Tucson, Arizona  Wednesday, 11 April 2001
http://www.azstarnet.com/star/today/10411caplink.html
Capitol Link In Phoenix
By Howard Fischer
CAPITOL MEDIA SERVICES

PHOENIX - The House of Representatives is directing the Board of Education to adopt standards of morality and unprofessional conduct for teachers and applicants.

Yesterday's vote on SB 1482 came after lawmakers defeated an amendment by Rep. Karen Johnson, R-Mesa, that specifically would have denied teaching licenses to those who cohabit or who commit lewd and lascivious conduct or sodomy.

Those acts currently are illegal, though House-passed legislation awaiting Senate action would repeal those laws.

The board still could - but would not be required to - include those acts in its definitions of who cannot teach. The measure now returns to the Senate, which has approved the measure in a different form.

Small loans

State lawmakers handed a defeat to the small-loan industry, killing a measure that would have allowed lenders to charge up-front fees in excess of the legal interest limits.

Industry lobbyists said the cost of processing loans of less than $1,500 exceeds what can be recouped with the legally permitted 36 percent annual-yield interest charge.

On a 30-day loan of $1,000, for example, the maximum interest is only 3 percent, or $30.

The measure, SB 1290, had sought to allow a fee of 5 percent of the loan, up to $75, but only on unsecured and revolving loans. But the House voted 30-27 to kill the measure, despite the Senate's approval of it.

School principals

House members narrowly agreed to strip some school principals of the power granted to them just last year.

Changes enacted in conjunction with voter approval of Proposition 301, the education sales tax hike, allowed principals to demand total control of their schools, including getting the state aid that now is funneled through the school district. SB 1484 blocks principals whose schools are determined to be "failing" from exercising that power.

The bill now goes back to the Senate, which needs to approve changes made by the House.

Hazing

PHOENIX - State senators voted yesterday to require all public schools, community colleges and universities to adopt policies designed to prevent hazing.

HB 2476 mandates training for teachers and a statement that the victim's consent is not a defense for someone accused of hazing. An amendment added yesterday requires that the policies be printed in all handbooks so that students and parents will be aware of the policy.

Following a final Senate vote, the measure goes back to the House.

Safe haven

The Senate gave final approval yesterday to legislation allowing new mothers to abandon their babies without fear of prosecution if they have not otherwise harmed them.

HB 2001 is designed to curtail the number of newborns who are abandoned and sometimes die. It is modeled after legislation enacted in Texas.

The House must now approve some minor changes made by the Senate.

Nutrition aid

The House yesterday gave final approval to providing folic acid nutritional supplements to eligible pregnant women.

SB 1573 is designed to prevent birth defects, which can be caused by the lack of proper nutrition.

The legislation uses funds from the federal Women, Infants and Children program, which provides aid for low-income women.
© Arizona Daily Star