(a) An individual may not serve as a member of the State Board of Education or the board of a public school district or vocational-technical school district if any of the following apply to the individual:
(1) The individual has ever been convicted or has ever pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to any of the following:
- a. Any crime against a child constituting a felony.
- b. Any sexual offense against a child.
- c. Any crime constituting a felony sexual offense or unlawful sexual contact in the third degree under § 767 of Title 11.
- (2) The individual has been convicted or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere within the preceding 10 years to any crime constituting a felony that is not a permanent disqualification under paragraph (a)(1) of this section.
(3) The individual has been convicted or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere within the preceding 5 years to any of the following:
- a. Any crime against a child constituting a misdemeanor, except for unlawful sexual contact in the third degree under § 767 of Title 11.
b. Possession of a controlled substance or a counterfeit controlled substance classified as such in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V of Chapter 47 of Title 16, except for any of the following:
- 1. Possession of a personal use quantity of marijuana under § 4764 of Title 16.
- 2. Possession of drug paraphernalia under § 4771 of Title 16.
- c. Any crime constituting a misdemeanor offense against public administration involving bribery, improper influence or abuse of office.
- (4) The individual fails to comply with subsection (c) of this section.
- (b) Before an individual may be appointed to or qualify as a candidate for membership on the State Board of Education or the board of a public school district or vocational-technical school district, the individual must obtain a criminal background check and Child Protection Registry check under § 309 of Title 31.
(c) (1) a. A member of the State Board of Education or a vocational-technical school district board must inform the Governor if the member is charged with a crime under subsection (a) of this section.
- b. The Governor may require a member of the State Board of Education or a vocational-technical school district board to obtain a new background check under § 309 of Title 31 if the Governor has reasonable suspicion that the member has been charged with a crime under subsection (a) of this section.
(2) a. A member of the board of a public school district must inform the superintendent of the school district and other members of that school district board if the member is charged with a crime under subsection (a) of this section.
- b. The superintendent of a school district may require a member of the district school board to obtain a new background check under § 309 of Title 31 if the superintendent has reasonable suspicion that the member has been charged with a crime under subsection (a) of this section.
83 Del. Laws, c. 187, § 1