Introduced Version






SENATE BILL No. 207

_____


DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL



Citations Affected: IC 5-2-5-15 ; IC 20-5-2-7 ; IC 20-6.1; IC 31-33-5 ; IC 34-30-2-84.5 ; IC 35-42-4-7 .

Synopsis: School employees and children. Enables school corporations to obtain limited and national criminal history checks for all employees rather than only for new employees. Makes conforming changes in the policies that schools may adopt concerning criminal history checks. Enables the professional standards board to suspend a teacher's license for certain noncriminal behaviors. Requires certain officials to report when a teacher is arrested for or convicted of a crime or is dismissed or resigns because of certain behaviors. Provides civil immunity for making these reports. Provides uniformity in the grounds for which licenses may be revoked and the contracts of permanent and semipermanent teachers may be canceled concerning sexual misconduct with a minor. Enables teachers charged with certain crimes to be suspended without salary. Requires certain persons to report to authorities when they believe that a child is the victim of certain crimes. Changes the law concerning seduction of a child at least 16 years of age to add behaviors that constitute the offense and to expand coverage to all employees of a child's school.

Effective: July 1, 2002.





Clark, Lubbers




    January 7, 2002, read first time and referred to Committee on Corrections, Criminal and Civil Procedures.







Introduced

Second Regular Session 112th General Assembly (2002)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2001 General Assembly.

SENATE BILL No. 207



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. IC 5-2-5-15 , AS ADDED BY P.L.272-2001, SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 15. (a) The department is designated as the authorized agency to receive requests for, process, and disseminate the results of national criminal history background checks that comply with this section and 42 U.S.C. 5119a.
    (b) A qualified entity may contact the department to request a national criminal history background check on any of the following persons:
        (1) A person who seeks to be or is employed with the qualified entity. Unless the qualified entity is a school corporation making a request under IC 20-5-2-7 , a request under this subdivision must be made not later than three (3) months after the person is initially employed by the qualified entity.
        (2) A person who seeks to volunteer or is a volunteer with the qualified entity. A request under this subdivision must be made not later than three (3) months after the person initially volunteers

with the qualified entity.
    (c) A qualified entity must submit a request under subsection (b) in the form required by the department and provide a set of the person's fingerprints and any required fees with the request.
    (d) If a qualified entity makes a request in conformity with subsection (b), the department shall submit the set of fingerprints provided with the request to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history background check for convictions described in IC 20-5-2-8. The department shall respond to the request in conformity with:
        (1) the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 5119a; and
        (2) the regulations prescribed by the United States attorney general under 42 U.S.C. 5119a.
    (e) This subsection applies to a qualified entity that:
        (1) is not a school corporation or a special education cooperative; or
        (2) is a school corporation or a special education cooperative and seeks a national criminal history background check for a volunteer.
After receiving the results of a national criminal history background check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the department shall make a determination whether the applicant has been convicted of an offense described in IC 20-5-2-8 and convey the determination to the requesting qualified entity.
    (f) This subsection applies to a qualified entity that:
        (1) is a school corporation or a special education cooperative; and
        (2) seeks a national criminal history background check for the purposes determining whether to employ or continue the employment of a certificated employee or a noncertificated employee of a school corporation or an equivalent position with a special education cooperative.
After receiving the results of a national criminal history background check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the department may exchange identification records concerning convictions for offenses described in IC 20-5-2-8 with the school corporation or special education cooperative solely for purposes of making an employment determination. The exchange may be made only for the official use of the officials with authority to make the employment determination. The exchange is subject to the restrictions on dissemination imposed under P.L.92-544, (86 Stat. 1115) (1972).
    SECTION 2. IC 20-5-2-7 , AS AMENDED BY P.L.272-2001, SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE

JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 7. (a) A school corporation, including a school township, shall adopt a policy concerning criminal history information for individuals who:
        (1) apply are noncertificated or certificated employees of the school corporation;
         (2) are applicants for:
            (A) noncertificated or certificated employment with the school corporation; or
            (B) employment with an entity with which the school corporation contracts for services;
        (2) (3) seek to enter into a contract to provide services to the school corporation; or
        (3) (4) are employed by an entity that seeks to enter into a contract to provide services to the school corporation;
if the individuals are likely to have direct, ongoing contact with children within the scope of the individuals' employment.
    (b) A school corporation, including a school township, shall administer a policy adopted under this section uniformly for all individuals to whom the policy applies. A policy adopted under this section may require any of the following:
        (1) The school corporation, including a school township, may request limited criminal history information concerning each applicant or individual who is hired for noncertificated employment or certificated employment from a local or state law enforcement agency. before or not later than three (3) months after the applicant's employment by the school corporation.
        (2) Each individual hired for noncertificated employment or certificated employment may be required to provide a written consent for the school corporation to request under IC 5-2-5 :
             (A) limited criminal history information; or
             (B) a national criminal history background check;
        concerning the individual. before or not later than three (3) months after the individual's employment by the school corporation. The school corporation may require the individual to provide a set of fingerprints and pay any fees required for a national criminal history background check.
        (3) Each individual hired for noncertificated employment may be required at the time the individual is hired to submit a certified copy of the individual's limited criminal history (as defined in IC 5-2-5-1 (1)) to the school corporation.
        (4) Each individual hired for noncertificated employment may be required at the time the individual is hired to:


            (A) submit a request to the Indiana central repository for limited criminal history information under IC 5-2-5 ;
            (B) obtain a copy of the individual's limited criminal history; and
            (C) submit to the school corporation the individual's limited criminal history and a document verifying a disposition (as defined in IC 5-2-5-1 (6)) that does not appear on the limited criminal history.
        (5) Each applicant or individual who is hired for noncertificated employment or certificated employment may be required at the time the individual applies to answer questions concerning the individual's limited criminal history. The failure of an employee to answer honestly questions asked under this subdivision is grounds for termination of the employee's employment.
        (6) Each individual that:
            (A) seeks to enter into a contract to provide services to a school corporation; or
            (B) is employed by an entity that seeks to enter into a contract with a school corporation;
        may be required at the time the contract is formed to comply with the procedures described in subdivision (4)(A) and (4)(B). The school corporation either may require that the individual or the contractor comply with the procedures described in subdivision (4)(C) or (5). Failure to comply with subdivisions (4) and (5), as required by the school corporation, is grounds for termination of the contract.
    (c) If an individual is required to obtain a limited criminal history under this section, the individual is responsible for all costs associated with obtaining the limited criminal history.
    (d) Information obtained under this section must be used in accordance with IC 5-2-5-6 or IC 5-2-5-15.
    SECTION 3. IC 20-6.1-3-7 , AS AMENDED BY P.L.37-2000, SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 7. (a) On the written recommendation of the state superintendent, the board may revoke or suspend a license for:
        (1) immorality;
        (2) misconduct in office;
        (3) incompetency; or
        (4) willful neglect of duty.
However, for each revocation or suspension, the board shall comply with IC 4-21.5-3.
    (b) This subsection applies when a law enforcement agency

knows that a licensed employee of a school corporation or an accredited nonpublic school has been arrested for a felony or a misdemeanor. The chief executive officer or equivalent authority of the law enforcement agency shall immediately give notice of the arrest to the superintendent of the school corporation or equivalent authority for the accredited nonpublic school that employs the person who was arrested.
     (c) This subsection applies when a prosecuting attorney knows that a licensed employee of a school corporation or an accredited nonpublic school has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor. The prosecuting attorney shall immediately give notice of the conviction to the superintendent of the school corporation or equivalent authority for the accredited nonpublic school that employs the person who was convicted.
     (d) The superintendent of a school corporation or equivalent authority for an accredited nonpublic school shall immediately notify the state superintendent when the person knows that a current or former licensed employee of the school corporation or accredited nonpublic school has:
         (1) been arrested or convicted of an offense listed in subsection (c). a felony or a misdemeanor;
        (2) been discharged from employment for any of the reasons listed in subsection (a); or
        (3) resigned to avoid discharge from employment for any of the reasons listed in subsection (a).

    (c) (e) The board, after holding a hearing on the matter, shall permanently revoke the license of a person who is known by the board to have been convicted of any of the following offenses:
        (1) Rape (IC 35-42-4-1), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
        (2) Criminal deviate conduct (IC 35-42-4-2), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
        (3) Child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3).
        (4) Child exploitation (IC 35-42-4-4(b)).
        (5) Vicarious sexual gratification (IC 35-42-4-5).
        (6) Child solicitation (IC 35-42-4-6).
        (7) Child seduction (IC 35-42-4-7).
        (8) Sexual misconduct with a minor (IC 35-42-4-9).
        (9) Incest (IC 35-46-1-3), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
    (d) (f) A license may be suspended by the state superintendent as specified in IC 20-6.1-4-13.


