-291, (E) a 183
224-crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described in section 184
225-46b-120, or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as amended by 185
226-this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-186
227-73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 53a-196, 53a-187
228-196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or subsection (a) of section 21a-277, 188
229-any certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board of 189
230-Education and held by such person shall be deemed revoked and the 190
231-commissioner shall notify such person of such revocation, provided 191
232-such person may request reconsideration pursuant to regulations 192
233-adopted by the State Board of Education, in accordance with the 193
234-provisions of chapter 54. As part of such reconsideration process, the 194
235-board shall make the initial determination as to whether to uphold or 195
236-overturn the revocation. The commissioner shall make the final 196
237-determination as to whether to uphold or overturn the revocation. 197
238-Sec. 6. Section 10-145i of the general statutes is repealed and the 198
239-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 199
240-Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-146b, 200
241-inclusive, and 10-149, the State Board of Education shall not issue or 201
242-reissue any certificate, authorization or permit pursuant to said sections 202
243-if (1) the applicant for such certificate, authorization or permit has been 203
244-convicted of any of the following: (A) A capital felony, as defined under 204
245-the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012; (B) 205
246-arson murder, as defined in section 53a-54d; (C) any class A felony; (D) 206
247-any class B felony except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-207
248-291; (E) a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described 208
249-in section 46b-120; or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as 209
250-amended by this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 210
251-53a-72b, 53a-73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 211
252-53a-196, 53a-196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or a violation of 212
253-subsection (a) of section 21a-277, and (2) the applicant completed 213 Substitute Bill No. 381
232+days, shall [submit written findings and a recommendation to the board 178
233+of education as to the disposition of the charges against the teacher and 179
234+shall send a copy of such findings and recommendation to the teacher. 180
235+The board of education shall give the teacher concerned its written 181
236+decision not later than fifteen calendar days after receipt of the written 182
237+recommendation of the subcommittee or hearing officer] render to the 183
238+board of education and the teacher a written disposition that shall be 184
239+binding on the parties. Each party shall share equally the fee of the 185
240+hearing officer and all other costs incidental to the hearing. [If the 186
241+hearing is before the board of education, the board shall render its 187
242+decision not later than fifteen calendar days after the close of such 188
243+hearing and shall send a copy of its decision to the teacher.] The hearing 189
244+shall be public if the teacher so requests. [or the board, subcommittee or 190
245+hearing officer so designates.] The teacher concerned shall have the right 191
246+to appear with counsel at the hearing, whether public or private. [A 192
247+copy of a transcript of the proceedings of the hearing shall be furnished 193
248+by the board of education, upon written request by the teacher within 194
249+fifteen days after the board's decision, provided the teacher shall assume 195
250+the cost of any such copy.] Nothing [herein] contained in this section 196
251+shall deprive a board of education or superintendent of the power to 197
252+suspend a teacher from duty immediately when serious misconduct is 198
253+charged without prejudice to the rights of the teacher as otherwise 199
254+provided in this section. 200
255+Sec. 7. Section 10-153f of the general statutes is repealed and the 201
256+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 202
257+(a) There shall be in the Department of Education an arbitration panel 203
258+of not less than [twenty-four] ten or more than [twenty-nine] fifteen 204
259+persons to serve as provided in subsection (c) of this section. The 205
260+Governor shall appoint the members of such panel, with the advice and 206
261+consent of the General Assembly, as follows: [(1) Seven members who 207
262+are representative of the interests of local and regional boards of 208
263+education and selected from lists of names submitted by such boards; 209
264+(2) seven members who are representative of the interests of exclusive 210 Substitute Bill No. 381
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258-serving the sentence for such conviction within the five years 214
259-immediately preceding the date of the application. 215
260-Sec. 7. Section 10-149a of the general statutes is repealed and the 216
261-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 217
262-If a person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the 218
263-State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-219
264-149, inclusive, is convicted of a felony or fined pursuant to section [17a-220
265-101a] 17a-101o, as amended by this act, the state's attorney or assistant 221
266-state's attorney for the judicial district in which the conviction or fine 222
267-occurred shall notify, in writing, the Commissioner of Education of such 223
268-conviction or fine. 224
269-Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is 225
270-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 226
271-2024): 227
272-(a) No local or regional board of education, governing council of a 228
273-state or local charter school, interdistrict magnet school operator or 229
274-supervisory agent of a nonpublic school shall offer employment to an 230
275-applicant for a position, including any position which is contracted for, 231
276-if such applicant would have direct student contact, prior to such board, 232
277-council, operator or supervisory agent: 233
278-(1) Requiring of such applicant: 234
279-(A) To list the name, address and telephone number of each current 235
280-or former employer of the applicant, if such current or former employer 236
281-was a local or regional board of education, council, operator or 237
282-supervisory agent or if such employment otherwise caused the 238
283-applicant to have contact with children; 239
284-(B) A written authorization that (i) consents to and authorizes 240
285-disclosure by the employers listed under subparagraph (A) of this 241
286-subdivision of the information requested under subdivision (2) of this 242
287-subsection and the release of related records by such employers, (ii) 243 Substitute Bill No. 381
271+bargaining representatives of certified employees and selected from lists 211
272+of names submitted by such bargaining representatives; and (3) not] Not 212
273+less than ten or more than fifteen members who are impartial 213
274+representatives of the interests of the public in general, residents of the 214
275+state of Connecticut, experienced in public sector collective bargaining 215
276+interest impasse resolution and selected from lists of names submitted 216
277+by the State Board of Education. The lists of names submitted to the 217
278+Governor [pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this 218
279+subsection] shall, in addition to complying with the provisions of 219
280+section 4-9b, include a report from the State Board of Education 220
281+certifying that the process conducted for soliciting applicants made 221
282+adequate outreach to minority communities and documenting that the 222
283+number and make-up of minority applicants considered reflect the 223
284+state's racial and ethnic diversity. Each member of the panel serving on 224
285+or appointed after January 1, 2016, shall serve a term of four years, 225
286+except that (1) each arbitrator shall hold office until a successor is 226
287+appointed and any arbitrator not reappointed shall finish to conclusion 227
288+any arbitration for which such arbitrator has been selected or appointed, 228
289+and (2) the term of each arbitrator who is a representative of the interests 229
290+of local and regional boards of education or is a representative of the 230
