Posted: | October 31, 2013 03:19 PM |
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From: | Senator Anthony H. Williams |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Restitution for Costs of School Employee Dismissal |
In the near future, I will be introducing a companion bill with Representative Will Tallman amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) to provide restitution for costs incurred by school districts related to the termination of an employee convicted of a crime against a student which requires registration under Megan's Law. Currently, the legal and administrative costs of pursuing such action if the employee chooses to fight a termination are shouldered by the school district and, ultimately, the taxpayers. This bill would require the convicted predator, not taxpayers, to pay the school district’s legal costs related to his or her termination. The American Association of University Women Educational Foundation reports that at least 25% of school districts in the U.S. have dealt with a case of sexual abuse by a staff member in the past decade. Prior to lengthy criminal proceedings, many districts fire these employees, resulting in expensive administrative hearings or lawsuits related to wrongful termination. With the reported costs of terminating a public school district employee ranging from $50,000 to well over $250,000, these proceedings unduly burden already strained district budgets. This legislation requires restitution including fees paid to attorneys, investigators, expert witnesses, and court costs be added to any other sentence imposed. If you have any questions, please contact my office at 787-5970. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as SB1175