Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House advances ethics-training requirement for educators after amendment
Summary
Lawmakers uncircled and amended HB 367 to require educators to receive one hour of ethics training within a year of hire and two hours every five years; language requiring volunteer training was removed via amendment and the bill passed the House 52-16.
Representative Briscoe moved to uncircle House Bill 367 and introduced the bill as responding to prior findings that professional conduct training is inconsistent across districts. Briscoe said the bill "requires employees of school districts within 1 year of hire to receive an hour's worth of training and education ethics" and that teachers would receive two hours every five years.
Representative Cutler asked whether this is a function the Legislature should perform or whether the State Board of Education should set the requirement. Briscoe replied that a five-year review and the support of associations motivated the legislative approach and noted support from education associations and the school superintendents group.
Representative Paulson moved an amendment (Amendment 1 under Representative Briscoe's name) that removed volunteers from the training mandate and clarified language; Briscoe and others supported the amendment, citing practical concerns about requiring districts to train thousands of volunteers. The amendment was adopted by voice vote.
Briscoe closed by describing his long teaching experience and urging support. The clerk announced HB 367 "having received 52 yes votes, 16 no votes passes this body and will be transmitted to the senate for its consideration."
