HF 2814

1st Engrossment - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 04/01/2016 10:44am

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing a legislative study group to review the
legislative auditor's 2016 report on kindergarten through grade 12 teacher
licensure and consider how to implement the recommendations; requiring a
report from the Board of Teaching.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin LEGISLATIVE STUDY GROUP ON EDUCATOR LICENSURE.
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new text begin (a) A 12-member legislative study group on educator licensure is created to review
the 2016 "Minnesota Teacher Licensure" report prepared by the Office of the Legislative
Auditor on teacher licensing and submit a written report by February 1, 2017, to the
legislature recommending how to restructure Minnesota's teacher licensure system by
consolidating all teacher licensure activities into a single state entity to ensure transparency
and consistency or, at a minimum, by clarifying existing teacher licensure responsibilities
to provide transparency and consistency. In developing its recommendations, the study
group is encouraged to consider the tiered licensure system recommended in the legislative
auditor's report, among other recommendations. The study group is encouraged to begin
its work by consulting with teachers currently teaching in Minnesota school districts,
charter schools, and nonpublic schools and with out-of-state teachers currently licensed or
seeking a license in Minnesota. The study group is encouraged to identify and include in
its report any statutory changes needed to implement the study group recommendations.
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new text begin (b) The legislative study group on educator licensure includes:
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new text begin (1) six duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives,
three appointed by the speaker of the house and three appointed by the house of
representatives minority leader, one of whom must be the current chair of the house of
representatives Education Innovation Policy Committee; and
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new text begin (2) six duly elected and currently serving senators, three appointed by the senate
majority leader and three appointed by the senate minority leader, one of whom must be
the current chair of the senate Education Committee.
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new text begin Only duly elected and currently serving members of the house of representatives or the
senate may be study group members.
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new text begin (c) The appointments must be made by June 1, 2016, and expire February 2, 2017. If
a vacancy occurs, the leader of the caucus in the house of representatives or senate to which
the vacating study group member belonged must fill the vacancy. The chair of the house of
representatives Education Innovation Policy Committee shall convene the first meeting of
the study group. The study group shall elect a chair or cochairs from among the members
at the first meeting. The study group must meet periodically. The Legislative Coordinating
Commission shall provide technical and administrative assistance upon request.
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new text begin (d) In reviewing the legislative auditor's report and developing its recommendations,
the study group must consult with the Board of Teaching, the licensing division of the
Department of Education, the Minnesota Board of School Administrators, and interested
and affected stakeholders.
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new text begin (e) The study group expires February 2, 2017, unless extended by law.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin BOARD OF TEACHING REPORT.
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new text begin The Board of Teaching must prepare and submit a written report to the education
committees of the legislature by February 1, 2017, listing all statutory and rule requirements
on teacher preparation, examinations, and training applicable to candidates for teacher
licensure, by type of license and all statutory and rule requirements on continuing
education applicable to teachers seeking to renew a full professional teaching license.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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