291+interests of exclusive bargaining representatives of certified employees 231
292+shall terminate on July 1, 2024. Arbitrators may be removed for good 232
293+cause. If any vacancy occurs in such panel, the Governor shall act within 233
294+forty days to fill such vacancy in the manner provided in section 4-19. 234
295+Persons appointed to the arbitration panel shall serve without 235
296+compensation but each shall receive a per diem fee for any day during 236
297+which such person is engaged in the arbitration of a dispute pursuant to 237
298+this section. The parties to the dispute so arbitrated shall pay the fee in 238
299+accordance with subsection (c) of this section. 239
300+(b) If any local or regional board of education cannot agree with the 240
301+exclusive representatives of a teachers' or administrators' unit after 241
302+negotiation concerning the terms and conditions of employment 242
303+applicable to the employees in such unit, either party may submit the 243
304+issues to the commissioner for mediation. On the one hundred sixtieth 244 Substitute Bill No. 381
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292-consents to and authorizes disclosure by the Department of Education 244
293-of the information requested under subdivision (3) of this subsection 245
294-and the release of related records by the department, and (iii) releases 246
295-those employers and the department from liability that may arise from 247
296-such disclosure or release of records pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3) 248
297-of this subsection; and 249
298-(C) A written statement of whether the applicant (i) has been the 250
299-subject of an abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct investigation by any 251
300-employer, state agency or municipal police department, unless the 252
301-investigation resulted in a finding that all allegations were 253
302-unsubstantiated, (ii) has ever been disciplined or asked to resign from 254
303-employment or resigned from or otherwise separated from any 255
304-employment while an allegation of abuse or neglect was pending or 256
305-under investigation by the Department of Children and Families, or an 257
306-allegation of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation or 258
307-due to an allegation substantiated pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse 259
308-or neglect, or of sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect 260
309-or sexual misconduct, or (iii) has ever had a professional or occupational 261
310-license or certificate suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such 262
311-a license or certificate while an allegation of abuse or neglect was 263
312-pending or under investigation by the department or an investigation 264
313-of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or due to an 265
314-allegation substantiated by the department of abuse or neglect or of 266
315-sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect or sexual 267
316-misconduct; 268
317-(2) Conducting a review of the employment history of the applicant 269
318-by contacting those employers listed by the applicant under subdivision 270
319-(1) of this subsection. Such review shall be conducted using a form 271
320-developed by the Department of Education in accordance with section 272
321-3 of public act 16-67 that shall request (A) the dates of employment of 273
322-the applicant, and (B) a statement as to whether the employer has 274
323-knowledge that the applicant (i) was the subject of an allegation of abuse 275
324-or neglect or sexual misconduct for which there is an investigation 276
325-pending with any employer, state agency or municipal police 277 Substitute Bill No. 381
311+day prior to the budget submission date, the commissioner shall order 245
312+the parties to report their settlement. If, on such one hundred sixtieth 246
313+day, the parties have not reached agreement and have failed to initiate 247
314+mediation, the commissioner shall order the parties to notify the 248
315+commissioner of the name of a mutually selected mediator and to 249
316+commence mediation. The commissioner may order the parties to 250
317+appear before said commissioner during the mediation period. In either 251
318+case, the parties shall meet with a mediator mutually selected by them, 252
319+provided such parties shall inform the commissioner of the name of 253
320+such mediator, or with the commissioner or the commissioner's agents 254
321+or a mediator designated by said commissioner. Mediators shall be 255
322+chosen from a panel of mediators selected by the State Board of 256
323+Education or from outside such panel if mutually agreed by the parties. 257
324+Such mediators shall receive a per diem fee determined on the basis of 258
325+the prevailing rate for such services, and the parties shall share equally 259
326+in the cost of such mediation. In any civil or criminal case, any 260
327+proceeding preliminary thereto, or in any legislative or administrative 261
328+proceeding, a mediator shall not disclose any confidential 262
329+communication made to such mediator in the course of mediation 263
330+unless the party making such communication waives such privilege. 264
331+The parties shall provide such information as the commissioner may 265
332+require. The commissioner may recommend a basis for settlement but 266
333+such recommendations shall not be binding upon the parties. Such 267
334+recommendation shall be made [within] not later than twenty-five days 268
335+after the day on which mediation begins. 269
336+(c) (1) On the fourth day next following the end of the mediation 270
337+session or on the one hundred thirty-fifth day prior to the budget 271
338+submission date, whichever is sooner, the commissioner shall order the 272
339+parties to report their settlement of the dispute or, if there is no 273
340+settlement, to notify the commissioner of either their agreement to 274
341+submit their dispute to a single arbitrator. [or the name of the arbitrator 275
342+selected by each of them. Within] Not later than five days of providing 276
343+such notice, the parties shall notify the commissioner of the name of the 277
344+arbitrator if there is an agreement on a single arbitrator appointed to the 278 Substitute Bill No. 381
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330-department or which has been substantiated, unless such substantiation 278
331-has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section 279
332-17a-101k; (ii) was disciplined or asked to resign from employment or 280
333-resigned from or otherwise separated from any employment while an 281
334-allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or 282
335-under investigation, or due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or 283
336-sexual misconduct, unless such substantiation has been reversed as a 284
337-result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section 17a-101k; or (iii) has 285
338-ever had a professional or occupational license, certificate, authorization 286
339-or permit suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such a license, 287
340-certificate, authorization or permit while an allegation of abuse or 288
341-neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or 289
342-due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct, unless 290
343-such substantiation has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted 291
344-pursuant to section 17a-101k. Such review may be conducted 292
345-telephonically or through written communication. Notwithstanding the 293
346-provisions of subsection (g) of section 31-51i, not later than five business 294
347-days after any such current or former employer of the applicant receives 295
348-a request for such information, such employer shall respond with such 296
349-information. A local or regional board of education, council, operator or 297
350-supervisory agent may request more information concerning any 298
351-response made by a current or former employer, and, notwithstanding 299
352-the provisions of said subsection (g), such employer shall respond not 300
353-later than five business days after receiving such request; and 301
354-(3) Requesting information from the Department of Education 302
355-concerning (A) the eligibility status for employment of any applicant for 303
356-a position requiring a certificate, authorization or permit issued 304
357-pursuant to chapter 166, (B) whether the department has knowledge 305
358-that a finding has been substantiated by the Department of Children and 306
359-Families pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse or neglect or of sexual 307
360-misconduct against the applicant and any information concerning such 308
361-a finding, and (C) whether the department has received notification that 309
362-the applicant has been convicted of a crime or of criminal charges 310
363-pending against the applicant and any information concerning such 311 Substitute Bill No. 381
351+panel pursuant to [subdivision (3) of] subsection (a) of this section. [or 279
352+agreement on the third arbitrator appointed to the panel pursuant to 280
353+said subdivision.] The commissioner may order the parties to appear 281
354+before said commissioner during the arbitration period. If the parties 282
355+have notified the commissioner of their agreement to submit their 283
356+dispute to a single arbitrator and they have not agreed on such 284
357+arbitrator, [within] not later than five days after such notification, the 285
358+commissioner shall select such single arbitrator who shall be an 286
359+impartial representative of the interests of the public in general. [If each 287
360+party has notified the commissioner of the name of the arbitrator it has 288
361+selected and the parties have not agreed on the third arbitrator, within 289
362+five days after such notification, the commissioner shall select a third 290
363+arbitrator, who shall be an impartial representative of the interests of the 291
364+public in general. If either party fails to notify the commissioner of the 292
365+name of an arbitrator, the commissioner shall select an arbitrator to 293
366+serve and the commissioner shall also select a third arbitrator who shall 294
367+be an impartial representative of the interests of the public in general.] 295
368+Any selection pursuant to this section by the commissioner of an 296
369+impartial arbitrator shall be made at random from among the members 297
370+appointed under [subdivision (3) of] subsection (a) of this section. 298
371+Arbitrators shall be selected from the panel appointed pursuant to 299
372+subsection (a) of this section and shall receive a per diem fee determined 300
373+on the basis of the prevailing rate for such services. [Whenever a panel 301
374+of three arbitrators is selected, the chairperson of such panel shall be the 302
375+impartial representative of the interests of the public in general.] 303
376+(2) The [chairperson of the arbitration panel or the single] arbitrator 304
377+shall set the date, time and place for a hearing to be held in the school 305
378+district between the fifth and twelfth day, inclusive, after such 306
379+[chairperson or such single] arbitrator is selected. At least five days prior 307
380+to such hearing, a written notice of the date, time and place of the 308
381+hearing shall be sent to the board of education and the representative 309
382+organization which are parties to the dispute. [, and, if a three-member 310
383+arbitration panel is selected or designated, to the other members of such 311
384+panel.] Such written notice shall also be sent, by registered mail, return 312 Substitute Bill No. 381
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368-charges. 312
369-Sec. 9. Subsection (m) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is 313
370-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 314
371-2024): 315
372-(m) No local or regional board of education, council, operator or 316
373-supervisory agent shall offer employment to any applicant who had any 317
374-previous employment contract terminated by a board, council, operator 318
375-or supervisory agent or who resigned from such employment, if such 319
376-person has been convicted of a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, 320
377-as amended by this act, when an allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual 321
378-assault has been substantiated. 322
379-Sec. 10. Section 10-221s of the general statutes is repealed and the 323
380-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 324
381-(a) Each local and regional board of education shall post the 325
382-telephone number for the Careline operated by the Department of 326
383-Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-103a, and the Internet 327
384-web site address that provides information about the Careline in a 328
385-conspicuous location frequented by students in each school under the 329
386-jurisdiction of the board. Such posting shall be in various languages that 330
387-are the most appropriate for the students enrolled in the school. 331
388-(b) A local or regional board of education shall permit and give 332
389-priority to any investigation conducted by the Commissioner of 333
390-Children and Families or the appropriate local law enforcement agency 334
391-that a child has been abused or neglected pursuant to sections 17a-101a 335
392-to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and section 17a-103. Such 336
393-board of education shall conduct its own investigation and take any 337
394-disciplinary action, in accordance with the provisions of section 17a-338
395-101i, as amended by this act, upon notice from the commissioner or the 339
396-appropriate local law enforcement agency that such board's 340
397-investigation will not interfere with the investigation of the 341
398-commissioner or such local law enforcement agency. A preliminary 342
399-inquiry described in subsection (b) of section 17a-101a, as amended by 343 Substitute Bill No. 381
391+receipt requested, to the fiscal authority having budgetary responsibility 313
392+or charged with making appropriations for the school district, and a 314
393+representative designated by such body may be heard at the hearing as 315
394+part of the presentation and participation of the board of education. At 316
395+the hearing each party shall have full opportunity to submit all relevant 317
396+evidence, to introduce relevant documents and written material and to 318
397+argue on behalf of its positions. At the hearing a representative of the 319
398+fiscal authority having budgetary responsibility or charged with 320
399+making appropriations for the school district shall be heard regarding 321
400+the financial capability of the school district, unless such opportunity to 322
401+be heard is waived by the fiscal authority. The nonappearance of the 323
402+representative shall constitute a waiver of the opportunity to be heard 324
403+unless there is a showing that proper notice was not given to the fiscal 325
404+authority. The [chairperson of the arbitration panel or the single] 326
405+arbitrator shall preside over such hearing. 327
406+(3) The hearing may, at the discretion of the [arbitration panel or the 328
407+single] arbitrator, be continued but in any event shall be concluded 329
408+within twenty-five days after its commencement. 330
409+(4) After hearing all the issues, the [arbitrators or the single] arbitrator 331
410+shall, within twenty days, render a decision in writing, signed by [a 332
411+majority of the arbitrators or the single] the arbitrator, which states in 333
412+detail the nature of the decision and the disposition of the issues by the 334
413+[arbitrators or the single] arbitrator. The written decision shall include a 335
414+narrative explaining the evaluation by the [arbitrators or the single] 336
415+arbitrator of the evidence presented for each item upon which a decision 337
416+was rendered by the [arbitrators or the single] arbitrator and shall state 338
417+with particularity the basis for the decision as to each disputed issue and 339
418+the manner in which the factors enumerated in this subdivision were 340
419+considered in arriving at such decision, including, where applicable, the 341
420+specific similar groups and conditions of employment presented for 342
421+comparison and accepted by the [arbitrators or the single] arbitrator and 343
422+the reason for such acceptance. The [arbitrators or the single] arbitrator 344
423+shall file one copy of the decision with the commissioner, each town 345 Substitute Bill No. 381
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404-this act, shall not be considered an investigation conducted by a board 344
405-of education under this section. 345
406-Sec. 11. (Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2024, the 346
407-Commissioner of Children and Families shall update the educational 347
