1999-02-10                     Senate Journal                      Page 0202
SB 61                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 61 BY THE SENATE 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 and              
Social Services and Judiciary Committees.                                      
                                                                               

1999-02-10                     Senate Journal                      Page 0203
SB 61                                                                        
Zero fiscal note published today from Department of Education.                 
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated February 8:                                 
                                                                               
Dear President Pearce:                                                         
                                                                               
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.              
                                                                               
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.                                           
                                                                               
                                                                               

1999-02-10                     Senate Journal                      Page 0204
SB 61                                                                        
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.                            
                                                                               
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