Summary of Original Version

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 160 to define terms; direct each local board of education to designate one or more programs or applications as a traceable communication system that shall be the exclusive means for school district employees and volunteers to communicate electronically with students; provide that a parent may submit written consent for a designated school district employee or volunteer to communicate electronically with a student outside of the traceable communication system; exclude communications between a parent that is a school district employee or volunteer and his or her own children; establish a mandatory duty to report violations for school employees and volunteers; require principals, superintendents, and the commissioner of education to notify parents of allegations of unauthorized electronic communication involving their children; require principals, superintendents, and the commissioner of education to report alleged violations to the Educational Professional Standards Board (EPSB); require principals, superintendents, the commissioner of education, and EPSB to investigate designated allegations of unauthorized electronic communication; establish the methods of disciplinary action for a violation; amend KRS 161.120 to provide that the identity of complainants alleging unauthorized electronic communication, sexual contact, or other sexual misconduct that are dismissed and minors invovled in the complaint to remain confidential; provide that EPSB will have 120 days to conduct the initial review of complaints alleging unauthorized electronic communication, sexual contact, or other sexual misconduct.

Summary of Amendment: Senate Floor Amendment 1 -- L. Tichenor

Summary Retain original provisions and require each principal to provide parents written or electronic notification within the first 10 days of the school year of each electronic school notification and communication program designated within the traceable communication system.

Summary of Amendment: House Committee Substitute 1

Summary Retain original provisions, except define "family member"; require an investigation if a report alleges a school or district volunteer participated in unauthorized electronic communication; exclude family members from the requirement for consent by a parent for electronic communication; amend KRS 158.1415 to exclude age-appropriate child sexual abuse instruction from the prohibition of human sexuality instruction for students in the fifth grade or lower; amend KRS 620.040 to establish a timeline to require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to physically locate a child who has been reported to be at risk of harm or an immediate safety concern; amend KRS 605.120 to require that the report by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services that tracks and analyzes data on relative and fictive kin caregiver placement be done annually and posted to the cabinet website for public access.

Summary of Amendment: House Committee Amendment 1 -- S. Heavrin

Summary Make title amendment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 161.120
House Committee Substitute 1: 161.120, 158.1415, 600.020, 620.032, 620.040, 620.048, 605.120
Current: 161.120