Bill > H1374

This bill, known as the Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation (S.E.S.A.M.E.) Act, aims to enhance the safety of children in educational settings by strengthening the hiring process for individuals who will have direct contact with them. It defines key terms like "abuse" and "sexual misconduct" to clarify what constitutes harmful behavior towards children or students, regardless of their age. The Act mandates that before offering employment to an applicant in a position involving direct contact with children, school entities and independent contractors must require the applicant to provide a comprehensive list of past employers, including those where they had contact with children, and a written authorization for the release of employment and disciplinary records related to abuse or sexual misconduct allegations. Furthermore, employers must actively verify this information by contacting former employers and checking the applicant's certification status. The bill also addresses situations involving substitute employees and employees of independent contractors, outlining specific requirements for employment history reviews. Importantly, it prohibits agreements that suppress information about abuse or sexual misconduct investigations and ensures that employers are immune from liability for disclosing such information unless it is knowingly false, while also imposing penalties for willful violations of the Act.