Second Substitute H.B. 211

Senator David H. Steele proposes to substitute the following bill:

1 TUITION WAIVERS FOR TEACHERS
2 2001 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Wayne A. Harper
5 This act modifies provisions related to the State System of Public Education by granting
6 tuition waivers to educators for courses taken at higher education institutions that satisfy
7 professional development requirements for retaining a license to teach. The act takes effect
8 July 1, 2001.
9 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
10 AMENDS:
11 53A-6-104, as last amended by Chapter 331, Laws of Utah 2000
12 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
13 Section 1. Section 53A-6-104 is amended to read:
14 53A-6-104. Board licensure.
15 (1) (a) The board may issue licenses for educators.
16 (b) (i) A person employed in a position that requires licensure by the board shall hold the
17 appropriate license.
18 (ii) The board shall issue a letter of authorization permitting a person to be employed as
19 a classroom teacher if requested by a local school board which has determined that:
20 (A) the person has outstanding professional qualifications; and
21 (B) employment of the person would permit the school district to better meet the
22 educational goals of students.
23 (2) (a) The board may by rule rank, endorse, or otherwise classify licenses and establish
24 the criteria for obtaining and retaining licenses.
25 (b) (i) The board shall make rules requiring participation in professional development

26 activities in order for educators to retain their licenses.
27 (ii) An educator who is enrolling in a course of study at an institution of higher education
28 within the state system to satisfy the professional development requirements of Subsection (2)(b)(i)
29 is exempt from tuition, except for a semester registration fee established by the State Board of
30 Regents, if:
31 (A) the educator is enrolled on the basis of surplus space in the class after regularly
32 enrolled students have been assigned and admitted to available classroom space in accordance with
33 regular procedures and normal teaching loads in that space within the institution's approved
34 budget; and
35 (B) enrollments are determined by each institution under rules and guidelines established
36 by the State Board of Regents in accordance with findings of fact that space is available for the
37 educator's enrollment.
38 (3) Unless suspended or revoked by the board, or surrendered by the educator, a license
39 is valid for the following period:
40 (a) a letter of authorization is valid for one year, or a shorter period as specified by the
41 board, subject to renewal by the board for a total of not more than four years of full-time
42 equivalent employment;
43 (b) a level 1 license is valid for three years, subject to renewal by the board for a total of
44 not more than six years;
45 (c) a level 2 license is valid for five years, subject to renewal by the board; and
46 (d) a level 3 license is valid for seven years, subject to renewal by the board.
47 Section 2. Effective date.
48 This act takes effect on July 1, 2001.