Bill > S1983

This bill requires that if the Department of Education (DOE) determines a school district has spent public money on legal fees that are deemed "non-allowable costs" (meaning they were improper or unnecessary) and consequently reduces the school district's state aid, then the law firm that received those fees must refund the full amount of those non-allowable costs back to the school district. The bill also mandates that the DOE will maintain a list of non-compliant law firms, and school districts will be prohibited from hiring them. A "law firm" is defined broadly to include any individual or group practicing law. Furthermore, if the DOE finds non-allowable costs were incurred for the personal benefit of a superintendent, school board member, or district employee, that individual must also refund the money to the district. Penalties for non-compliance will be enforced through a summary proceeding. This bill's provisions are retroactive to July 1, 2004.