Sen. Perez’s bill adding ALJ review before classified school employees enter misconduct database advances from committee

The Assembly Committee on Public Employment and Retirement on Thursday voted to pass SB 1083, a bill by Sen. Perez that would require an administrative‑law‑judge (ALJ) review before a classified school employee can be added to the statewide egregious‑misconduct database, and would impose immediate notification and expanded vetting requirements for employees who leave an employer while under investigation. The committee referred the bill to the Assembly Education Committee.

Supporters said the bill balances student safety with due process. Navneet Puryear of the California School Employees Association, a co‑sponsor, told the committee SB 1083 would “require an administrative‑law‑judge through the Office of Administrative Hearings to determine if a classified school employee should be placed into the egregious misconduct database,” arguing that classified staff deserve the same due‑process protections teachers receive under existing law. Tristan Brown of the California Federation of Teachers said the measure helps ensure investigations are completed and allows falsely accused staff to be exonerated.

Opponents — including the Association for California School Administrators, the Schools Access Liability Fund and multiple county and district representatives — warned the bill could limit disclosure to prospective employers and create gaps in records. Dorothy Johnson of the Association for California School Administrators said SB 1083 “creates gaps in employment records that are otherwise fully available” and could raise liability exposure for school districts by changing what information is disclosed to future employers. Leilani Akinoldo of the Schools Access Liability Fund said the earlier law (SB 848) improved information flow for hiring and that SB 1083 would be “a step backward.”

Sen. Perez told the committee she and staff are negotiating amendments with opposition groups and emphasized the bill attempts to protect both students and employees. “This is an especially important issue to me,” Perez said in closing, referring to a personal history she described in the hearing, and asking members for their aye votes while promising to continue discussions on amendments.

What the bill would do: SB 1083 would (1) require ALJ review before a classified employee is added to the statewide egregious‑misconduct database created by prior legislation (SB 848), (2) require immediate notification to a current employer when an employee leaves during an investigation, (3) extend fingerprint‑based background checks and disclosure requirements to certain contracted employees who work with students, and (4) clarify the Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s authority to review substantiated reports and access records for action when necessary.

Committee action and next steps: The committee voted to pass SB 1083 and referred it to the Assembly Education Committee; members noted they would place the item on hold when absent members return. No final amendments were adopted in committee; the author said she expects to work on changes before further hearings.

Context: SB 1083 was presented as a follow‑up to last year’s SB 848, which created the statewide database for substantiated egregious misconduct. The author and supporters said SB 1083 fills gaps for classified and contracted employees by adding independent review and procedural safeguards; opponents said it would reduce useful disclosure and increase district liability.

The committee recorded public testimony from labor groups and several school‑district and liability organizations. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda; SB 1083 now moves to Assembly Education for further consideration.