H.B. 207

1

LICENSES FOR EDUCATORS
2 2002 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Sheryl L. Allen
5 This act modifies provisions related to the state system of public education by extending the
6 period of time an educator may retain a level 1 license. This act makes technical
7 amendments.
8 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
9 AMENDS:
10 53A-6-104, as last amended by Chapters 86 and 292, Laws of Utah 2001
11 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
12 Section 1. Section 53A-6-104 is amended to read:
13 53A-6-104. Board licensure.
14 (1) (a) The board may issue licenses for educators.
15 (b) (i) A person employed in a position that requires licensure by the board shall hold the
16 appropriate license.
17 (ii) The board shall issue a letter of authorization permitting a person to be employed as
18 a classroom teacher if requested by a local school board which has determined that:
19 (A) the person has outstanding professional qualifications or extensive job experience in
20 the public or private sector in such areas as mathematics, science, business, information
21 technology, and applied technology; and
22 (B) employment of the person would permit the school district to better meet the
23 educational goals of students.
24 (2) (a) The board may by rule rank, endorse, or otherwise classify licenses and establish
25 the criteria for obtaining and retaining licenses.
26 (b)(i) [Consistent with Subsections 53A-1a-104 (7) and 53A-6-102 (2)(a) and (b), the] The
27 board shall make rules requiring participation in professional development activities in order for

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




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-12-01 9:55 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel