The Protect Our Kids Act, introduced by Rep. Derrick Hildebrant (R-Catoosa), has passed the Education Oversight Committee and is now set to be discussed on the House floor. This bill aims to enhance student protection by improving transparency and accountability in cases of teacher and administrator misconduct.
Rep. Hildebrant emphasized the importance of student safety, stating, “Our first priority must be the safety and well-being of our students. The Protect Our Kids Act ensures that any recommendation for the dismissal or non-reemployment of teachers and administrators, particularly in cases of potential criminal misconduct, is properly addressed and reported. This bill closes loopholes that allowed individuals to quietly resign and continue working in other districts without proper scrutiny.”
House Bill 1075, also known as the Protect Our Kids Act, would modify current law to require that all recommendations for dismissal be sent to the State Board of Education, whether the individual resigns before or after the recommendation is made. The bill would also require school boards to inform the State Board of Education if a resignation occurs while the individual is under investigation for serious misconduct.
Hildebrant added, “By ensuring thorough reviews of resignation or termination cases, we can better protect students and staff from potential harm, while ensuring fairness in cases where no criminal charges are filed. This bill takes important steps to safeguard our schools and ensure that only qualified educators are entrusted with our students.”
The bill also sets procedures for expungement in cases without criminal charges or certificate revocation, ensuring fairness in the process. Educators would have the chance to submit additional information in response to recommendations. While records of misconduct would remain confidential, they would be accessible to school districts for informed hiring decisions, balancing privacy with student safety.
The Protect Our Kids Act passed the Education Oversight Committee with bipartisan support, winning a 9-0 vote. It will now move to the House floor for further consideration. If approved and signed into law, the bill will take effect on July 1, ahead of the next school year.
