Louisiana Senate Bill SR256

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/4/19
• Passed: 6/5/19

Caption

Requests the state Department of Education to study the feasibility of collecting and reporting certain information related to school employees.

Impact

If established, this database would collect detailed records relating to the discipline of school personnel, which would then inform the process of issuing and revoking teaching certificates. The resolution proposes to draw from the model of the Louisiana Uniform Law Enforcement Statewide Reporting Database, which aims to prevent problematic individuals from moving undetected between positions in different institutions. Ultimately, the implementation of this database would signify a proactive step towards safeguarding students by reinforcing accountability among school employees.

Summary

Senate Resolution 256 calls upon the Louisiana Department of Education to explore the feasibility of creating a statewide database aimed at tracking disciplinary actions against school personnel. The intent behind this resolution is to enhance the safety of students by ensuring that any misconduct by teachers or school staff members is documented and appropriately addressed in the hiring process. In light of past incidents where teachers accused of endangering students were allowed to resign without disclosure, this initiative seeks to prevent similar situations from recurring by enhancing oversight of hiring practices in schools.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SR256 appears to be largely positive, with support rooted in the desire to protect vulnerable students. Educators, child advocacy groups, and parents may view the proposed database as a necessary tool for ensuring that schools are safe environments. While there may be concerns about the privacy of personnel records, the overarching sentiment favors increased accountability and transparency in school hiring practices, reflecting a commitment to student safety and welfare.

Contention

Notably, SR256 does not seem to face significant contention based on the information available. However, potential points of disagreement could arise relating to implementation details, such as data privacy issues and the administrative burden on schools to report misconduct accurately. It is also crucial to ensure that the system does not inadvertently penalize individuals who have been subjected to false allegations, thereby balancing accountability with fairness.