Connecticut 2024 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05436 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

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	5	+	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5436
	6	+	February Session, 2024
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4		-	Substitute House Bill No. 5436
5	10
6		-	Public Act No. 24-41
7		-
8		-
9		-	AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION, TEACHERS,
10		-	PARAEDUCATORS AND MANDATED REPORTER
11		-	REQUIREMENTS.
	11	+	AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION.
12	12		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
13	13		Assembly convened:
14	14
15		-	Section 1. Section 10-145b of the general statutes is repealed and the
16		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
17		-	(a) The State Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper
18		-	application, shall issue an initial educator certificate to any person who
19		-	(1) holds a bachelor's degree or an advanced degree from an institution
20		-	of higher education that is regionally accredited or has received an
21		-	equivalent accreditation, and (2) has [completed (A) an educator
22		-	preparation program approved by the State Board of Education or the
23		-	appropriate governing body in the state in which the institution of
24		-	higher education is located, or (B) an alternate route to certification
25		-	program approved by the State Board of Education or the appropriate
26		-	governing body in the state in which such alternate route to certification
27		-	program is located, and satisfies the requirements for a temporary
28		-	ninety-day certificate, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, or a
29		-	resident teacher certificate, pursuant to section 10-145m] successfully
30		-	completed one of the pathways described in section 6 of this act. In
31		-	addition, on and after July 1, 2018, each applicant shall have completed Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	15	+	Section 1. Section 10-145b of the general statutes is repealed and the 1
	16	+	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 2
	17	+	(a) The State Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper 3
	18	+	application, shall issue an initial educator certificate to any person who 4
	19	+	(1) holds a bachelor's degree or an advanced degree from an institution 5
	20	+	of higher education that is regionally accredited or has received an 6
	21	+	equivalent accreditation, and (2) has [completed (A) an educator 7
	22	+	preparation program approved by the State Board of Education or the 8
	23	+	appropriate governing body in the state in which the institution of 9
	24	+	higher education is located, or (B) an alternate route to certification 10
	25	+	program approved by the State Board of Education or the appropriate 11
	26	+	governing body in the state in which such alternate route to certification 12
	27	+	program is located, and satisfies the requirements for a temporary 13
	28	+	ninety-day certificate, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, or a 14
	29	+	resident teacher certificate, pursuant to section 10-145m] successfully 15
	30	+	completed one of the pathways described in section 6 of this act. In 16
	31	+	addition, on and after July 1, 2018, each applicant shall have completed 17
	32	+	a subject area major as defined by the State Board of Education, except 18
	33	+	[(i)] (A) as provided in section 10-145l, or [(ii)] (B) where an applicant 19
	34	+	achieves a satisfactory evaluation on an appropriate State Board of 20 Substitute Bill No. 5436
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33		-	Public Act No. 24-41 2 of 84
34	36
35		-	a subject area major as defined by the State Board of Education, except
36		-	[(i)] (A) as provided in section 10-145l, or [(ii)] (B) where an applicant
37		-	achieves a satisfactory evaluation on an appropriate State Board of
38		-	Education approved subject area assessment or has completed
39		-	advanced coursework in a relevant subject area. [Each] Any such initial
40		-	educator certificate issued prior to July 1, 2025, that has not expired on
41		-	or before July 1, 2025, shall be extended to be valid for a period of ten
42		-	years from the date of issuance, and any such initial educator certificate
43		-	issued on and after July 1, 2025, shall be valid for [three] ten years [,
44		-	except as provided in subsection (c) of this section,] and may be
45		-	extended by the Commissioner of Education for an additional year for
46		-	good cause upon the request of the superintendent in whose school
47		-	district such person is employed or upon the request of the assessment
48		-	team reviewing such person's performance, provided the commissioner
49		-	may not grant such extension more than three times to any person. The
50		-	commissioner may, upon application, reissue an initial educator
51		-	certificate to any person who holds, but has not served under, an initial
52		-	educator certificate, if such person can demonstrate that he or she
53		-	satisfies the preparation and eligibility requirements that were in place
54		-	at the time such initial educator certificate was originally issued to such
55		-	person.
