School officials must report alleged student-safety misconduct promptly

A principal, supervisor, or administrator must report alleged employee conduct that could endanger students or affect their learning environment to the county superintendent. The rule covers employee conduct alleged to jeopardize student health, safety, or welfare or to affect other students' learning environment. The report must be made within 24 hours after the allegation. This rule does not replace the separate mandatory-reporting rules for child abuse and neglect. The report is due within 24 hours of the allegation.

County superintendents must report certain employee actions during a misconduct investigation to the state superintendent, and investigations must continue after a transfer or resignation. The rules cover employees suspended, dismissed, transferred, or resigned during an investigation involving alleged conduct that could endanger students or affect their learning environment. The county superintendent's report must include the investigation's reason or the reason for the suspension or dismissal. The state superintendent must keep a confidential database of people investigated, suspended, or dismissed for the covered conduct. Only county human resource directors, county superintendents, and the state superintendent may access the database. A nonpublic school may choose to provide information for the database. The county superintendent must report within seven business days after the employee's suspension, dismissal, transfer, or resignation. The investigation continues even if the employee leaves before it ends.

A suspended employee may attend public events at a school and enter the school to perform normal parent or guardian duties. The rule applies to suspended employees and, for school entry, those with a dependent child, grandchild, foster child, or other family member at the school. The employee may be barred if being present could threaten students, employees, or visitors; affect learning or a school activity; prejudice an investigation or disciplinary proceeding; violate a court order or law; or threaten property damage. The permission applies while the employee is suspended.