The bill establishes new procedures for the handling of employment files of teachers within school districts in Kansas. It authorizes hiring school districts to request and receive an applicant teacher's employment files from previous employers, provided that the applicant executes a written waiver allowing for the disclosure of these files. The bill mandates that if an applicant refuses to sign the waiver, they will not be considered for employment. Additionally, it sets 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 binding nondisclosure agreements.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing law regarding public records to clarify 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 requests directed at the hiring school district and establishes protections for the school districts against civil suits related to the disclosure of these files, as long as they acted in good faith. The bill repeals the previous section of law that governed these matters, thereby streamlining the process and ensuring that the handling of teacher employment files is consistent and secure.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 45-220