408-training program and refresher training program for the accurate and 348
409-prompt identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect, 349
410-developed pursuant to subsection (c) of section 17a-101 of the general 350
411-statutes, to include training for school employees, as defined in section 351
412-53a-65 of the general statutes, on (1) the proper manner in which to 352
413-conduct a preliminary inquiry described in subsection (b) of section 17a-353
414-101a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and (2) the 354
415-provisions of section 10-221s of the general statutes, as amended by this 355
416-act. 356
430+clerk in the school district involved, the legislative body or bodies of the 346
431+town or towns for the school district involved, or, in the case of a town 347
432+for which the legislative body of the town is a town meeting or 348
433+representative town meeting, to the board of selectmen, and the board 349
434+of education and organization which are parties to the dispute. The 350
435+decision of the [arbitrators or the single] arbitrator shall be final and 351
436+binding upon the parties to the dispute unless a rejection is filed in 352
437+accordance with subdivision (7) of this subsection. The decision of the 353
438+[arbitrators or the single] arbitrator shall incorporate those items of 354
439+agreement the parties have reached prior to its issuance. At any time 355
440+prior to the issuance of a decision by the [arbitrators or the single] 356
441+arbitrator, the parties may jointly file with the [arbitrators or the single] 357
442+arbitrator, any stipulations setting forth contract provisions which both 358
443+parties agree to accept. In arriving at a decision, the [arbitrators or the 359
444+single] arbitrator shall give priority to the public interest and the 360
445+financial capability of the town or towns in the school district, including 361
446+consideration of other demands on the financial capability of the town 362
447+or towns in the school district. In assessing the public interest, equity 363
448+and stability of compensation models shall be valued and there shall be 364
449+a rebuttable presumption that the board of education shall maintain and 365
450+execute any obligations created by existing salary schedules that 366
451+provide for annual progression of employees' salaries from one step on 367
452+a salary schedule to another and any obligations regarding the 368
453+maintenance of health care benefits. In assessing the financial capability 369
454+of the town or towns, there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that a 370
455+budget reserve of five per cent or less is not available for payment of the 371
456+cost of any item subject to arbitration under this chapter. The [arbitrators 372
457+or the single] arbitrator shall further consider, in light of such financial 373
458+capability, the following factors: (A) The negotiations between the 374
459+parties prior to arbitration, including the offers and the range of 375
460+discussion of the issues; (B) the interests and welfare of the employee 376
461+group, including the maintenance of health care benefits; (C) changes in 377
462+the cost of living averaged over the preceding three years; (D) the 378
463+existing conditions of employment of the employee group and those of 379
464+similar groups; and (E) the salaries, fringe benefits, and other conditions 380 Substitute Bill No. 381
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471+of employment prevailing in the state labor market, including the terms 381
472+of recent contract settlements or awards in collective bargaining for 382
473+other municipal employee organizations and developments in private 383
474+sector wages and benefits. The parties shall submit to the [arbitrators or 384
475+the single] arbitrator their respective positions on each individual issue 385
476+in dispute between them in the form of a last best offer. The [arbitrators 386
477+or the single] arbitrator shall resolve separately each individual 387
478+disputed issue by accepting the last best offer thereon of either of the 388
479+parties, and shall incorporate in a decision each such accepted 389
480+individual last best offer and an explanation of how the total cost of all 390
481+offers accepted was considered. The award of the [arbitrators or the 391
482+single] arbitrator shall not be subject to rejection by referendum. The 392
483+parties shall [each pay the fee of the arbitrator selected by or for them 393
484+and] share equally the fee of the [third arbitrator or the single] arbitrator 394
485+and all other costs incidental to the arbitration. 395
486+(5) The commissioner shall assist the [arbitration panel or the single] 396
487+arbitrator as may be required in the course of arbitration pursuant to 397
488+this section. 398
489+(6) If the day for filing any document required pursuant to this 399
490+section falls on Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, the time for such filing 400
491+shall be extended to the next business day thereafter. 401
492+(7) The award of the [arbitrators or single] arbitrator may be rejected 402
493+by the legislative body of the local school district or, in the case of a 403
494+regional school district, by the legislative bodies of the participating 404
495+towns. Such rejection shall be by a two-thirds majority vote of the 405
496+members of such legislative body or, in the case of a regional school 406
497+district, the legislative body of each participating town, present at a 407
498+regular or special meeting called and convened for such purpose within 408
499+twenty-five days of the receipt of the award. If the legislative body or 409
500+legislative bodies, as appropriate, reject any such award, they shall 410
501+notify, within ten days after the vote to reject, the commissioner and the 411
502+exclusive representative for the teachers' or administrators' unit of such 412
503+vote and submit to them a written explanation of the reasons for the 413 Substitute Bill No. 381
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510+vote. [Within] Not later than ten days after receipt of such notice, the 414
511+exclusive representative of the teachers' or administrators' unit shall 415
512+prepare, and the board of education may prepare, a written response to 416
513+such rejection and shall submit it to such legislative body or legislative 417
514+bodies, as appropriate, and the commissioner. Within ten days after the 418
515+commissioner has been notified of the vote to reject, (A) the 419
516+commissioner shall select a review panel of three arbitrators or, if the 420
517+parties agree, a single arbitrator, who are residents of Connecticut and 421
518+labor relations arbitrators approved by the American Arbitration 422
519+Association and not members of the panel who issued the rejected 423
520+award, and (B) such arbitrators or single arbitrator shall review the 424
521+decision on each rejected issue. The review conducted pursuant to this 425
522+subdivision shall be limited to the record and briefs of the hearing 426
523+pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, the written explanation of 427
524+the reasons for the vote and a written response by either party. In 428
525+conducting such review, the arbitrators or single arbitrator shall be 429
526+limited to consideration of the criteria set forth in subdivision (4) of this 430
527+subsection. Such review shall be completed [within] not later than 431
528+twenty days [of] after the appointment of the arbitrators or single 432
529+arbitrator. The arbitrators or single arbitrator shall accept the last best 433
530+offer of either of the parties. [Within] Not later than five days after the 434
531+completion of such review, the arbitrators or single arbitrator shall 435
532+render a final and binding award with respect to each rejected issue. The 436
533+decision of the arbitrators or single arbitrator shall be in writing and 437
534+shall include the specific reasons and standards used by each arbitrator 438
535+in making his decision on each issue. The decision shall be filed with the 439
536+parties. The reasonable costs of the arbitrators or single arbitrator and 440
537+the cost of the transcript shall be paid by the legislative body or 441
538+legislative bodies, as appropriate. Where the legislative body of the 442
539+school district is the town meeting, the board of selectmen shall have all 443
540+of the authority and responsibilities required of and granted to the 444
