An Oklahoma bill aimed at strengthening protections for students against teacher misconduct clears a major legislative hurdle.

 

The Protect Our Kids Act has been passed by the Education Oversight Committee and is now eligible to be heard on the floor of the Oklahoma House. The measure would strengthen protections for students by enhancing transparency and accountability in cases of teacher and administrator misconduct. House Bill 1075,  the Protect Our Kids Act, would amend current law to require that all recommendations for teacher and administrator dismissal be forwarded to the State Board of Education, regardless of whether the individual resigns before or after a termination recommendation is made.

 

Additionally, school boards would be mandated to notify the State Board of Education of any resignation that occurs under investigation for serious misconduct.

 

The bill, authored by Catoosa Republican Derrick Hildebrant, passed committee on a bipartisan 9-0 vote, will now advance to the full House. If passed and signed into law, the legislation would take effect on July 1, meaning ot would be implemented before the start of the next school year.