First Substitute H.B. 299

Representative Eric K. Hutchings proposes the following substitute bill:

1 TEACHER ACCRUAL OF CONTINUING
2 EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
3 2004 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill provides that a person may satisfy a portion of professional development
10 points required to renew or reinstate a teacher's license by volunteering in a public
11 school or an accredited private school.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . requires that rules of the State Board of Education provide that a person may satisfy
15 50% of professional development points needed to renew or reinstate a teacher's
16 license by teaching or volunteering as a teacher's aide in a public school or an
17 accredited private school.
18 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
19 None
20 Other Special Clauses:
21 None
22 Utah Code Sections Affected:
23 AMENDS:
24 53A-6-104, as last amended by Chapter 315, Laws of Utah 2003
25

26 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27 Section 1. Section 53A-6-104 is amended to read:
28 53A-6-104. Board licensure.
29 (1) (a) The board may issue licenses for educators.
30 (b) A person employed in a position that requires licensure by the board shall hold the
31 appropriate license.
32 (2) (a) The board may by rule rank, endorse, or otherwise classify licenses and
33 establish the criteria for obtaining and retaining licenses.
34 (b) (i) The board shall make rules requiring participation in professional development
35 activities or compliance with a school district professional development plan as provided in
36 Subsection [(4)] (5) in order for educators to retain their licenses.
37 (ii) The board rules shall provide that a person may satisfy 50% of professional
38 development points required to renew or reinstate a teacher's license by:
39 (A) teaching in a public school or an accredited private school; or
40 (B) volunteering as a teacher's aide in a classroom in a public school or an accredited
41 private school.
42 (iii) (A) A person who volunteers as a teacher's aide in a classroom may receive
43 professional development points only for activities related to the delivery of instruction.
44 (B) One license point may be awarded for every two hours of activity related to the
45 delivery of instruction, up to 50% of the professional development points required to renew or
46 reinstate the person's teacher's license.
47 [(ii)] (3) An educator who is enrolling in a course of study at an institution within the
48 state system of higher education to satisfy the professional development requirements of
49 Subsection (2)(b)[(i)] is exempt from tuition, except for a semester registration fee established
50 by the State Board of Regents, if:
51 [(A)] (a) the educator is enrolled on the basis of surplus space in the class after
52 regularly enrolled students have been assigned and admitted to the class in accordance with
53 regular procedures, normal teaching loads, and the institution's approved budget; and
54 [(B)] (b) enrollments are determined by each institution under rules and guidelines
55 established by the State Board of Regents in accordance with findings of fact that space is
56 available for the educator's enrollment.

57 [(3)] (4) Except as provided in Subsection [(4)] (5), unless suspended or revoked by the
58 board, or surrendered by the educator:
59 (a) a letter of authorization is valid for one year, or a shorter period as specified by the
60 board, subject to renewal by the board in accordance with board rules;
61 (b) a competency-based license remains valid;
62 (c) a level 1 license is valid for three years, subject to renewal by the board in
63 accordance with board rules;
64 (d) a level 2 license is valid for five years, subject to renewal by the board in
65 accordance with board rules; and
66 (e) a level 3 license is valid for seven years, subject to renewal by the board in
67 accordance with board rules.
68 [(4)] (5) Unless suspended or revoked by the board, or surrendered by the educator, a
69 level 1, level 2, level 3, or competency-based license shall remain valid if:
70 (a) the license holder is employed by a school district that has a comprehensive
71 program to maintain and improve educators' skills in which performance standards, educator
72 evaluation, and professional development are integrated; and
73 (b) the license holder complies with school or school district professional development
74 requirements.