HF 2935

as introduced - 88th Legislature (2013 - 2014) Posted on 03/10/2014 01:21pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; modifying certain teacher background check requirements;
amending Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.03, subdivision 1a.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2012, section 123B.03, subdivision 1a, is amended to
read:

Subd. 1a.

Investigation of disciplinary actions taken against prospective
teachers.

(a) At the time a school board or other hiring authority conducts the criminal
history background check required under subdivision 1 on an individual offered
employment as a teacher, the school board or other hiring authority must contact (1) the
Board of Teaching to determine whether the board has taken disciplinary action against the
teacher or has received reports under section 122A.20, subdivision 2, regarding the teacher
and (2) the Department of Education to determine whether any reports of maltreatment of
a child have been filed against the teacher under section 626.556, subdivision 11. The
Board of Teaching and the Department of Education must respond within two business
days to the school board or hiring authority's request. The school board or other hiring
authority must obtain access to data that are public under section 13.41, subdivision 5,
from the Board of Teaching and the Department of Education that relate to the substance
of the disciplinary action. In addition, or report of maltreatment. If the Board of Teaching
or the Department of Education has relevant public data, it must transmit that data to the
school board or hiring authority within five business days.

(b) The school board or other hiring authority must require the individual to provide
information in the employment application regarding all current and previous disciplinary
actions in Minnesota and other states taken against the individual, including against the
individual's teaching license and indicate to the applicant that intentionally submitting
false or incomplete information is a ground for dismissal.

(b) (c) For purposes of this subdivision, "disciplinary action" does not include an
action based on court-ordered child support or maintenance payment arrearages under
section 214.101 or delinquent state taxes under section 270C.72.