S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6923
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 10, 2015
___________
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. McDO-
NOUGH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to removal of employees
of school districts and boards of cooperative educational services
upon certain felony convictions
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 3020-a of the education law, as
amended by section 1 of part B of chapter 57 of the laws of 2012, is
amended to read as follows:
1. Filing of charges. [All] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION THREE THOU-
SAND TWENTY-B OF THIS ARTICLE, ALL charges against a person enjoying the
benefits of tenure as provided in subdivision three of section eleven
hundred two, and sections twenty-five hundred nine, twenty-five hundred
seventy-three, twenty-five hundred ninety-j, three thousand twelve and
three thousand fourteen of this chapter shall be in writing and filed
with the clerk or secretary of the school district or employing board
during the period between the actual opening and closing of the school
year for which the employed is normally required to serve. Except as
provided in subdivision eight of section twenty-five hundred seventy-
three and subdivision seven of section twenty-five hundred ninety-j of
this chapter, no charges under this section shall be brought more than
three years after the occurrence of the alleged incompetency or miscon-
duct, except when the charge is of misconduct constituting a crime when
committed.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 3020-b to
read as follows:
S 3020-B. REMOVAL UPON FELONY CONVICTION. 1. IN THE EVENT THAT CHARGES
AGAINST ANY EMPLOYEE OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCA-
TIONAL SERVICES ALLEGE THAT SUCH EMPLOYEE IS THE SUBJECT OF A FELONY
CONVICTION, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION OR BOARD OF COOPER-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD10352-01-5
A. 6923 2
ATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES SHALL IMMEDIATELY EXAMINE ALL INFORMATION
NECESSARY TO DETERMINE WHETHER, IN FACT, SUCH EMPLOYEE IS THE SUBJECT OF
A FELONY CONVICTION.
2. UPON A DETERMINATION BY THE BOARD THAT THE CHARGE IS SUSTAINED, THE
BOARD SHALL DIRECT THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT TO IMMEDIATELY:
A. SUSPEND THE EMPLOYEE WITHOUT COMPENSATION PENDING A FINAL DETERMI-
NATION OF FORMAL DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS, WHERE THE CONVICTION ALLEGED
IN THE CHARGE IS FOR A FELONY OFFENSE NOT SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPH B OF
THIS SUBDIVISION; OR
B. DISMISS THE EMPLOYEE WHERE THE CONVICTION IS FOR A FELONY OFFENSE
SET FORTH IN ARTICLE TWO HUNDRED TWENTY OR TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE OR
SECTION 120.10, 120.12, 125.20, 125.25, 125.27, 130.25, 130.30, 130.35,
130.65, 130.70, 135.20, 150.15, 150.20, 160.05, 160.10, 160.15, 263.05,
263.10 OR 263.15 OF THE PENAL LAW OR FOR A SIMILAR FELONY WHERE THE
CONVICTION FOR SUCH FELONY WAS RENDERED IN A JURISDICTION OUTSIDE THE
STATE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH EMPLOYEE MAY APPLY FOR REINSTATEMENT
TO THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY UPON REVERSAL OR THE VACATING OF SUCH
CONVICTION WHERE THE CONVICTION IS THE SOLE BASIS FOR THE DISMISSAL.
C. IN THE EVENT THAT A TEACHER IS SUSPENDED OR DISMISSED PURSUANT TO
PARAGRAPH A OR B OF THIS SUBDIVISION AND HOLDS A CERTIFICATE OF THE
COMMISSIONER, THE SUPERINTENDENT SHALL NOTIFY THE COMMISSIONER FORTHWITH
OF SUCH SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.