This bill amends current education law in Kansas regarding the employment files of teachers. It authorizes school districts to request and receive an applicant teacher's employment files from another district if the teacher was previously employed there. A hiring school district must require applicants who have worked in other districts to sign a written waiver that allows the disclosure of their employment files and releases the hiring district from liability. If an applicant refuses to sign the waiver, they will not be considered for employment. The bill also establishes a timeline for the disclosure of these files, requiring that they be provided within 21 days of the request, and outlines conditions under which files may be withheld, particularly in relation to nondisclosure agreements.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the responsibilities of school districts as custodians of these employment files under the Kansas Open Records Act. It specifies that files obtained through this process are not subject to public inspection or copying requests directed at the hiring school district, and they will not be subject to discovery in civil actions, except in cases of negligent hiring. The bill repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 45-220 and replaces it with new provisions that govern the handling of teacher employment files, ensuring that the process is streamlined while protecting the privacy of individuals involved.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 45-220