HF 2950

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/10/2022 03:57pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; providing for educator support, crisis online learning, and a
short-call substitute teacher pilot; amending Minnesota Statutes 2020, section
124D.095, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2020, section 124D.095, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end

new text begin Crisis online learning. new text end

new text begin (a) "Crisis online learning" means online learning
under this section as the primary mode of instruction for all students in a school building
during a crisis learning period.
new text end

new text begin (b) "Crisis learning period" means a period of time that is the result of an unforeseeable
incident or situation such as a natural disaster, pandemic, or other catastrophic event that
creates an unsafe or untenable in-person learning environment as declared by a school
district or charter school.
new text end

new text begin (c) "Crisis online learning plan" means a plan adopted by a school board or board of
directors that describes the implementation of crisis online learning and how critical
components of education are provided during the crisis learning period. Critical components
of education include but are not limited to nutrition services in accordance with United
States Department of Agriculture regulations, how teachers will be accessible online and
by telephone during regular school hours each crisis online learning day to assist students,
accommodations for students without Internet access or insufficient digital device access
in a household, and accessible options for students with disabilities under chapter 125A and
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. A crisis online learning plan may only be
adopted by a school district after consulting with the exclusive representative of the teachers
or by a charter school after consulting with its teachers, and may include up to one
instructional day to prepare for crisis online learning and one instructional day upon the
conclusion of the crisis online learning period, not to exceed four days per school year
without approval from the commissioner. Students and families must be notified of the
crisis online learning plan before the beginning of the school year. Consistent with applicable
labor agreements, districts must utilize available staff who are able to work during the crisis
online learning period.
new text end

new text begin (d) Upon declaring a crisis learning period and providing notice to students and families
at least one day prior to the regular school start time, a school district or charter school may
implement the crisis online learning plan.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment. For
school year 2021-2022, the student and family notification requirement in subdivision 11,
paragraph (c) does not apply.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin CRISIS E-LEARNING.
new text end

new text begin (a) A school district or charter school may waive the requirements of Minnesota Statutes,
section 120A.414, subdivisions 2 and 3, and adopt up to five e-learning days during the
2021-2022 school year only. A waiver under this section still requires school districts and
charter schools to provide accommodations for students without Internet access at home
and for digital device access for families without the technology or insufficient amount of
technology or accessible options for students with disabilities under Minnesota Statutes,
chapter 125A.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section expires June 30, 2022.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 3. new text begin SHORT-CALL SUBSTITUTE TEACHER PILOT.
new text end

new text begin (a) A school district or charter school and applicant may jointly request the Professional
Educator Licensing and Standards Board approve an application for a short-call substitute
teaching license to teach in any content area. The application information must sufficiently
demonstrate the following:
new text end

new text begin (1) the applicant:
new text end

new text begin (i) holds a minimum of an associate's degree or equivalent;
new text end

new text begin (ii) is enrolled in a teacher preparatory program; or
new text end

new text begin (iii) has been employed as an education support personnel or paraprofessional, and holds
a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, within the district or charter school for
at least one academic year; and
new text end

new text begin (2) the school district or charter school:
new text end

new text begin (i) has or will provide substitute training to the individual; and
new text end

new text begin (ii) has requested a background check in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section
123B.03.
new text end

new text begin (b) The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board may issue a temporary
teaching license pending a background check under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.18,
subdivision 8, and may immediately suspend or revoke the license upon receiving background
check information. An applicant submitting an application for a short-call substitute teaching
license in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.18, subdivision 7a, paragraph
(a), must not be required to complete a joint application with a district and must not be
issued a license pending a background check under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.18,
subdivision 8.
new text end

new text begin (c) Except between June 15 and September 1, 2022, the Professional Educator Licensing
and Standards Board must issue or deny a license within five business days of receiving a
complete application. The board may prioritize short-call substitute teaching license
applications to expedite the review process.
new text end

new text begin (d) Each assignment to replace a teacher of record must last no longer than 15 consecutive
school days. An applicant under paragraph (a), clause (1), unit (ii), may only replace a
teacher of record no more than two days per school week and must receive credit toward
the hours required for student teaching.
new text end

new text begin (e) This section expires February 15, 2023.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.18, subdivision
7a, paragraph (a), this section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EDUCATOR LAPSED LICENSE INCENTIVE.
new text end

new text begin (a) If an individual's Minnesota five-year professional, Tier 3, or Tier 4 teaching license
has lapsed, the individual may be offered and may accept a teaching position. The individual
is not required to meet renewal requirements before accepting the teaching position. The
individual must activate the teaching license through the Professional Educator Licensing
and Standards Board. By June 30, 2023, the individual must meet renewal requirements for
the continuing license or the individual will no longer be able to hold the teaching position.
This option does not count toward a teacher's onetime extension during their teaching career.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section expires June 30, 2023.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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

Sec. 5. new text begin CONDITIONAL TIER 3 LICENSURE.
new text end

new text begin (a) Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.183, Minnesota Rules, part
8710.0313, or any other law to the contrary, the Professional Educator Licensing and
Standards Board must issue a one-year conditional Tier 3 license to an applicant who: (1)
completed a Minnesota teacher preparation program with a completion date between July
31, 2021, and June 30, 2025; (2) is otherwise qualified under Minnesota Statutes, section
122A.183; and (3) has not yet passed a required licensure exam under Minnesota Statutes,
section 122A.185. As a condition of receiving the Tier 3 license, the applicant must pass
the required licensure exams under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.185, within the first
year of licensure under this section. A school district or charter school that hires and employs
a teacher receiving a Tier 3 license under this section must provide support to that teacher
in working toward passing the licensure exams under Minnesota Statutes, section 122A.185.
The term of a conditional Tier 3 license under this section must be one year. The board must
waive the licensure renewal fee.
new text end

new text begin (b) This section expires June 30, 2025.
new text end