541+legislative body under this subdivision. 445
542+(8) The decision of the arbitrators or a single arbitrator shall be subject 446
543+to judicial review upon the filing by a party to the arbitration, within 447 Substitute Bill No. 381
544+
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549+
550+thirty days following receipt of a final decision pursuant to subdivision 448
551+(4) or (7), as appropriate, of a motion to vacate or modify such decision 449
552+in the superior court for the judicial district wherein the school district 450
553+involved is located. The superior court, after hearing, may vacate or 451
554+modify the decision if substantial rights of a party have been prejudiced 452
555+because such decision is: (A) In violation of constitutional or statutory 453
556+provisions; (B) in excess of the statutory authority of the panel; (C) made 454
557+upon unlawful procedure; (D) affected by other error of law; (E) clearly 455
558+erroneous in view of the reliable, probative and substantial evidence on 456
559+the whole record; or (F) arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse 457
560+of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion. In any action 458
561+brought pursuant to this subdivision to vacate or modify the decision of 459
562+the arbitrators or single arbitrator, reasonable attorney's fees, costs and 460
563+legal interest on salary withheld as the result of an appeal of said 461
564+decision may be awarded in accordance with the following: Where the 462
565+board of education moves to vacate or modify the decision and the 463
566+decision is not vacated or modified, the court may award to the 464
567+organization which is the exclusive representative reasonable attorney's 465
568+fees, costs and legal interest on salary withheld as the result of an appeal; 466
569+or, where the organization which is the exclusive representative moves 467
570+to vacate or modify the decision and the decision is not vacated or 468
571+modified, the court may award to the board of education reasonable 469
572+attorney's fees, costs and legal interest on salary withheld as the result 470
573+of an appeal. 471
574+(d) The commissioner and the arbitrators or single arbitrator shall 472
575+have the same powers and duties as the board under section 31-108 for 473
576+the purposes of mediation or arbitration pursuant to this section, and 474
577+subsection (c) of section 10-153d, and all provisions in section 31-108 475
578+with respect to procedure, jurisdiction of the Superior Court, witnesses 476
579+and penalties shall apply. 477
580+(e) The local or regional board of education and the organization 478
581+designated or elected as the exclusive representative for the appropriate 479
582+unit, through designated officials or their representatives, which are 480 Substitute Bill No. 381
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588+
589+parties to a collective bargaining agreement, and which, for the purpose 481
590+of negotiating with respect to salaries, hours and other conditions of 482
591+employment, mutually agree to negotiate during the term of the 483
592+agreement or are ordered to negotiate said agreement by a body of 484
593+competent jurisdiction, shall notify the commissioner of the date upon 485
594+which negotiations commenced [within] not later than five days after 486
595+said commencement. If the parties are unable to reach settlement not 487
596+later than twenty-five days after the date of the commencement of 488
597+negotiations, the parties shall notify the commissioner of the name of a 489
598+mutually selected mediator and shall conduct mediation pursuant to the 490
599+provisions of subsection (b) of this section, notwithstanding the 491
600+mediation time schedule of subsection (b) of this section. On the fourth 492
601+day next following the end of the mediation session or on the fiftieth 493
602+day following the date of the commencement of negotiations, whichever 494
603+is sooner, if no settlement is reached the parties shall commence 495
604+arbitration pursuant to the provisions of subsections (a), (c) and (d) of 496
605+this section, notwithstanding the reference to the budget submission 497
606+date. 498
607+(f) The State Board of Education shall adopt regulations pursuant to 499
608+chapter 54 concerning the method by which names of persons who are 500
609+impartial representatives of the interests of the public in general are 501
610+placed on lists submitted by the State Board of Education to the 502
611+Governor for appointment to the arbitration panel established pursuant 503
612+to subsection (a) of this section. Such regulations shall include, but not 504
613+be limited to (1) a description of the composition of the group which 505
614+screens persons applying to be such impartial representatives, which 506
615+group shall include representatives of local legislative and fiscal 507
616+authorities and local and regional boards of education and exclusive 508
617+bargaining representatives of certified employees, (2) application 509
618+requirements and procedures and (3) the selection criteria and process, 510
619+including an evaluation of an applicant's experience in arbitration. Such 511
620+regulations shall provide for a training program for applicants who lack 512
621+experience in arbitration but who are otherwise qualified and shall 513
622+describe the criteria for participation in the training program. 514 Substitute Bill No. 381
623+
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628+
629+Sec. 8. Section 17a-101a of the general statutes is repealed and the 515
630+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 516
631+(a) (1) Any mandated reporter, as described in section 17a-101, who 517
632+in the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has 518
633+reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of 519
634+eighteen years (A) has been abused or neglected, as described in section 520
635+46b-120, (B) has had nonaccidental physical injury, or injury which is at 521
636+variance with the history given of such injury, inflicted upon such child, 522
637+or (C) is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, or (2) any school 523
638+employee, as defined in section 53a-65, who in the ordinary course of 524
639+such person's employment or profession has reasonable cause to suspect 525
640+or believe that any person who is being educated by the Technical 526
641+Education and Career System, [or] a local or regional board of 527
642+education, other than as part of an adult education program, or a 528
643+nonpublic school, is a victim under the provisions of section 53a-70, 53a-529
644+70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, and the perpetrator is a school 530
645+employee shall report or cause a report to be made in accordance with 531
646+the provisions of sections 17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive. 532
647+[(b) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of this 533
648+section who fails to make such report or fails to make such report within 534
649+the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive, 535
650+and section 17a-103 shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except that 536
651+such person shall be guilty of a class E felony if (A) such violation is a 537
652+subsequent violation, (B) such violation was wilful or intentional or due 538
653+to gross negligence, or (C) such person had actual knowledge that (i) a 539
654+child was abused or neglected, as described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a 540
655+person was a victim described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this 541
656+section. 542
657+(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with 543
658+or prevents the making of a report pursuant to this section, or attempts 544
659+or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of a class D felony. The provisions 545
660+of this subdivision shall not apply to any child under the age of eighteen 546
661+years or any person who is being educated by the Technical Education 547 Substitute Bill No. 381
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667+
668+and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than 548
669+as part of an adult education program. 549
670+(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection 550
671+shall be required to participate in an educational and training program. 551