     (g) A person who makes a report required under this section is immune from civil liability for the report and the consequences proximately caused by the report, unless it is proven by a preponderance of the evidence that the information reported was known by the reporter to be false at the time the report was made.
    SECTION 4. IC 20-6.1-4-10 , AS AMENDED BY P.L.228-2001, SECTION 4, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 10. (a) An indefinite contract with a permanent teacher may be canceled in the manner specified in section 11 of this chapter for only for one (1) of the following grounds:
        (1) Immorality.
        (2) Insubordination, which means a willful refusal to obey the state school laws or reasonable rules prescribed for the government of the school corporation.
        (3) Neglect of duty.
        (4) Incompetency.
        (5) Justifiable decrease in the number of teaching positions.
        (6) A conviction for one (1) of the following:
            (A) Rape (IC 35-42-4-1), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
            (B) Criminal deviate conduct (IC 35-42-4-2), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
            (C) Child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3).
            (D) Child exploitation (IC 35-42-4-4(b)).
            (E) Vicarious sexual gratification (IC 35-42-4-5).
            (F) Child solicitation (IC 35-42-4-6).
            (G) Child seduction (IC 35-42-4-7).
            (H) Sexual misconduct with a minor as a Class A or B felony (IC 35-42-4-9). or
            (I) Incest (IC 35-46-1-3), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age. or
        (7) Other good and just cause.
When the cause of cancellation is ground (1), (2), or (6), the cancellation is effective immediately. When the cause of cancellation is ground (3), (4), (5), or (7), the cancellation is effective at the end of the school term following the cancellation.
    (b) An indefinite contract may not be canceled for political or personal reasons.
    SECTION 5. IC 20-6.1-4-10.5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 10.5. (a) An indefinite contract with a semipermanent teacher may be canceled in the manner specified in section 11 of this chapter only for one (1) of the following

grounds:
        (1) Immorality.
        (2) Insubordination, which means a willful refusal to obey the state school laws or reasonable rules prescribed for the government of the school corporation.
        (3) Neglect of duty.
        (4) Substantial inability to perform teaching duties.
        (5) Justifiable decrease in the number of teaching positions.
        (6) Good and just cause.
        (7) The cancellation is in the best interest of the school corporation.
        (8) A conviction for one (1) of the following:
            (A) Rape (IC 35-42-4-1), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
            (B) Criminal deviate conduct (IC 35-42-4-2), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
            (C) Child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3).
            (D) Child exploitation (IC 35-42-4-4(b)).
            (E) Vicarious sexual gratification (IC 35-42-4-5).
            (F) Child solicitation (IC 35-42-4-6).
            (G) Child seduction (IC 35-42-4-7). or
            (H) Sexual misconduct with a minor (IC 35-42-4-9).
             (I) Incest (IC 35-46-1-3), if the victim is less than eighteen (18) years of age.
    (b) An indefinite contract with a semipermanent teacher may not be canceled for political or personal reasons.
    (c) Before the cancellation of a semipermanent teacher's indefinite contract, the principal of the school at which the teacher teaches shall provide the teacher with a written evaluation of the teacher's performance before January 1 of each year. Upon the request of a semipermanent teacher, delivered in writing to the principal within thirty (30) days after the teacher receives the evaluation required by this section, the principal shall provide the teacher with an additional written evaluation.
    SECTION 6. IC 20-6.1-4-11 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 11. (a) An indefinite contract with a permanent or semi-permanent teacher may be canceled only in the following manner:
        (1) The teacher shall be notified in writing of the date, time, and place for the consideration by the school corporation of the cancellation of the contract; this notification must occur not more than forty (40) days nor less than thirty (30) days before the

