House backs measure to allow revocation of teacher certificates over relationships with adult students

The House unanimously approved first substitute House Bill 287, which allows revocation of a teaching certificate when a teacher engages in a relationship with a student enrolled in the teacher’s school — including cases where the student is not a minor. The final tally recorded 74 yes votes, 0 no votes and 1 absent.

“What this bill addresses is ... there’s nothing in our state statute that prohibits a teacher from having a relationship with a student who is not a minor,” Stephen Samstrom said in presenting the substitute. The sponsor noted the substitute contains a clarification that the student must be enrolled in the school where the employee is employed.

During floor questions, members asked whether the provision would apply to adults returning to high school or other nontraditional students; the sponsor and proponents said the measure applies regardless of the student’s age when the student is enrolled in the teacher’s school, and cited existing institutional policies that already prohibit such relationships at colleges and other settings.

Proponents described the bill as a policy to protect the integrity of the learning environment and to provide a statutory enforcement mechanism (revocation of certificate) beyond local personnel action. The bill passed and will be sent to the Senate for further consideration.