R277-211-6. Proposed Consent to Discipline

  (1) At any time after UPPAC has made an initial recommendation, a respondent may accept UPPAC's initial recommendation, rather than request a hearing, by entering into a proposed consent to discipline.

  (2) By entering into a proposed consent to discipline, a respondent waives the respondent's right to a hearing to contest the recommended disposition, contingent on final approval by the Board.

  (3) At a minimum, the Executive Secretary shall include the following in a proposed consent to discipline:

  (a) a summary of the facts, the allegations, the presumption described in Rule R277-215, mitigating or aggravating factors described in Rule R277-215, and the evidence relied upon by UPPAC in its recommendation;

  (b) a statement that the respondent admits the facts recited in the proposed consent to discipline as true for purposes of the Board administrative action;

  (c) a statement that the respondent:

  (i) waives the respondent's right to a hearing to contest the allegations that gave rise to the investigation; and

  (ii) agrees to limitations on the respondent's license or surrenders the respondent's license rather than contest the allegations;

  (d) a statement that the respondent agrees to the terms of the proposed consent to discipline and other provisions applicable to the case, such as remediation, counseling, restitution, rehabilitation, and other conditions, if any, under which the respondent may request a reinstatement hearing or a removal of the letter of reprimand or termination of probation;

  (e) if for suspension or revocation of a license, a statement that the respondent:

  (i) may not seek or provide professional services in a public school in the state;

  (ii) may not seek to obtain or use an educator license in the state; or

  (iii) may not work or volunteer in a public K-12 setting in any capacity without express authorization from the UPPAC Executive Secretary, unless or until the respondent:

  (A) first obtains a valid educator license or authorization from the Board to obtain such a license; or

  (B) satisfies other provisions provided in the proposed consent to discipline;

  (f) a statement that the action and the proposed consent to discipline shall be reported to other states through the NASDTEC Educator Information Clearinghouse and any attempt to present to any other state a valid Utah license shall result in further licensing action in Utah;

  (g) a statement that respondent waives the respondent's right to contest the facts stated in the proposed consent to discipline at a subsequent reinstatement hearing, if any;

  (h) a statement that all records related to the proposed consent to discipline shall remain permanently in the UPPAC case file;

  (i) a statement reflecting the proposed consent to discipline classification under Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management Act;

  (j) a statement that information regarding the proposed letter of reprimand, suspension, or revocation may be included in an online licensing database that is available for public access in accordance with R277-512.

  (k) a statement that a violation of the terms of an approved consent to discipline may result in additional disciplinary action and may affect the reinstatement process; and

  (l) a statement that the educator understands that the Board is not bound by UPPAC's recommendation or the negotiated proposed stipulated agreement unless the Board approves the proposed consent to discipline.

  (4)(a) The Executive Secretary shall forward a proposed consent to discipline to the Board for approval.

  (b) If the Board does not approve a proposed consent to discipline, the Board may:

  (i)(A) remand the case to UPPAC and may include issues that need to be addressed;

  (B) offer respondent the opportunity for a hearing; or

  (C) provide alternative terms and disposition to the Executive Secretary, that would be satisfactory to the Board to be submitted to the educator for consideration;

  (ii) direct the Executive Secretary to issue a disciplinary letter or dismiss the matter; or

  (iii) take other appropriate action consistent with due process and R277-215.

  (5) If the respondent accepts a consent to discipline with alternative terms and disposition proposed by the Board, the consent to discipline, as modified, is a final Board administrative action without further Board consideration.

  (6) If the terms approved by the Board are rejected by the respondent, the proceedings shall continue from the point under these procedures at which the agreement was negotiated, as if the stipulated agreement had not been submitted.

  (7) If the Board remands to UPPAC to provide respondent the opportunity for a hearing under Subsection (4)(b)(i)(B), the Executive Secretary shall:

  (a) notify the parties of the decision;

  (b) direct a UPPAC attorney to issue a complaint; and

  (c) direct the proceedings as if the proposed consent to discipline had not been submitted.

  (8) If the Board approves a proposed consent to discipline, the approval is a final Board administrative action and the Executive Secretary shall:

  (a) notify the parties of the decision;

  (b) update CACTUS to reflect the action;

  (c) report the action to the NASDTEC Educator Information Clearinghouse if the agreement results in:

  (i) a revocation;

  (ii) a suspension;

  (iii) probation; or

  (iv) a letter of reprimand;

  (d) direct the appropriate penalties to begin; and

  (e) notify the LEAs throughout the state.