IA
Iowa Senate Bill SF2365

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF2365

Introduced
2/15/24  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to education by modifying provisions related to a process for investigating complaints against school employees and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners.(Formerly SSB 3041.)

Impact

By modifying Sections 256.9 and 256.146 of the Iowa Code, the bill mandates that if an employee is under investigation for serious misconduct, including felonies, education boards can no longer enter into agreements that hinder the disclosure of incidents. Additionally, schools must maintain records that could be pivotal for future employer inquiries regarding past employee behavior. This shift not only aims to hold school administrations accountable but also seeks to protect potential students and parents from individuals with questionable pasts. The implications of these modifications will likely bolster public confidence in the handling of educational professionals’ conduct.

Summary

Senate File 2365 addresses the process by which complaints against school employees are reported and investigated. The bill transfers the responsibility of developing and implementing this process from the Department of Education (DE) to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). The changes included in this bill aim to streamline procedures for handling allegations of felonies or misconduct related to school employees, enhancing transparency and accountability within educational institutions. The requirement for thorough vetting of employee references and history is a significant point of emphasis in this bill.

Contention

There could be contention surrounding the aspects of confidentiality and employment liability as schools are prohibited from making agreements that would conceal past performance or misconduct allegations. Critics may argue that this could discourage individuals from entering the profession or lead to potential legal disputes regarding employment practices. Proponents may assert that the bill is essential for ensuring that schools maintain a high standard of employee integrity, thus advocating for student safety and quality education.

Latest SF2365 Activity

Companion Bills

IA SSB3041

Related A bill for an act relating to education by modifying provisions related to a process for investigating complaints against school employees and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners.(See SF 2365.)

IA HSB566

Related A bill for an act relating to education by modifying provisions related to a process for investigating complaints against school employees and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners.(See HF 2151.)

IA HF2151

Similar To A bill for an act relating to education by modifying provisions related to a process for investigating complaints against school employees and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners.(Formerly HSB 566.)

Similar Bills

IA SSB3041

A bill for an act relating to education by modifying provisions related to a process for investigating complaints against school employees and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners.(See SF 2365.)

IA HSB566

A bill for an act relating to education by modifying provisions related to a process for investigating complaints against school employees and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners.(See HF 2151.)

IA HF2151

A bill for an act relating to education by modifying provisions related to a process for investigating complaints against school employees and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners.(Formerly HSB 566.)

IA HF430

A bill for an act relating to education, including requirements related to mandatory reporters, a process for investigating complaints against school employees, and the responsibilities of the department of education, school districts, charter schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and the board of educational examiners, modifying the membership of the board of educational examiners, and including applicability provisions. (Formerly HF 10.) Effective date: 07/01/2023. Applicability date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF2487

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying provisions related to mandatory reporting to the board of educational examiners of certain specified school employees, complaints against school employees and the investigation of complaints against school employees, and the responsibilities of the department of education and the board of educational examiners. (Formerly HSB 568.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA HF10

A bill for an act relating to education, including requirements related to mandatory reporters, a process for investigating complaints against licensed practitioners, and the responsibilities of the department of education, school districts, charter schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and the board of educational examiners.(See HF 430.)

IA HSB206

A bill for an act relating to education, including authorizing the ombudsman to investigate complaints received by individuals who hold a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners, modifying the responsibilities of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, and authorizing teachers employed by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, or charter schools to remove disruptive students from the classroom.(See HF 604.)

IA HF604

A bill for an act relating to education, including authorizing the ombudsman to investigate complaints received by individuals who hold a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board of educational examiners, and modifying the responsibilities of the department of education, school districts, and charter schools. (Formerly HSB 206.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.