672+The program may be provided by one or more private organizations 552
673+approved by the commissioner, provided the entire cost of the program 553
674+shall be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which 554
675+shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner. 555
676+(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the 556
677+commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's 557
678+Attorney when there is reason to believe that any such person has failed 558
679+to make a report in accordance with this section.] 559
680+[(d)] (b) For purposes of this section and section 17a-101b, a 560
681+mandated reporter's suspicion or belief may be based on factors 561
682+including, but not limited to, observations, allegations, facts or 562
683+statements by a child, victim, as described in subdivision (2) of 563
684+subsection (a) of this section, or third party. Such suspicion or belief does 564
685+not require certainty or probable cause. Nothing in this section shall 565
686+preclude a mandated reporter from conducting a preliminary inquiry to 566
687+determine if reasonable cause exists for such mandated reporter to make 567
688+a report pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. 568
689+Sec. 9. Section 17a-101e of the general statutes is repealed and the 569
690+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 570
691+(a) No employer shall (1) discharge, or in any manner discriminate or 571
692+retaliate against, any employee who in good faith makes a report 572
693+pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this 573
694+act, and 17a-103, testifies or is about to testify in any proceeding 574
695+involving child abuse or neglect, or (2) hinder or prevent, or attempt to 575
696+hinder or prevent, any employee from making a report pursuant to 576
697+sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 577
698+17a-103, or testifying in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect. 578 Substitute Bill No. 381
699+
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704+
705+The Attorney General may bring an action in Superior Court against an 579
706+employer who violates this subsection. The court may assess a civil 580
707+penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars and may 581
708+order such other equitable relief as the court deems appropriate. 582
709+(b) Any person, institution or agency [which, in good faith,] that (1) 583
710+makes or does not make, in good faith, a report pursuant to sections 17a-584
711+101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103, or (2) 585
712+provides, in good faith, professional medical intervention or assistance 586
713+in any proceeding involving child abuse and neglect, including, but not 587
714+limited to, (A) causing a photograph, x-ray or a physical custody 588
715+examination to be made, (B) causing a child to be taken into emergency 589
716+protective custody, (C) disclosing a medical record or other information 590
717+pertinent to the proceeding, or (D) performing a medically relevant test, 591
718+shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, which might 592
719+otherwise arise from or be related to the actions taken pursuant to this 593
720+subsection and shall have the same immunity with respect to any 594
721+judicial proceeding which results from such report or actions, provided 595
722+such person did not perpetrate or cause such abuse or neglect. The 596
723+immunity from civil or criminal liability extends only to actions done 597
724+pursuant to this subsection and does not extend to the malpractice of a 598
725+medical professional that results in personal injury or death. 599
726+(c) Any person who is alleged to have knowingly made a false report 600
727+of child abuse or neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, 601
728+inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103 shall be referred to the 602
729+office of the Chief State's Attorney for purposes of a criminal 603
730+investigation. 604
731+(d) Any person who knowingly makes a false report of child abuse or 605
732+neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended 606
733+by this act, and 17a-103 shall be fined not more than two thousand 607
734+dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both. 608
735+Sec. 10. Subsection (d) of section 17a-101i of the general statutes is 609
736+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 610 Substitute Bill No. 381
737+
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743+2024): 611
744+(d) If a school employee, as defined in section 53a-65, or any person 612
745+holding a certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board 613
746+of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-149, 614
747+inclusive, is convicted of a crime involving an act of child abuse or 615
748+neglect as described in section 46b-120 or a violation of subdivision (2) 616
749+of subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a] (d) of section 17a-101o, as 617
750+amended by this act, or section 53-21, 53a-71 or 53a-73a against any 618
751+person, or a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-72a or 53a-72b 619
752+against a victim, as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of 620
753+section 17a-101a, as amended by this act, the state's attorney for the 621
754+judicial district in which the conviction occurred shall in writing notify 622
755+the superintendent of the school district or the supervisory agent of the 623
756+nonpublic school in which the person is employed and the 624
757+Commissioner of Education of such conviction. 625
758+Sec. 11. Section 17a-101o of the general statutes is repealed and the 626
759+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 627
760+(a) If the Commissioner of Children and Families suspects or knows 628
761+that a mandated reporter, as defined in section 17a-101, [employed by a 629
762+local or regional board of education,] has failed to make a report that a 630
763+child has been abused or neglected or placed in immediate risk of 631
764+serious harm within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to 632
765+[17a-101d] 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, [and section 17a-633
766+103,] the commissioner shall make a record of such [delay] failure to 634
767+report and develop and maintain a database of such records. The 635
768+commissioner shall [investigate such delayed reporting. Such 636
769+investigation] conduct an assessment with respect to such failure to 637
770+report. Such assessment shall be conducted in accordance with the 638
771+policy developed in subsection (b) of this section, and include the 639
772+actions taken by the employing local or regional board of education or 640
773+superintendent of schools for the district in response to such employee's 641
774+failure to report. 642 Substitute Bill No. 381
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780+
781+(b) The Department of Children and Families shall develop a policy 643
782+for the [investigation of delayed reports by mandated reporters] 644
783+assessment of the failure of mandated reporters to make reports within 645
784+the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as 646
785+amended by this act. Such policy shall include, but not be limited to, 647
786+when referrals to the appropriate law enforcement agency for [delayed 648
787+reporting] the failure to report are required and when the department 649
788+shall require mandated reporters who have been found to have [delayed 650
789+making a report] failed to make reports to participate in the educational 651
790+and training program pursuant to subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a] 652
791+(d) of this section. 653
792+(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the 654
793+commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's 655
794+Attorney when there is reason to believe that a mandated reporter has 656
795+failed to make a report in accordance with sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, 657
796+inclusive, as amended by this act. 658
797+(d) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of section 659
798+17a-101a, as amended by this act, who fails to make such report or fails 660
799+to make such report within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-661
800+101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be guilty of a 662
801+class A misdemeanor, except that such person shall be guilty of a class 663
