Latest news with #SB1437
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Abbott signs bill to close ‘Do Not Hire' loopholes, another advances
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Two bills that could close loopholes in Texas' 'Do Not Hire' registry advanced this week, but one is still up against the clock of sine die. Sen. Paul Bettencourt, who authored Senate Bill 571 and Senate Bill 1437, said that he introduced SB 571 'after a contractor in Austin was found working around students despite a history of misconduct.' Previous: Texas senators consider $10,000 fine for superintendents who don't report suspected sexual misconduct 'These bills make sure misconduct gets flagged and stopped-no more passing the trash that allows predators to reappear in other educational or juvenile justice roles,' said Bettencourt in a Friday press release. As KXAN previously reported, SB 571 was filed as a direct result of a KXAN investigation. That investigation uncovered that a former Texas Juvenile Justice corrections officer got a tutoring job at an Austin ISD campus through a nonprofit, despite the TJJD Office of Inspector General already determining he had an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile. 'It was your station's reporting that showed there was a problem with subcontractors and that started us to say alright, if we got one problem, let's figure out every possible way that people are avoiding being put on the do not hire registry if they're sexual predators of our kids,' said Bettencourt in an April 10 KXAN interview. Texas Senate bill seeks to expand access to state misconduct records after KXAN investigation SB 571 passed the Senate by a vote of 30-1 on Thursday, but still needs to pass a House committee vote by May 24 and a floor vote before May 28. Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 1437 into law Wednesday. It expands the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's authority to block some applicants, volunteers and contractors from working with children in the state's custody. 'Predators should not be able to leapfrog from one juvenile facility to another just because they don't hold a specific certification,' said Bettencourt in response to the signing. 'Kids in the juvenile system deserve the same protections as students in classrooms.' SB 1437 goes into effect on September 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona bill looks to expand mandated reporter guidance in schools
The Brief SB 1437 aims to protect kids in schools by expanding who's a mandated reporter when it comes to abuse. The bill also lays out the next steps after a mandated reporter is informed of abuse. PHOENIX - A new bill is going through the Arizona Capitol that would crack down on child abuse cases in schools. What we know It would clarify who's a mandated reporter, and provide guidance on the proper next steps. SB 1437 would make substitute teachers and school board members mandatory reporters, require student victims to be interviewed by specially trained interviewers, and expand whistleblower protections. Additionally, it would clarify that mandated reporters must report allegations to a law enforcement agency, and school resource officers would not count. What they're saying Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell supports the bill. She says her office has noticed a disturbing pattern, saying schools are not properly handling abuse cases and that far too many inquiries end sooner than they should. "The way it stands right now, we at the Maricopa County Attorney's Office are learning of cases where a child will report the abuse to a school personnel, and the administrator or someone at the school will interview the child, or direct someone to interview the child, or tell a school resource officer, but it will end there," Mitchell said. Some teachers tell their principals instead of police, and principals interview student victims. "Sadly, what I have seen is that some school administrators are attempting to handle these cases on their own, at times sweeping these offenses under the rug, unknowingly or knowingly," said Arizona Senator Carine Werner. She says her bill will change that by providing a framework of how and when abuse allegations should be reported. "The school staff member to whom the child disclosed must be the one that makes the report. You cannot pass along the duty to report by telling a boss. You cannot pass off the duty to report by reporting it, for example, to the principal," Mitchell said. Big picture view Bridget Vega is a community advocate who has worked with these victims and wants them to know they're aware of reporting issues. "We've seen so many flaws where things were being swept under the rug, or they weren't following the proper protocol," she said. "Know that you are not alone. They cannot take your voice. If you need anything, we are here for you. We see you, we love you and we stand by you." What's next If passed, this bill would apply to all schools, public and private.
