Hot Report: Notification to School Districts When a Teacher is Arrested

OLR Report 2013-R-0409  gives examples from other states of laws that require a school district to be notified when a teacher from that district is arrested. It also summarizes Connecticut's law requiring police to notify a school district upon the arrest of a student from the district.

While almost all states require criminal background checks for prospective teachers, many do not have a formal means of informing districts when a current teacher has been arrested. The report identifies 11 states that require some form of teacher arrest notification. Within the realm of teacher arrest notification laws, various states place the burden of notifying the school district or state education agency on different parties. In some cases the requirement only applies to arrests for certain offenses (e.g., felonies, sexual offenses, or child abuse).

The report found:

1. four states that place the notification requirement on the arrested teacher,
2. two require the police who make the arrest to notify,
3. two require the courts or the prosecutor to notify, and
4. four use statewide search mechanisms to identify arrests and make notification.

(California uses two of the methods mentioned above, which is why the list totals 12 for 11 states.)

States included responded to a query through the National Conference of State Legislatures education staff network. Several states responded that they do not have such notification laws and are not included. Some states require notification upon a conviction. The report includes some information on these states to provide fuller context of the issue.

Connecticut law does not require notification of teacher or school employee arrest.

Connecticut law requires police to notify a student's school superintendent of the student's arrest for a class A misdemeanor, felony, or the sale, carrying, or brandishing of any imitation or facsimile firearm.

For more information, read the full report.