LAUSD Superintendent “Disheartened” After SB 1530 Dies in Committee

The law, meant to hasten the removal of LAUSD teachers under investigation, was proposed in the wake of the Miramonte Elementary School abuse scandal

SB-1530 was killed during the Assembly Education Committee late Wednesday, June 27. Supporters of the bill say the legislation would have streamlined the process of firing teachers accused of sexual assault, but teachers say the bill would have comprised their rights. Patrick Healy reports from Downtown Los Angeles for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on June 28, 2012.

Legislation that would have expedited the disciplinary review process for teachers accused of sexual abuse failed to clear the Assembly Education Committee Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1530, sponsored by Sen. Alex Padilla,  would have made streamlined the process for firing teachers accused of crimes involving sexual abuse, violence and drug offenses.

LAUSD Superintedent John Deasy blamed powerful lobbying forces for the bill's rejection.

"When we want students' rights protected, maybe we need a union," said Deasy

The bill was written out of response to the Miramonte Elementary scandal in which two teachers were charged with sexually abusing students.

Ongoing Coverage: Miramonte School Investigation

It would have allowed evidence more than four years old to be considered in dismissal hearings, which supporters contend may have brought the Miramonte case to light sooner.

The bill also would have sped up the firing process for teachers accused of sex crimes, drug offenses and child abuse by having those cases heard by an administrative law judge. The final decision would have been determined by the school district.

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But the legislation was strongly opposed by teachers unions, which insisted that steps were already in place which should have prevented the Miramonte situation and others like it.

"I think it's shameful," said Deasy. "I think the vote and what eventually has happened has been shameful for students and for employees in the State of California.

"We basically have said that students who are brutally molested by employees, we cannot actually expedite their firing. I am disheartened, but undeterred. But I am incredibly disheartened."

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