CBS 42: To Give or Not to Give
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)- Can a student give a teacher a gift, or not? That's a question one Alabama, senator is trying to set straight.
"People feel like they're not sure a teacher can receive a gift they can receive anything of value what so ever from the student at an appreciation party," says Sen. Cam Ward.
Republican Senator Cam Ward, introduced Senate Bill 305, in hopes that it will resolve the question of whether students can give gifts to their teachers under Alabama's Ethics Law.
"This law was never designed to go against teachers receiving gifts from students. We're trying to change that to make it clear for everyone involved."
The law doesn't just apply to teachers, it applies to all public employees of the state of Alabama.
"That's a silly application, the law is to crack down on public corruption, it was designed to make sure people weren't receiving bribes for their official duties."
The state's new law says gifts to public employees, including teachers, must be "de minimus," or of nominal value. Well Sen. Ward, says he hopes his bill will clear all confusion.
"What we're trying to do is say this is $25, is the bottom level the amount anyone can give for a gift."
