SF 366 (LSB 2381XS (2) 91)

SENATE FILE 366

BY  EVANS

A BILL FOR

An Act requiring school employees to be put on administrative leave in certain specified circumstances.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256E.7, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  0t.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.36 relating to placing certain specified employees on administrative leave in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 2.  Section 256F.4, subsection 2, Code 2025, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  r.  Be subject to and comply with the requirements of section 280.36 relating to placing certain specified employees on administrative leave in the same manner as a school district.
    Sec. 3.  NEW SECTION.  280.36  Administrative leave.
   1.  The board of directors of each school district and the authorities in charge of each accredited nonpublic school shall immediately place an employee on administrative leave if any of the following apply:
   a.  The employee has a case pending before the board of educational examiners related to the abuse of a child with a finding of probable cause.
   b.  While employed by the school district or accredited nonpublic school, the employee was involved in any criminal or civil action in which a court found that the employee was negligent, and the school district or accredited nonpublic school is investigating the employee’s actions.
   2.  An employee placed on administrative leave pursuant to subsection 1 must remain on administrative leave until the case before the board of educational examiners or the school district’s or accredited nonpublic school’s investigation is complete.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to immediately place an employee on administrative leave if the employee has a case pending before the board of educational examiners (BOEE) related to the abuse of a child with a finding of probable cause, or if, while employed by the school, the employee was involved in any criminal or civil action in which a court found that the employee was negligent and the school is investigating the employee’s actions. An employee placed on administrative leave pursuant to the bill’s provisions must remain on administrative leave until the case before the BOEE or the school’s investigation is complete.