802+E felony if (A) such violation is a subsequent violation, (B) such violation 664
803+was wilful or intentional or due to gross negligence, or (C) such person 665
804+had actual knowledge that (i) a child was abused or neglected, as 666
805+described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a person was a victim described in 667
806+subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as amended by this 668
807+act. 669
808+(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with 670
809+or prevents the making of a report pursuant to section 17a-101a, as 671
810+amended by this act, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of 672
811+a class D felony. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to 673
812+any child under the age of eighteen years or any person who is being 674
813+educated by the Technical Education and Career System, a local or 675 Substitute Bill No. 381
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819+
820+regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education 676
821+program, or a nonpublic school. 677
822+(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection 678
823+shall be required to participate in an educational and training program. 679
824+The program may be provided by one or more private organizations 680
825+approved by the commissioner and the entire cost of the program shall 681
826+be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which shall 682
827+be subject to the approval of the commissioner. 683
828+[(c)] (e) For purposes of this section, "child" includes any victim 684
829+described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as 685
830+amended by this act. 686
831+Sec. 12. Subdivision (3) of subsection (i) of section 10-145b of the 687
832+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 688
833+thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 689
834+(3) When the Commissioner of Education is notified, pursuant to 690
835+section 10-149a, as amended by this act, or 17a-101i, as amended by this 691
836+act, that a person holding a certificate, permit or authorization issued by 692
837+the State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 693
838+10-149, inclusive, has been convicted of (A) a capital felony, under the 694
839+provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012, (B) arson 695
840+murder, pursuant to section 53a-54d, (C) a class A felony, (D) a class B 696
841+felony, except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-291, (E) a 697
842+crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described in section 698
843+46b-120, or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as amended by 699
844+this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-700
845+73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 53a-196, 53a-701
846+196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or subsection (a) of section 21a-277, 702
847+any certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board of 703
848+Education and held by such person shall be deemed revoked and the 704
849+commissioner shall notify such person of such revocation, provided 705
850+such person may request reconsideration pursuant to regulations 706
851+adopted by the State Board of Education, in accordance with the 707 Substitute Bill No. 381
852+
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857+
858+provisions of chapter 54. As part of such reconsideration process, the 708
859+board shall make the initial determination as to whether to uphold or 709
860+overturn the revocation. The commissioner shall make the final 710
861+determination as to whether to uphold or overturn the revocation. 711
862+Sec. 13. Section 10-145i of the general statutes is repealed and the 712
863+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 713
864+Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-146b, 714
865+inclusive, and 10-149, the State Board of Education shall not issue or 715
866+reissue any certificate, authorization or permit pursuant to said sections 716
867+if (1) the applicant for such certificate, authorization or permit has been 717
868+convicted of any of the following: (A) A capital felony, as defined under 718
869+the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012; (B) 719
870+arson murder, as defined in section 53a-54d; (C) any class A felony; (D) 720
871+any class B felony except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-721
872+291; (E) a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described 722
873+in section 46b-120; or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as 723
874+amended by this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 724
875+53a-72b, 53a-73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 725
876+53a-196, 53a-196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or a violation of 726
877+subsection (a) of section 21a-277, and (2) the applicant completed 727
878+serving the sentence for such conviction within the five years 728
879+immediately preceding the date of the application. 729
880+Sec. 14. Section 10-149a of the general statutes is repealed and the 730
881+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 731
882+If a person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the 732
883+State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-733
884+149, inclusive, is convicted of a felony or fined pursuant to section [17a-734
885+101a] 17a-101o, as amended by this act, the state's attorney or assistant 735
886+state's attorney for the judicial district in which the conviction or fine 736
887+occurred shall notify, in writing, the Commissioner of Education of such 737
888+conviction or fine. 738 Substitute Bill No. 381
889+
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894+
895+Sec. 15. Subsection (a) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is 739
896+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 740
897+2024): 741
898+(a) No local or regional board of education, governing council of a 742
899+state or local charter school, interdistrict magnet school operator or 743
900+supervisory agent of a nonpublic school shall offer employment to an 744
901+applicant for a position, including any position which is contracted for, 745
902+if such applicant would have direct student contact, prior to such board, 746
903+council, operator or supervisory agent: 747
904+(1) Requiring of such applicant: 748
905+(A) To list the name, address and telephone number of each current 749
906+or former employer of the applicant, if such current or former employer 750
907+was a local or regional board of education, council, operator or 751
908+supervisory agent or if such employment otherwise caused the 752
909+applicant to have contact with children; 753
910+(B) A written authorization that (i) consents to and authorizes 754
911+disclosure by the employers listed under subparagraph (A) of this 755
912+subdivision of the information requested under subdivision (2) of this 756
913+subsection and the release of related records by such employers, (ii) 757
914+consents to and authorizes disclosure by the Department of Education 758
915+of the information requested under subdivision (3) of this subsection 759
916+and the release of related records by the department, and (iii) releases 760
917+those employers and the department from liability that may arise from 761
918+such disclosure or release of records pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3) 762
919+of this subsection; and 763
920+(C) A written statement of whether the applicant (i) has been the 764
921+subject of an abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct investigation by any 765
922+employer, state agency or municipal police department, unless the 766
923+investigation resulted in a finding that all allegations were 767
924+unsubstantiated, (ii) has ever been disciplined or asked to resign from 768
925+employment or resigned from or otherwise separated from any 769 Substitute Bill No. 381
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931+
932+employment while an allegation of abuse or neglect was pending or 770
933+under investigation by the Department of Children and Families, or an 771
934+allegation of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation or 772
935+due to an allegation substantiated pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse 773
936+or neglect, or of sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect 774
937+or sexual misconduct, or (iii) has ever had a professional or occupational 775
