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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