consideration.
        (2) The teacher shall be furnished, within five (5) days after a written request, a written statement of the reasons for the consideration.
        (3) The teacher may file a written request for a hearing within fifteen (15) days after receipt of the notice of this consideration.
        (4) When the request for a hearing is filed, the teacher shall be given a hearing before the governing body on a day no earlier than five (5) days after filing;
        (5) The teacher shall be given not less than five (5) days notice of the time and place of the hearing.
        (6) At the hearing, the teacher is entitled:
            (A) to a full statement of the reasons for the proposed cancellation of the contract; and
            (B) to be heard, to present the testimony of witnesses and other evidence bearing on the reasons for the proposed cancellation of the contract.
        (7) A contract may not be canceled until:
            (A) the date set for consideration of the cancellation of the contract;
            (B) after a hearing is held, if a hearing is requested by the teacher; and
            (C) the superintendent has given his the superintendent's recommendations on the contract; on five (5) days written notice to him the superintendent by the governing body of the school corporation, the superintendent shall present his the superintendent's recommendation on each contract, except on a superintendent's contract.
        (8) Pending a decision on the cancellation of a teacher's contract, the teacher may be suspended from duty. and
        (9) After complying with section 10 of this chapter in the case of permanent teachers, or section 10.5 of this chapter in the case of semi-permanent teachers, and this section, the governing body of the school corporation may cancel an indefinite contract with a teacher by a majority vote evidenced by a signed statement in the minutes of the board; the decision of the governing board is final.
The vote to cancel a contract described in subdivision (9) must be taken by the governing body on the date and at the time and place specified in subdivision (1).
    (b) If a permanent or semi-permanent teacher is suspended under subsection (a)(8) and except as provided in IC 20-6.1-5-11 , the governing body may not (while the teacher is suspended) withhold

from the teacher salary payments or other employment related benefits that before the suspension the teacher was entitled to receive.
    (c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), a permanent or semipermanent teacher may be suspended under subsection (a)(8) without salary payments if the teacher is charged with an offense listed in section 10(6) or 10.5(8) of this chapter. If a teacher who is suspended without salary payments returns to work, the governing body shall restore to the teacher all salary that was withheld during the period of suspension.
     (d) The governing body may appoint an agent (who is not an employee of the school corporation, but who may be a member of the governing body or an attorney retained to administer the hearing proceedings under this section) for the purpose of issuing subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses for either party at the hearing. A subpoena issued under this section shall be:
        (1) served by the party who seeks to compel the attendance of a witness; and
        (2) upon application to the court by the party, enforced in the manner provided by law for the service and enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action.
    SECTION 7. IC 31-33-5-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 1. In addition to any other duty to report arising under this article, an individual who has reason to believe that a child is a victim of child abuse or neglect any of the following shall make a report as required by this article:
         (1) Child abuse or neglect.
        (2) Rape (IC 35-42-4-1).
        (3) Criminal deviate conduct (IC 35-42-4-2).
        (4) Child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3).
        (5) Child exploitation (IC 35-42-4-4(b)).
        (6) Child pornography (IC 35-42-4-4(c)).
        (7) Child seduction (IC 35-42-4-7).
        (8) Sexual misconduct with a minor (IC 35-42-4-9).
        (9) Public indecency (IC 35-45-4-1).
        (10) Prostitution (IC 35-45-4-2).
        (11) Incest (IC 35-46-1-3).

    SECTION 8. IC 31-33-5-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 4. A person who has a duty under this chapter to make a report that a child may be a victim of child abuse or neglect for a matter listed in section 1 of this chapter shall immediately make an oral report to:
        (1) the local child protection service; or


        (2) the local law enforcement agency.
    SECTION 9. IC 34-30-2-84.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 84.5. IC 20-6.1-3-7 (Concerning a person who makes a report concerning a teacher).
    SECTION 10. IC 35-42-4-7 , AS AMENDED BY P.L.228-2001, SECTION 5, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2002]: Sec. 7. (a) As used in this section, "adoptive parent" has the meaning set forth in IC 31-9-2-6.
    (b) As used in this section, "adoptive grandparent" means the parent of an adoptive parent.
    (c) As used in this section, "child care worker" means a person who:
         (1) provides care, supervision, or instruction to a child within the scope of the person's employment in a public or private school or shelter care facility; or
        (2) is employed by a:
            (A) school corporation; or
            (B) nonpublic school;
        attended by a child who is the victim of a crime under this chapter.
    (d) As used in this section, "custodian" means any person who resides with a child and is responsible for the child's welfare.
    (e) As used in this section, "nonpublic school" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-10.1-1-3.
     (f) As used in this section, "school corporation" has the meaning set forth in IC 20-10.1-1-1.
     (g) As used in this section, "stepparent" means an individual who is married to a child's custodial or noncustodial parent and is not the child's adoptive parent.
    (f) (h) If a person who is:
        (1) at least eighteen (18) years of age; and
        (2) the:
            (A) guardian, adoptive parent, adoptive grandparent, custodian, or stepparent of; or
            (B) child care worker for;
        a child at least sixteen (16) years of age but less than eighteen (18) years of age;
engages with the child in sexual intercourse, or deviate sexual conduct (as defined in IC 35-41-1-9 ), with the child, or any fondling or touching with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the adult, the person commits child seduction, a Class D felony.