The state House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would give reprimanded educators an opportunity to clear their name. John Sattgast reports.

SATTGAST: Representative Paul Harris of Vancouver says everyone deserves a second chance. And lawmakers in the state House agreed Wednesday as they passed his bill. House Bill 1113 would create a new process to vacate a reprimand on an educator’s certificate.

HARRIS: “This beautiful bill was brought to me by a phenomenal individual, who happened to have one little minor infraction that ended up on his record and has followed him for thirty years. This bill gives this man an opportunity to have that forgiven of him because it was extremely minor.”

SATTGAST: The measure would require the Professional Educator Standards Board to adopt rules for reviewing and vacating reprimands to certified educators that did not involve a student.

HARRIS: “I hope, going forward, this will give an opportunity for other educators who have made a small hiccup in their life to get it resolved.”

SATTGAST: The bill itself got a second chance after stalling last year. It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.