Signed by Governor Janet Mills

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends school investigation laws and regulations.

Highlights:

• Requires a school entity to notify the department immediately if a credential holder who is the subject of a covered investigation leaves the school entity’s employment for any reason prior to the conclusion of the covered investigation (Sec. 1). 

• Requires a school entity to notify the department immediately if a credential holder is disciplined, suspended or terminated as a result of a covered investigation in which the school entity determined that a student’s health, safety, or welfare was endangered (Sec. 1).

• Requires the school entity to provide the department with any final report produced in support of the school entity’s decision to discipline, suspend or terminate the credential holder (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the credential holder who is the subject of the report to submit a written rebuttal of the report to the department (Sec. 1).

• Defines “school entity” as an approved private school, school administrative unity, public charter school, school management and leadership center, school in the unorganized territory or school operated by the state (Sec. 1). 

• Defines “covered investigation” as an investigation by a school entry into the conduct of a holder of a credential that a school entity has a reasonable expectation would affect the credential holder’s employment or contracted service because the alleged conduct involves alcohol, illegal drugs, physical abuse, emotional abuse, inappropriate contact between a credential holder and a student, stalking, or similar behavior that endangers the health, safety or welfare of a student (Sec. 1). 

Full Bill Text