HB 4623 – School Accountability for Child Abuse

HB 4623 holds public schools and their employees civilly accountable for serious misconduct like sexual abuse or failing to report child abuse. It empowers victims to seek damages directly from both the individuals responsible and the public institutions that employ them. By removing governmental and official immunity, the bill ensures that those entrusted with children’s care face real consequences for neglect or abuse. From a taxpayer standpoint, this bill promotes accountability and transparency in schools without growing government bureaucracy. Rather than expanding state oversight, it relies on the civil justice system to check misconduct. The focus is narrowly tailored to serious and substantiated claims, avoiding overreach. Schools must protect children, and this bill creates meaningful financial deterrents when they fail to do so. It encourages local districts to improve internal oversight and personnel screening—potentially saving taxpayer dollars in the long run by reducing future incidents. Overall, this measure promotes justice and strengthens local responsibility and accountability.