Education employment: termination: hearing.

Existing law requires that, when a reduction in the number of certificated employees employed by a school district is authorized, the layoffs occur in order of employee seniority. Under existing law, when an employee is terminated due to a reduction in force pursuant to these provisions, the employee has the option to request a hearing to determine if there is cause for not reemploying him or her for the ensuing year. Existing law requires that this hearing be conducted in accordance with specified provisions of law. With respect to this hearing, existing law defines the "respondent" as any person against whom an accusation is filed pursuant to specified provisions of law. Additionally, existing law provides for a "notice of defense," which, when signed by or on behalf of the respondent and returned to the agency, will acknowledge service of the accusation and constitute a notice of defense under specified provisions of law. This bill would change the phrase "accusation" to "District Statement of Reduction in Force," and "Notice of Defense" to "Notice of Participation in Reduction in Force Hearing" for purposes of the provisions relating to the termination of a certificated employee due to a reduction in force and would make conforming changes. This bill would also make technical, nonsubstantive changes.