2024 House Bill 275: AN ACT relating to misconduct in schools and school-sponsored activities.

House Bill 275 relates to misconduct in schools and school-sponsored activities. The bill creates a new section of KRS Chapter 160, prohibiting public schools from entering into a nondisclosure agreement "relating to misconduct involving a minor or student." The bill also amends KRS 160.380 to define Abusive Conduct. Other amendments include requiring school district applicants to disclose being the subject of any allegations or investigations in the previous 12 months and consent to a reference check conducted by the school district. The bill requires nonpublic and public school districts to disclose any allegations or investigations related to the abusive conduct of applicants, outlines requirements for obtaining related records, and creates new application requirements. House Bill 275 requires that school districts internally report and thoroughly investigate all allegations of abusive conduct, keeping records of the investigation in an employee's personnel file unless proven false. In relation to private schools, the bill amends KRS 156.160 to encourage the board of education to include employment standards in the voluntary certification standards for private schools, and defines "certified nonpublic school." Employees of nonpublic schools must meet certain requirements including, having background checks and reference checks, while prohibiting the hiring of a violent or felony sex crime offender. These schools are also prohibited from entering a non-disclosure agreement mentioned previously.  Lastly, the bill requires that the Kentucky Department of Education develop training related to sexual misconduct for employees to undergo every five years.

KSVT supports this bill as it reinforces administrative transparency and a includes measures meant to produce safe school settings.