|
 Adjust
Text Size
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2012
Contact: Matt Parido
717-397-1309
- Senator's Remarks
- Education Committee Hearing
Education Advocates Voice Support for Smucker's Educator
Discipline Amendments
HARRISBURG – Education Secretary Ron Tomalis and other education officials
and advocates voiced strong support at a Senate Education Committee hearing this
morning for legislation that would modernize the Professional Educator
Discipline Act.
Senate Bill 1459, introduced by Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-13), would help hold
educators responsible for any inappropriate contact with students. The
legislation would protect students by expanding mandatory reporting requirements
for school districts under the Professional Educator Discipline Act to include
reports of child abuse and "grooming" behaviors by educators, such as the use of
sexually explicit text messages.
"Students need a safe atmosphere to reach their full potential in the
classroom. These amendments are critical to ensure students are adequately
protected from abuse," Smucker said. "This legislation would allow school
districts to err on the side of the student when any inappropriate behavior by a
teacher is reported."
In addition to strengthening reporting requirements, Senate Bill 1459 would
remove the limitation of the filing period for misconduct complaints. The
Professional Educator Discipline Act currently requires victims to come forward
with a complaint within five years of reaching 18 years of age.
"It often takes years before victims are ready to confront the abuse, and
likewise their abuser, particularly when the perpetrator is a trusted authority
figure such as a teacher," Tomalis said. "It is simply wrong to have a law that
favors educators who harm students and degrade their profession. I would like to
thank Senator Smucker for his leadership on this issue and for introducing
Senate Bill 1459."
Senate Bill 1459 was drafted based on a number of recommendations from the
Professional Standards and Practices Commission (PSPC), the body that oversees
the professional educator discipline system. PSPC Executive Director Carolyn
Angelo testified in support of Senate Bill 1459 during the hearing. | 
