Georgia H.B. 1321

Georgia H.B. 1321

Inappropriate Behavior by an Educator

Provides that falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting reports of instances of inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator or other school employee toward a student must be addressed in the student code of conduct. Directs the Professional Standards Commission to establish a process for students to follow in reporting instances of such behavior. Provides for notice of the process in student handbooks and in employee handbooks or policies.

Provides that if through the state mandated process it is determined that a complaint against a teacher, administrator or other school employee is unsubstantiated, the local school system must, at the request of the aggrieved party, submit a written statement to that effect to all local print and television media outlets that published any articles or reported any news relating to such complaint against the teacher, administrator, or employee.

Directs the Professional Standards Commission to coordinate a training program on educator sexual misconduct, and requires every local superintendent to ensure that all certified staff receive such training.

Authorizes the staff of the Professional Standards Commission, without notification to the Professional Standards Commission, to immediately open an investigation submitted to the commission by a local school superintendent, with approval of the local board of education, of a complaint by a student against an educator alleging a sexual offense. Directs the Professional Standards Commission to have on staff a minimum of one investigator specifically trained in investigating educator sexual misconduct. Requires that the investigation of any complaint of sexual misconduct be completed in a maximum of 60 days.

Provides that if the Professional Standards Commission´s review of the investigative report results in a sanction against the educator, the educator must have the right to appeal the commission decision to a hearing before an administrative law judge within 90 days of the sanction.
http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/pdf/hb1321.pdf

Source:
www.legis.state.ga.us

Status: Signed into law Status Date: 05/06/2008

Georgia H.B. 1321
Inappropriate Behavior by an Educator
Provides that falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting reports of instances of inappropriate behavior by a teacher, administrator or other school employee toward a student must be addressed in the student code of conduct. Directs the Professional Standards Commission to establish a process for students to follow in reporting instances of such behavior. Provides for notice of the process in student handbooks and in employee handbooks or policies. Provides that if through the state mandated process it is determined that a complaint against a teacher, administrator or other school employee is unsubstantiated, the local school system must, at the request of the aggrieved party, submit a written statement to that effect to all local print and television media outlets that published any articles or reported any news relating to such complaint against the teacher, administrator, or employee. Directs the Professional Standards Commission to coordinate a training program on educator sexual misconduct, and requires every local superintendent to ensure that all certified staff receive such training. Authorizes the staff of the Professional Standards Commission, without notification to the Professional Standards Commission, to immediately open an investigation submitted to the commission by a local school superintendent, with approval of the local board of education, of a complaint by a student against an educator alleging a sexual offense. Directs the Professional Standards Commission to have on staff a minimum of one investigator specifically trained in investigating educator sexual misconduct. Requires that the investigation of any complaint of sexual misconduct be completed in a maximum of 60 days. Provides that if the Professional Standards Commission´s review of the investigative report results in a sanction against the educator, the educator must have the right to appeal the commission decision to a hearing before an administrative law judge within 90 days of the sanction. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/pdf/hb1321.pdf
Source: www.legis.state.ga.us
Status: Signed into law	Status Date: 05/06/2008