SB 5533-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

Finds that additional safeguards are necessary in the hiring of school district employees to ensure the safety of Washington's school children. In order to provide the safest educational environment for children, school districts must provide known information regarding employees' sexual misconduct when those employees attempt to transfer to different school districts.

Provides that, before hiring an applicant, a school district shall request the applicant to sign a statement authorizing the applicant's current employer, or, if the applicant is not currently employed by a school district, the applicant's immediately previous employer, to disclose to the hiring school district sexual misconduct, if any, by the applicant and making available to the hiring school district copies of all documents in the applicant's personnel record maintained by that employer relating to that sexual misconduct.

Provides that, by September 1, 2003, the state board of education has the authority to and shall adopt rules defining "sexual misconduct" as used in this act for application to all classified and certificated employees. The definition of sexual misconduct adopted by the state board of education must include the requirement that the school district has made a determination that there is sufficient information to conclude that the misconduct occurred and that the misconduct resulted in the employee's leaving his or her position at the school district.