HSB 568

This bill relates to mandatory reporting to the board of educational examiners of licensed school employees who engage in grooming behavior toward students of the abuse of students. _____ district or area education agency, the superintendent of a school district, the chief administrator of an area education agency, and the authorities in charge of an accredited nonpublic school, to report to the board of educational examiners any instance of disciplinary action taken against a licensed school employee for conduct constituting soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student. The bill adds that such a report is also required to be made for conduct that constitutes grooming behavior toward a student or for conduct that constitutes abusing a student. The bill defines “grooming behavior” as engaging in a pattern of flirtatious behavior, making any effort to gain unreasonable access to, or time alone with any student with no discernible educational purpose, engaging in any behavior that can reasonably be construed as involving an inappropriate, overly personal, or intimate relationship with or conduct toward or focus on a student, and engaging in any other individualized, special treatment not in compliance with generally accepted educational practices.160.