Governor signs Scott's teacher credential bill

Karen S. Kim

GLENDALE -- Gov. Gray Davis has signed into law a bill that allows

teachers convicted of federal sex offenses to be immediately removed from

the classroom.

The law, authored by state Sen. Jack Scott (D-Glendale) goes into

effect Jan. 1, 2002.

Under current law, teachers charged and convicted of federal sex

offenses, including child pornography, are permitted to continue teaching

while the case is reviewed by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

SB 299 will automatically suspend the teaching credential upon the

charge of a federal sex offense and immediately revoke the credential

upon conviction.