Substitute Senate Bill No. 1371 seeks to implement a "just cause" standard for the termination of both tenured and non-tenured public school teachers, ensuring that any termination is supported by valid reasons such as inefficiency, incompetence, or moral misconduct. This represents a significant shift from current law, which does not mandate specific grounds for termination. The bill also stipulates that termination hearings for tenured teachers must be conducted by a neutral hearing officer, rather than a board subcommittee, with the hearing officer's decision being final and binding. Additionally, it allows non-tenured teachers to have their contracts renewed unless they receive written notice of nonrenewal by May 1, and provides a process for them to request a hearing regarding their termination.

Key changes in the bill include the deletion of language that previously allowed the board of education to rescind a nonrenewal decision only if it was found to be arbitrary and capricious, thereby granting the board greater discretion. The bill also introduces procedural modifications, such as allowing either party to request a hearing transcript, with the requesting party responsible for costs. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, while the bill introduces new requirements and processes aimed at enhancing fairness and transparency in the teacher termination process, it is expected to have minimal fiscal impact on local and regional school districts.