Print ArticleSACRAMENTO–Senate Bill 1105 by Senator Bob Margett (R-Glendora) was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger at the State Capitol today. SB 1105 closes the loophole which allows teachers who plead no contest to specified sex and drug offenses to continue teaching in the classroom.
Under the current teacher credentialing law, if a person is found guilty of a misdemeanor sex offense, they immediately lose their teaching credential, effectively barring them from teaching. However, if there is a plea of no contest, then all credentials held by the person are suspended until a final decision by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing is made.
"You should not be able to plead no contest to a sex offense just so you can continue teaching," said Senator Margett. "If you are innocent, you plead innocent, and you show the court why you are innocent. It is inexcusable for sex offenders to exploit a loophole which allows them to continue teaching therefore putting our children at risk."
Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, principal co-author of SB 1105, explained, "It is unconscionable to think that the law provided special protection for sex offender teachers by allowing them to keep their credentials after pleading no contest. Schools should be a safe haven for our children and this bill will ensure that sex offenders can´t find a job in another district."
Under the current teacher credentialing law, if a person is found guilty of a misdemeanor sex offense, they immediately lose their teaching credential, effectively barring them from teaching. However, if there is a plea of no contest, then all credentials held by the person are suspended until a final decision by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing is made.
"You should not be able to plead no contest to a sex offense just so you can continue teaching," said Senator Margett. "If you are innocent, you plead innocent, and you show the court why you are innocent. It is inexcusable for sex offenders to exploit a loophole which allows them to continue teaching therefore putting our children at risk."
Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, principal co-author of SB 1105, explained, "It is unconscionable to think that the law provided special protection for sex offender teachers by allowing them to keep their credentials after pleading no contest. Schools should be a safe haven for our children and this bill will ensure that sex offenders can´t find a job in another district."
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