AN ACT relating to the Education Professional Standards Board.
     Amend KRS 160.380 to require a national as well as a state criminal history check on all certified employees; require a state criminal history check on all classified and certified personnel employed in local school districts; amend KRS 161.027 to define assessment standards generically; permit a principal applicant who has not completed the internship to have a one-time renewal of the applicant's certificate of eligibility upon completion of a minimum of six (6) graduate hours; amend KRS 161.028 to identify methods of discipline, including probation and written reprimands that may be used by the Education Professional Standards Board; delete outdated information; require that the Education Professional Standards Board advise the commissioner of education on budgetary matters; permit the Education Professional Standards Board to waive a requirement of an administrative regulation promulgated by the board when sufficient need is documented; amend KRS 161.030 to make technical corrections; clarify that certificates shall be issued upon written application and in accordance with statutes and regulations in effect at the time of the application; require that certification of all new teachers and teachers seeking additional certification shall require the successful completion of appropriate assessments; delete the requirement that the president of the teacher training institute appoint the teacher evaluator on a beginning teacher committee; prioritize persons to serve as resource teachers in the following order: teachers with the same certification in the same school, teachers with the same certification in the same district, teachers in the same school, teacher in the same district, and teachers in an adjacent school district; amend KRS 161.120 to include additional disciplinary measures that can be taken by the Education Professional Standards Board including written reprimands and probation against superintendents, principals, teachers, substitute teachers, interns, supervisors, directors of pupil personnel and other administrative, supervisory, or instructional employees; describe actions that warrant disciplinary actions including: being convicted of a felony, misdemeanor under KRS Chapters 508 through 510, 522, 525, 529 through 531; a misdemeanor involving a student or minor; having sexual contact as defined in KRS 510.010(7); committing any act which constitutes fraudulent, corrupt, dishonest, or immoral conduct; demonstrating willful or careless disregard for the health and welfare of others; physical or mental incapacity; possessing, using or being under the influence of alcohol or drugs; incompetency or neglect of duty; making false or misleading statements or concealing facts in obtaining or renewing a certificate; failing to comply with an order of the Education Professional Standards Board; violating any state statute or administrative regulation relating to schools or the teaching profession; or receiving disciplinary action or having the issuance of a certificate denied or restricted by another jurisdiction; clarify reporting requirements for the superintendent; provide for a hearing by the board; make technical changes to conform; and repeal KRS 161.040 relating to professional and personal character and fitness.

     Feb 24-introduced in House
     Feb 25-to Education (H)
     Mar 2-posted in committee
     Mar 4-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with Committee Substitute
     Mar 5-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 9-recommitted to Appropriations and Revenue (H)
     Mar 10-to House Floor; posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for March 11, 1998
     Mar 12-3rd reading, passed 93-1 with Committee Substitute
     Mar 13-received in Senate
     Mar 16-to Education (S)
     Mar 19-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar
     Mar 20-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 23-posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for March 25, 1998
     Mar 25-3rd reading, passed 37-0
     Mar 26-received in House; enrolled, signed by each presiding officer
     Mar 27-delivered to Governor
     Apr 7-signed by Governor