The Haylee Weissenbach Protecting Students Act aims to enhance the safety and accountability of students in Kansas educational institutions by establishing an independent Office of Education Inspector General (OEIG) within the attorney general's office. This office will be responsible for investigating professional and criminal misconduct, conducting audits, and maintaining an education misconduct registry. The act also creates an oversight review board composed of various stakeholders to monitor the OEIG's operations and ensure transparency. New protocols will require educational institutions to report suspected misconduct and provide annual training on whistleblower protections, while also ensuring that students affected by misconduct receive trauma-informed support services.

Additionally, the bill introduces stricter licensure requirements for educators, including mandatory fingerprinting and criminal history checks starting July 1, 2026. It outlines penalties for violations, such as civil fines and disqualification from licensure, and emphasizes the importance of protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. The act also amends existing statutes to enhance the authority of the attorney general and state agencies regarding criminal history information, allowing for better prosecution of certain crimes and ensuring confidentiality in handling such records. Overall, the bill seeks to create a safer educational environment by implementing clear reporting mechanisms and accountability measures for misconduct.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 22-4714, 75-702, 21-5301, 21-5302, 21-5303