U.S. Code » Title 20 » Chapter CHAPTER 70— STRENGTHENING AND IMPROVEMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER VIII— GENERAL PROVISIONS › Part Part F— Uniform Provisions › Subpart subpart 3— teacher liability protection

20 U.S.C. § 7946

Limitation on liability for teachers

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(a) Liability protection for teachersExcept as provided in subsection (b), no teacher in a school shall be liable for harm caused by an act or omission of the teacher on behalf of the school if—(1) the teacher was acting within the scope of the teacher’s employment or responsibilities to a school or governmental entity;(2) the actions of the teacher were carried out in conformity with Federal, State, and local laws (including rules and regulations) in furtherance of efforts to control, discipline, expel, or suspend a student or maintain order or control in the classroom or school;(3) if appropriate or required, the teacher was properly licensed, certified, or authorized by the appropriate authorities for the activities or practice involved in the State in which the harm occurred, where the activities were or practice was undertaken within the scope of the teacher’s responsibilities;(4) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the teacher; and(5) the harm was not caused by the teacher operating a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other vehicle for which the State requires the operator or the owner of the vehicle, craft, or vessel to—(A) possess an operator’s license; or(B) maintain insurance.(b) Exceptions to teacher liability protectionIf the laws of a State limit teacher liability subject to one or more of the following conditions, such conditions shall not be construed as inconsistent with this section:(1) A State law that requires a school or governmental entity to adhere to risk management procedures, including mandatory training of teachers.(2) A State law that makes the school or governmental entity liable for the acts or omissions of its teachers to the same extent as an employer is liable for the acts or omissions of its employees.(3) A State law that makes a limitation of liability inapplicable if the civil action was brought by an officer of a State or local government pursuant to State or local law.(c) Limitation on punitive damages based on the actions of teachers(1) General rule

Punitive damages may not be awarded against a teacher in an action brought for harm based on the act or omission of a teacher acting within the scope of the teacher’s employment or responsibilities to a school or governmental entity unless the claimant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that the harm was proximately caused by an act or omission of such teacher that constitutes willful or criminal misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.

(2) Construction

Paragraph (1) does not create a cause of action for punitive damages and does not preempt or supersede any Federal or State law to the extent that such law would further limit the award of punitive damages.

(d) Exceptions to limitations on liability(1) In generalThe limitations on the liability of a teacher under this subpart shall not apply to any misconduct that—(A) constitutes a crime of violence (as that term is defined in section 16 of title 18) or act of international terrorism (as that term is defined in section 2331 of title 18) for which the defendant has been convicted in any court;(B) involves a sexual offense, as defined by applicable State law, for which the defendant has been convicted in any court;(C) involves misconduct for which the defendant has been found to have violated a Federal or State civil rights law; or(D) where the defendant was under the influence (as determined pursuant to applicable State law) of intoxicating alcohol or any drug at the time of the misconduct.(2) Hiring

The limitations on the liability of a teacher under this subpart shall not apply to misconduct during background investigations, or during other actions, involved in the hiring of a teacher.

(e) Rules of construction(1) Concerning responsibility of teachers to schools and governmental entities

Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect any civil action brought by any school or any governmental entity against any teacher of such school.

(2) Concerning corporal punishment

Nothing in this subpart shall be construed to affect any State or local law (including a rule or regulation) or policy pertaining to the use of corporal punishment.

(Pub. L. 89–10, title VIII, § 8556, formerly title II, § 2366, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title II, § 201, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 1668; renumbered title IX, § 9546, renumbered title VIII, § 8556, and amended Pub. L. 114–95, title II, § 2001(a)(1), (3)(A), (B), (D), title VIII, § 8001(a)(7), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 1913, 2088, 2089.)Editorial NotesCodification

Section was classified to section 6736 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 114–95.

Amendments

2015—Pub. L. 114–95, § 2001(a)(1), struck out undesignated par. following par. (2) which read as follows: “ate law that makes a limitation of liability inapplicable if the civil action was brought by an officer of a State or local government pursuant to State or local law.”

