Findings

Congress finds the following: (1) The safety of children in schools is a compelling national interest requiring consistent Federal oversight and standards. (2) Cases of educator sexual misconduct have increased in several States, and there is currently no uniform national reporting mechanism to track offenders. (3) Gaps in reporting and communication between school districts and State education agencies have allowed individuals with substantiated misconduct to obtain new employment with children. (4) Mandatory, standardized training on professional boundaries, grooming behaviors, and reporting requirements is essential to preventing abuse. (5) A coordinated Federal effort is necessary to gather data, analyze national trends, identify weaknesses, and support the development of best practices.