938+license or certificate suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such 776
939+a license or certificate while an allegation of abuse or neglect was 777
940+pending or under investigation by the department or an investigation 778
941+of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or due to an 779
942+allegation substantiated by the department of abuse or neglect or of 780
943+sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect or sexual 781
944+misconduct; 782
945+(2) Conducting a review of the employment history of the applicant 783
946+by contacting those employers listed by the applicant under subdivision 784
947+(1) of this subsection. Such review shall be conducted using a form 785
948+developed by the Department of Education in accordance with section 786
949+3 of public act 16-67 that shall request (A) the dates of employment of 787
950+the applicant, and (B) a statement as to whether the employer has 788
951+knowledge that the applicant (i) was the subject of an allegation of abuse 789
952+or neglect or sexual misconduct for which there is an investigation 790
953+pending with any employer, state agency or municipal police 791
954+department or which has been substantiated, unless such substantiation 792
955+has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section 793
956+17a-101k; (ii) was disciplined or asked to resign from employment or 794
957+resigned from or otherwise separated from any employment while an 795
958+allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or 796
959+under investigation, or due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or 797
960+sexual misconduct, unless such substantiation has been reversed as a 798
961+result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section 17a-101k; or (iii) has 799
962+ever had a professional or occupational license, certificate, authorization 800
963+or permit suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such a license, 801
964+certificate, authorization or permit while an allegation of abuse or 802
965+neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or 803 Substitute Bill No. 381
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970+26 of 28
971+
972+due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct, unless 804
973+such substantiation has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted 805
974+pursuant to section 17a-101k. Such review may be conducted 806
975+telephonically or through written communication. Notwithstanding the 807
976+provisions of subsection (g) of section 31-51i, not later than five business 808
977+days after any such current or former employer of the applicant receives 809
978+a request for such information, such employer shall respond with such 810
979+information. A local or regional board of education, council, operator or 811
980+supervisory agent may request more information concerning any 812
981+response made by a current or former employer, and, notwithstanding 813
982+the provisions of said subsection (g), such employer shall respond not 814
983+later than five business days after receiving such request; and 815
984+(3) Requesting information from the Department of Education 816
985+concerning (A) the eligibility status for employment of any applicant for 817
986+a position requiring a certificate, authorization or permit issued 818
987+pursuant to chapter 166, (B) whether the department has knowledge 819
988+that a finding has been substantiated by the Department of Children and 820
989+Families pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse or neglect or of sexual 821
990+misconduct against the applicant and any information concerning such 822
991+a finding, and (C) whether the department has received notification that 823
992+the applicant has been convicted of a crime or of criminal charges 824
993+pending against the applicant and any information concerning such 825
994+charges. 826
995+Sec. 16. Subsection (m) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is 827
996+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 828
997+2024): 829
998+(m) No local or regional board of education, council, operator or 830
999+supervisory agent shall offer employment to any applicant who had any 831
1000+previous employment contract terminated by a board, council, operator 832
1001+or supervisory agent or who resigned from such employment, if such 833
1002+person has been convicted of a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, 834
1003+as amended by this act, when an allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual 835
1004+assault has been substantiated. 836 Substitute Bill No. 381
1005+
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1010+
1011+Sec. 17. Section 10-221s of the general statutes is repealed and the 837
1012+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 838
1013+(a) Each local and regional board of education shall post the 839
1014+telephone number for the Careline operated by the Department of 840
1015+Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-103a, and the Internet 841
1016+web site address that provides information about the Careline in a 842
1017+conspicuous location frequented by students in each school under the 843
1018+jurisdiction of the board. Such posting shall be in various languages that 844
1019+are the most appropriate for the students enrolled in the school. 845
1020+(b) A local or regional board of education shall permit and give 846
1021+priority to any investigation conducted by the Commissioner of 847
1022+Children and Families or the appropriate local law enforcement agency 848
1023+that a child has been abused or neglected pursuant to sections 17a-101a 849
1024+to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and section 17a-103. Such 850
1025+board of education shall conduct its own investigation and take any 851
1026+disciplinary action, in accordance with the provisions of section 17a-852
1027+101i, as amended by this act, upon notice from the commissioner or the 853
1028+appropriate local law enforcement agency that such board's 854
1029+investigation will not interfere with the investigation of the 855
1030+commissioner or such local law enforcement agency. A preliminary 856
1031+inquiry described in subsection (b) of section 17a-101a, as amended by 857
1032+this act, shall not be considered an investigation conducted by a board 858
1033+of education under this section. 859
1034+Sec. 18. (Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2024, the 860
1035+Commissioner of Children and Families shall update the educational 861
1036+training program and refresher training program for the accurate and 862
1037+prompt identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect, 863
1038+developed pursuant to subsection (c) of section 17a-101 of the general 864
1039+statutes, to include training for school employees, as defined in section 865
1040+53a-65 of the general statutes, on (1) the proper manner in which to 866
1041+conduct a preliminary inquiry described in subsection (b) of section 17a-867
1042+101a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and (2) the 868
1043+provisions of section 10-221s of the general statutes, as amended by this 869 Substitute Bill No. 381
1044+
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1049+
1050+act. 870
4171051 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
4181052 sections:
4191053
420-Section 1 July 1, 2024 17a-101a
421-Sec. 2 July 1, 2024 17a-101e
422-Sec. 3 July 1, 2024 17a-101i(d)
423-Sec. 4 July 1, 2024 17a-101o
424-Sec. 5 July 1, 2024 10-145b(i)(3)
425-Sec. 6 July 1, 2024 10-145i
426-Sec. 7 July 1, 2024 10-149a
427-Sec. 8 July 1, 2024 10-222c(a)
428-Sec. 9 July 1, 2024 10-222c(m)
429-Sec. 10 July 1, 2024 10-221s
430-Sec. 11 from passage New section
1054+Section 1 July 1, 2024 New section
1055+Sec. 2 July 1, 2024 New section
1056+Sec. 3 from passage New section
1057+Sec. 4 July 1, 2024 31-3i(a)
1058+Sec. 5 July 1, 2024 10-144d(e)
1059+Sec. 6 July 1, 2024 10-151(d)
1060+Sec. 7 July 1, 2024 10-153f
1061+Sec. 8 July 1, 2024 17a-101a
1062+Sec. 9 July 1, 2024 17a-101e
1063+Sec. 10 July 1, 2024 17a-101i(d)
1064+Sec. 11 July 1, 2024 17a-101o
1065+Sec. 12 July 1, 2024 10-145b(i)(3)
1066+Sec. 13 July 1, 2024 10-145i
1067+Sec. 14 July 1, 2024 10-149a
1068+Sec. 15 July 1, 2024 10-222c(a)
1069+Sec. 16 July 1, 2024 10-222c(m)
1070+Sec. 17 July 1, 2024 10-221s
1071+Sec. 18 from passage New section
4311072
4321073 ED Joint Favorable Subst. C/R APP
433-APP Joint Favorable Subst.
4341074