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 114–95, § 2001(a)(1), added par. (3).

Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date of 2015 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 114–95 effective Dec. 10, 2015, except with respect to certain noncompetitive programs and competitive programs, see section 5 of Pub. L. 114–95, set out as a note under section 6301 of this title.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 21 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 2018–2025 · leading case: Gambrill v. Bd. of Educ., 481 Md. 274 (2022).
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Gambrill v. Bd. of Educ., 481 Md. 274 (2022). · cites it 7× “Additionally, 20 U.S.C. § 7946 (b)(2) establishes an express “exception” to the preemption provisions of the Act for a “state law that makes the school or governmental entity liable for the acts or omissions of its employees to the same extent as an employer is liable for the…”
Zell v. Ricci, 957 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 2020). “See 20 U.S.C. § 7946 (a). Given our disposition of the state-law negligence claim, this affirmative defense remains to be adjudicated in state court.”
Steffan v. Smyzer, 540 S.W.3d 387 (Ky. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 3× “See 20 U.S.C.A. § 7946 (1) and (2). Likewise, since a genuine issue of material fact exists concerning whether Steffan's acts were appropriate under state and local law and regulations, his motion to dismiss the common law negligence and assault and battery claims against him…”
Gambrill v. Bd. of Educ., 281 A.3d 876 (Md. 2022). · cites it 7× “Additionally, 20 U.S.C. § 7946 (b)(2) establishes an express “exception” to the preemption provisions of the Act for a “state law that makes the school or governmental entity liable for the acts or omissions of its employees to the same extent as an employer is liable for the…”
King v. U.S.D. 501, No. 125117 (Kan. Ct. App. Nov. 9, 2023). · cites it 5× “" 20 U.S.C. §7946 (a). B. King was able to establish that his legal justification for appealing his termination was based on the FURSA or the Coverdell Act.”
Robinson v. Washington Cnty. Bd. of Educ., No. 1:22-cv-01102, 2023 WL 2499854 (D. Md. Mar. 14, 2023). · cites it 5× “20 U.S.C. § 7946 (a)(3)-(5). And, the Coverdell Act does not apply when an individual defendant is in direct violation of the law.”
J.M. v. Parlier Unified Sch. Dist., No. 1:21-cv-00261, 2021 WL 5234770 (E.D. Cal. Nov. 10, 2021). · cites it 4× “Further, the immunity under 20 U.S.C. § 7946 does not apply because the 12 harm suffered by J.”
Doe v. Saint Louis Pub. Schs., No. 4:19-cv-03080 (E.D. Mo. Sept. 23, 2021). · cites it 4× “20 U.S.C. § 7946 (a)(1)- (3). Harm caused by “willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the teacher” is not protected by Coverdell.”
RD v. Concord Cmty. Schs., No. 3:19-cv-00823 (N.D. Ind. July 15, 2021). · cites it 3× “Cook are entitled to immunity from liability pursuant to the Teacher Liability Statute, 20 U.S.C. § 7946 . That statute provides as follows: Except as provided in subsection (b), no teacher in a school shall be liable for harm caused by an act or omission of the teacher on…”
Gambrill v. Bd. of Educ., 259 A.3d 144 (Md. Ct. Spec. App. 2021). · cites it 2× “the activities were or practice was undertaken within the scope of the teacher’s responsibilities; (4) the harm was not caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the…”
M.M. v. San Juan Unified Sch. Dist., No. 2:19-cv-00398, 2020 WL 5702265 (E.D. Cal. Sept. 24, 2020). · cites it 2× “Coverdell Teacher Protection Act of 2001 (“Coverdell Act”), 20 U.S.C. § 7946 . (ECF 25 No. 9-1 at 10.”
J.L. v. Royal Valley United Sch. Dist. 337, No. 2:19-cv-02651 (D. Kan. Sept. 15, 2021). · cites it 2× “Defendants claim that the Coverdell Act, 20 U.S.C. § 7946 , and two exceptions to the Kansas Tort Claims Act (KTCA), K.”
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