LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A bill related to teacher misconduct in the classroom has gained bi-partisan support and is making its way through Frankfort.
House Bill 275, introduced by Rep. James Tipton (R-Taylorsville), would prevent schools and educators from potentially covering up accusations of sexual abuse or misconduct.
The bill addresses reporting abuse, training, background checks, and prevent schools from entering nondisclosure agreements related to misconduct.
Earlier this session, University of Kentucky student, Kotomi Yokokura described her experience with being sexually groomed by her former high school teacher.
"Knowing every time I closed my eyes I would be brought back to the back seat of a car with a teacher that had just taken my clothes off," Yokokura said. "It wasn't until I started talking with my college friends that understood the gravity of my experience."
It is stories like hers lawmakers hope to prevent.
Part of the proposed bill would also require, by law, an educator applying for a new job, to disclose any allegations, investigation, or disciplinary action it has been the subject of in the last twelve months. The educator would also have to report any action resulting in resignation or termination related to abusive conduct while employed with a school.
"This is an ethical commitment that teachers make to boys and girls that, we’re going to teach you reading, writing and arithmetic, but we’re going to keep you safe," said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates.
Brooks said it is difficult to know how widespread the problem is, given that some abuse allegations may be unknown due to nondisclosure agreements, but said if it has impacted one Kentucky child, it is one too many.
"We're just trying to streamline this process to try and make sure these bad actors don't have an opportunity to get into our school systems," said Rep. Tipton.
In addition, the bill would set standards for more frequent background checks.
It would also require Kentucky Department of Education to create training videos detailing what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior and communication with students. As well as what is considered sexual grooming and sexual misconduct.
"We should guarantee every kid in every school district is protected to the max against abuse and neglect," Brooks said.
Tipton filed a similar bill during last year's legislative session, but it did not make it to Governor Andy Beshear's desk in time to become law.
Jefferson County Teachers Association said it is "neutral" on HB 275.
JCTA's president Maddie Shepherd said in a statement:
"Our number one focus on this bill is student safety. There have been improvements since this was filed last year, and we’re thankful to the sponsor on making improvements. We have a position of 'neutral' on the bill because we’re working on revising the language that requires a teacher to report all allegations from a certain time period, even if the allegation has been investigated and the teacher cleared. We do not believe that a teacher should have to report allegations that have already been ruled unsubstantiated, and will continue working with the sponsor to prioritize both student safety and the rights of the employee."
This bill passed unanimously by Kentucky House of Representatives on Thursday. It has now moved on to the Senate.
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