A Pennsylvania law that makes it a crime to release information about teacher disciplinary complaints is an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment, a federal judge has ruled.
The law's confidentiality provision makes it a misdemeanor to disclose the existence of a state complaint or any information about it unless and until discipline is imposed.
U.S. District Judge Karen S. Marston did not strike down the law itself in her Jan. 10 ruling.
“The confidentiality provision exists to protect the reputation, privacy, and due process rights of educators” who are accused, and ultimately cleared, of wrongdoing, said Chris Lilienthal, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Pepper's misconduct complaint centers on a January 2023 email that school psychologist Julia Szarko sent to his school district account.
Persons:
—, Jimmy Adams, he’s, Karen S, Marston, James Pepper, Pepper, “ weaponizing ”, Aaron Martin, Martin, ”, Chris Lilienthal, Jennifer Schorn, Julia Szarko, Szarko, Szarko —, Pepper's, she's, “ Dr, ” Pepper, “
Organizations:
Pennsylvania Department of Education, National Association of State, Education, U.S, District, Central Bucks School District, Central Bucks, Department of, Pennsylvania State Education Association, Republican, of Education
Locations:
Pennsylvania, Bucks County, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s