Relating to education, including responsibilities of the board of educational examiners with respect to background checks, endorsements, and authorizations, requiring the boards of directors of school districts to make payments to certain specified student teachers and full-time employees, requiring the boards of directors of school districts to hire a certain specified amount of substitute teachers, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions

This bill relates to education, including responsibilities of the board of educational examiners (BOEE) with respect to background checks, endorsements, and authorizations, requiring the boards of directors of school districts to make payments to certain specified student teachers and full-time employees, and requiring the boards of directors of school districts to hire a certain specified amount of substitute teachers. The bill requires that the BOEE adopt rules to require that a background investigation be conducted by the division of criminal investigation of the department of public safety on all applicants for an additional endorsement or authorization. The bill also requires the BOEE to adopt rules that require all applicants for an additional endorsement to submit a completed fingerprint packet to facilitate a national criminal history background check. The bill requires the BOEE to adopt rules to allow individuals to complete the requirements associated with obtaining an additional endorsement within five years after applying for the endorsement. The bill provides that a person employed as a practitioner is not required to hold an endorsement or an authorization for the type of service for which the person is employed if the person has been employed as a practitioner for at least three years and the person is in the process of completing the requirements associated with obtaining the endorsement or authorization. Additionally, the bill provides that this provision does not apply to services related to mental health counseling, driving instruction, or any other services the BOEE or the superintendent of a school district determines requires specific training to prove proficiency. The bill requires the board of directors of a school district to compensate all students who are fulfilling the requirements associated with the student teaching experience at the school district an amount equal to $2,500 per month for the duration of the student teaching experience. The bill requires the department of education (DOE) to adopt rules to administer these provisions. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and for each succeeding fiscal year, the bill appropriates from the general fund of the state to the DOE to distribute to school districts an amount necessary to reimburse the cost associated with these payments. The bill requires the board of directors of a school district to submit a notification containing certain specified information to the DOE to obtain moneys for reimbursement. The bill provides that moneys received by a school district under this provision shall be miscellaneous income for purposes of Code chapter 257 (financing school programs) and shall not be included in district cost.77, which requires the board of directors of a school district to employ full-time substitute teacher for every 500 students enrolled in the school district during the preceding school year pursuant to a contract for the duration of the ensuing school year.27 (discharge of a teacher) in the same manner as a teacher, and shall be eligible for all benefits available to full-time teachers employed by the school district.77 when the substitute teacher is not needed to substitute for a regularly assigned teacher who is absent.77. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and for each succeeding fiscal year, the bill appropriates from the general fund of the state to the DOE to distribute to school districts an amount necessary to reimburse the cost associated with these substitute teachers. The bill requires the board of directors of a school district to submit a notification containing certain specified information to the DOE to obtain moneys for reimbursement.77 shall be miscellaneous income for purposes of Code chapter 257 (financing school programs) and shall not be included in district cost. The bill requires the board of directors of each school district to pay $3,000 to each full-time employee of the school district who has been employed by the board of directors of the school district beginning on or before August 23, 2020, through June 30, 2022, and who has entered into an employment contract with the board of directors of the school district for the ensuing school year, including certain specified substitute teachers. The bill provides that this provision does not apply to administrators, principals, school administration managers, or superintendents. For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021, the bill appropriates from the general fund of the state to the DOE to distribute to school districts an amount necessary to reimburse the cost associated with these payments. The bill requires the board of directors of each school district to submit a notification to the DOE indicating the number of employees who are qualified to receive a payment pursuant to this provision and the total amount the board of directors of the school district will pay to those employees. The bill provides that moneys received by a school district under this provision shall be miscellaneous income for purposes of Code chapter 257 (financing school programs) and shall not be included in district cost. The bill takes effect upon enactment.