Legislature(1999 - 2000)
1999-02-10 House Journal
Full Journal pdf1999-02-10 House Journal Page 0186 HB 85 HOUSE BILL NO. 85 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: "An Act relating to licensure and professional discipline of members of the teaching profession and providing for related penalties; relating to grounds for dismissal of a teacher; relating to the Professional Teaching Practices Commission; relating to limited immunity for procedures under the Educator Ethics Act; making conforming amendments; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the Health, Education & Social Services, Judiciary and Finance Committees. The following fiscal note applies: Zero fiscal note, Dept. of Education, 2/10/99 The Governor's transmittal letter dated February 8, 1999, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: Quality education for all Alaska children remains a focus and ongoing effort of my Administration. This bill I transmit today enhances the state's ability to protect students and the integrity of educators by strengthening, streamlining and consolidating licensure and discipline provisions for members of the teaching profession. 1999-02-10 House Journal Page 0187 HB 85 The bill incorporates the direction from the Board of Education to change a teacher "certificate" to a "license." The name of the "Professional Teaching Practices Commission" would be changed to "Educator Ethics Commission," to shorten the name and more accurately reflect the commission's functions. Among the bill's numerous provisions are new sections governing applications and denial of applications for teaching licenses. The current regulatory provision requiring criminal history background checks for applicants would be strengthened and placed in statute. The bill would also compile, for the first time, the grounds for denial of an application or for putting conditions on a teaching license. The bill expands the range of available disciplinary sanctions beyond suspension or license revocation, tracking powers currently available to occupational licensing boards, such as being able to summarily suspend a license if the educator poses a clear and immediate danger. The commission also would gain the authority to impose a civil fine against a person who is regulated by state law, but is not required to hold a license. The bill contains provisions that would preclude a person whose license is suspended or revoked from employment as a member of the teaching profession, even if the position does not require a license. The bill also would streamline current law by consolidating regulatory and statutory grounds for discipline into one statutory provision; allowing reciprocal discipline of an educator who was disciplined in another jurisdiction; and clarifying the procedure for revoking the license of a person convicted of certain sex crimes. In addition, the bill adds misrepresentation of a material fact on an employment application as a ground for discipline. In rewriting the procedures and requirements for reinstatement of a suspended or revoked license, the bill would expand from one year to five years the waiting period for reinstatement. 1999-02-10 House Journal Page 0188 HB 85 Finally, the bill contains new provisions to protect the confidentiality of minors and of investigatory files, and provides immunity from liability for persons who participate in good faith in certain investigations and proceedings of the commission or the Department of Education. This bill represents a thorough effort on the part of the Department of Education and Professional Teaching Practices Commission to ensure Alaska educators are of high quality and integrity. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor"