California Republican leaders - including Senator Bob Huff who represents La Crescenta-Montrose - are introducing legislation they believe would make it easier to respond to sex offenders following allegations of abuse.
Members from Senate and Assembly Republican Caucuses are meeting Tuesday to reveal legislation "aimed at reforming the teacher dismissal process following a scandal within Los Angeles Unified School District where teachers were charged with lewd crimes against students," according to a news release.
Two former Miramonte Elementary School teachers face charges for lewd conduct after allegedly blindfolding students and spoon-feeding them semen, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), who represents La Crescenta-Montrose, along with Assembly Republican Leader Connie Conway (R-Tulare) ; Assemblyman Steve Knight (R-Palmdale); Assemblyman Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita); Senator Sam Blakeslee (R-San Luis Obispo).
"State law has hamstrung school administrators from firing teachers when misconduct crimes occur," according to a prepared statement.
Among the reforms proposed:
Eliminating Restrictions in Union Contracts - prohibits bargaining agreements from restricting the maintenance of records or use of prior evidence of allegations in new investigations.
Removing “Four Year” Rule - allows evidence of past charges be held in files longer than four years.
Ending Unnecessary Delays in Dismissal Process - eliminates notice requirements for dismissal.
Reforming the Panel Review Process - panel reviews done by an administrative law judge alone.
Conforming Disciplinary Pay - would allow districts to dismiss teachers for discplinary reasons with no pay.
Creating a Paper Trail - would require districts to transfer teachers from classrooms if there is reason to believe they are being investigated by law enforcement.
Stripping Pension from Felons - would strip benifits and pensions from teachers convicted of a felony related to their job.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education is slated to vote on a resolution urging lawmakers to adopt reforms to the teacher dismissal process.
