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SSB 1066

A bill for an act relating to mandatory reporting to the board of educational examiners of licensed school employees who engage in grooming behavior toward students.

2025-2026 Regular Session

SSB 1066 mandates school employees to report grooming behavior toward students, enhancing protections and accountability to create a safer educational environment.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 273.
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Bill Summary · SSB 1066

Summary of SSB 1066: Mandatory Reporting of Grooming Behavior

Bill Overview

Bill Number: SSB 1066
Title: A bill for an act relating to mandatory reporting to the board of educational examiners of licensed school employees who engage in grooming behavior toward students.
Status: Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 273.
Introduced: January 28, 2025
Classification: Proposed Bill
Subject Areas: Education, Mandatory Reporting, Exploitation, Labor and Employment, Schools, Students, Teachers

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of SSB 1066 is to enhance the protection of students by establishing mandatory reporting requirements for licensed school employees who engage in grooming behavior. The bill aims to ensure that any actions by school personnel that could lead to the exploitation of students are reported to the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE).

Key Provisions

  • Definition of Grooming Behavior:
    The bill modifies the definition of "grooming behavior" to clarify that it includes actions aimed at building trust and emotional connections with students with the intent to exploit them. This change broadens the scope of what constitutes grooming behavior beyond previous definitions focused solely on enticement for sexual acts.

  • Mandatory Reporting Requirements:
    The bill mandates that school district boards, superintendents, area education agency administrators, and authorities of accredited nonpublic schools must report any disciplinary actions taken against licensed school employees for:

    • Soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a sexual or physical relationship with a student.
    • Engaging in grooming behavior toward a student.
    • Any other inappropriate relationship with a student.

Impact

  • Who is Affected:
    The bill primarily affects licensed school employees, school administrators, and educational authorities. It also impacts students by providing them with a safer educational environment.

  • Reporting Mechanism:
    The requirement for mandatory reporting aims to create a more accountable educational system where inappropriate behaviors are swiftly reported and addressed, potentially reducing instances of exploitation.

Legislative Timeline

  • January 28, 2025: Bill introduced and referred to the Education Committee.
  • February 4, 2025: Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage; meeting held to discuss the bill.
  • February 11, 2025: Committee report approving the bill, renumbered as SF 273.

Conclusion

SSB 1066 seeks to strengthen the framework for protecting students from grooming behaviors by establishing clear reporting obligations for educational professionals. By redefining grooming behavior and mandating its reporting, the bill aims to foster a safer educational environment for students across the state.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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