Actions upon criminal conviction of a licensed or certified school employee

§ 1131. Actions upon criminal conviction of a licensed or certified school employee. 1. In the event that a licensed or certified school employee against whom an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting has been made, is convicted of any crime involving child abuse in an educational setting, the district attorney shall provide notice thereof to the commissioner and the superintendent of schools of the district or, in a school other than a school district or public school, the school administrator where the acts of child abuse occurred and to the school where the child is attending, if different.

2. Upon receiving notice of a conviction from a district attorney pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the commissioner shall, without delay, proceed to determine whether the individual possesses good moral character, in accordance with the regulations of the commissioner governing such a determination.

3. Nothing in this article shall be construed as creating any authority to take an adverse action against an employee or volunteer by virtue of a report pursuant to this article which has not been substantiated.

4. An employee or volunteer who has adverse action taken against him or her by virtue of or in connection with any report made pursuant to this article shall be entitled to receive a copy of such report and respond to the allegations of child abuse made therein. Any employee or volunteer shall, in addition, be entitled to seek disclosure of such report pursuant to article six of the public officers law.