Rep. Adam Miller Applauds House Passage of School Employee Misconduct Legislation

COLUMBUS - State Rep. Adam Miller (D-Columbus) today applauded passage of House Bill (HB) 147 by the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation would expand the types of conduct and the employees who would be required to report to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. 

“Closing these loopholes protects students, parents, and school districts,” said Rep. Miller.  “An employee affected by these changes would still have all their rights under law, but other districts would have a clearer picture of the circumstances and can make the best, most informed decision on hiring that person. Right now, districts and parents are often left in the dark.”

The bill would:

• Expand coverage and accountability by adding unlicensed individuals who teach in school districts to the definition of a “license” for purposes of the laws regarding school employee misconduct.
• Require school districts, educational service centers, and chartered nonpublic schools to file a report with the Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding a licensed employee who retires during a disciplinary investigation for misconduct.
• Require school districts, educational service centers, and chartered nonpublic schools to file a report when a licensed employee is removed from the list of eligible substitute teachers because it has reasonably been determined the employee committed an act unbecoming to the teaching profession.
• Require the State Board of Education to revoke the license of an individual who is convicted of prostitution unless the individual was coerced into committing the offense.

Rep. Miller is a former teacher and school board member.

HB 147 now heads to the Senate for consideration.