Bill
Bill > H1471
MA H1471
Establishing employee screening requirements in schools to prevent child sexual abuse
summary
Introduced
03/29/2021
03/29/2021
In Committee
03/29/2021
03/29/2021
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2022
12/31/2022
Introduced Session
192nd General Court
Bill Summary
Relative to screening of prospective school employees for prior investigations into child abuse or sexual misconduct. The Judiciary.
AI Summary
This bill establishes employee screening requirements in schools to prevent child sexual abuse. The key provisions are:
1. Schools must require job applicants for positions involving direct or regular contact with students to provide information about their employment history, including any past investigations or disciplinary actions related to child abuse or sexual misconduct.
2. Schools must conduct a review of the applicant's employment history by contacting their current and former employers to verify the information provided.
3. Schools may hire an applicant on a provisional basis for up to 90 days while reviewing the information received, as long as the applicant has provided all required documentation and the school administrator has no knowledge of disqualifying information.
4. The bill prohibits schools from entering into agreements that would interfere with reporting requirements related to child abuse investigations.
5. The bill provides immunity from liability for employers who provide good faith references about a current or former employee's job performance and professional conduct.
6. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is required to develop standardized forms and provide information to assist applicants and employers in complying with the new requirements.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (26)
Natalie Blais (D)*,
Christine Barber (D),
Marcos Devers (D),
Carol Doherty (D),
Mindy Domb (D),
Pat Duffy (D),
Lori Ehrlich (D),
Sean Garballey (D),
Rich Haggerty (D),
Natalie Higgins (D),
Vanna Howard (D),
Brad Jones (R),
Kay Khan (D),
John Lawn (D),
Kate Lipper-Garabedian (D),
Christina Minicucci (D),
Tram Nguyen (D),
Patrick O'Connor (R),
Jim O'Day (D),
Jake Oliveira (D),
Steve Owens (D),
Dave Rogers (D),
Lindsay Sabadosa (D),
Tom Stanley (D),
Susannah Whipps (I),
Steve Xiarhos (R),
Last Action
Accompanied a study order, see H5205 (on 09/01/2022)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
Document Type | Source Location |
---|---|
State Bill Page | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1471 |
Bill | https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1471.pdf |
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