56		-	(b) During the period of employment in a public school, a person
57		-	holding an initial educator certificate shall (1) be under the supervision
58		-	of the superintendent of schools or of a principal, administrator or
59		-	supervisor designated by such superintendent who shall regularly
60		-	observe, guide and evaluate the performance of assigned duties by such
61		-	holder of an initial certificate, and (2) participate in a beginning educator
62		-	program if there is such a program for such person's certification
63		-	endorsement area.
64		-	(c) (1) The State Board of Education, upon request of a local or
65		-	regional board of education, shall issue a temporary ninety-day Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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	39	+	Education approved subject area assessment or has completed 21
	40	+	advanced coursework in a relevant subject area. [Each] Any such initial 22
	41	+	educator certificate issued prior to July 1, 2024, that has not expired on 23
	42	+	or before July 1, 2024, shall be extended to be valid for a period of ten 24
	43	+	years from the date of issuance, and any such initial educator certificate 25
	44	+	issued on and after July 1, 2024, shall be valid for [three] ten years [, 26
	45	+	except as provided in subsection (c) of this section,] and may be 27
	46	+	extended by the Commissioner of Education for an additional year for 28
	47	+	good cause upon the request of the superintendent in whose school 29
	48	+	district such person is employed or upon the request of the assessment 30
	49	+	team reviewing such person's performance, provided the commissioner 31
	50	+	may not grant such extension more than three times to any person. The 32
	51	+	commissioner may, upon application, reissue an initial educator 33
	52	+	certificate to any person who holds, but has not served under, an initial 34
	53	+	educator certificate, if such person can demonstrate that he or she 35
	54	+	satisfies the preparation and eligibility requirements that were in place 36
	55	+	at the time such initial educator certificate was originally issued to such 37
	56	+	person. 38
	57	+	(b) During the period of employment in a public school, a person 39
	58	+	holding an initial educator certificate shall (1) be under the supervision 40
	59	+	of the superintendent of schools or of a principal, administrator or 41
	60	+	supervisor designated by such superintendent who shall regularly 42
	61	+	observe, guide and evaluate the performance of assigned duties by such 43
	62	+	holder of an initial certificate, and (2) participate in a beginning educator 44
	63	+	program if there is such a program for such person's certification 45
	64	+	endorsement area. 46
	65	+	(c) (1) The State Board of Education, upon request of a local or 47
	66	+	regional board of education, shall issue a temporary ninety-day 48
	67	+	certificate to any applicant in the certification endorsement areas of 49
	68	+	elementary education, middle grades education, secondary academic 50
	69	+	subjects, special subjects or fields, special education, early childhood 51
	70	+	education and administration and supervision, or in the certification 52
	71	+	endorsement areas corresponding to teacher shortage areas, as 53
	72	+	determined by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 10-54 Substitute Bill No. 5436
68	73
69		-	certificate to any applicant in the certification endorsement areas of
70		-	elementary education, middle grades education, secondary academic
71		-	subjects, special subjects or fields, special education, early childhood
72		-	education and administration and supervision, or in the certification
73		-	endorsement areas corresponding to teacher shortage areas, as
74		-	determined by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 10-
75		-	8b, when the following conditions are met:
76		-	(A) The employing agent of a board of education makes a written
77		-	request for the issuance of such certificate and attests to the existence of
78		-	a special plan for supervision of temporary ninety-day certificate
79		-	holders;
80		-	(B) The applicant meets the following requirements, except as
81		-	otherwise provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision:
82		-	(i) Holds a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education
83		-	accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of
84		-	Higher Education or regionally accredited with a major either in or
85		-	closely related to the certification endorsement area in which the
86		-	requesting board of education is placing the applicant or, in the case of
87		-	secondary or special subject or field endorsement area, possesses at least
88		-	the minimum total number of semester hours of credit required for the
89		-	content area, except as provided in section 10-145l;
90		-	(ii) Has met the requirements pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-
91		-	145f, as amended by this act;
92		-	(iii) Presents a written application on such forms as the
93		-	Commissioner of Education shall prescribe;
94		-	(iv) Has successfully completed an alternate route to certification
95		-	program provided by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or the
96		-	Office of Higher Education or public or independent institutions of
97		-	higher education, regional educational service centers or private teacher Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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101		-	or administrator training organizations and approved by the State
102		-	Board of Education;
103		-	(v) Possesses an undergraduate college overall grade point average
104		-	of at least "B" or, if the applicant has completed at least twenty-four
105		-	hours of graduate credit, possesses a graduate grade point average of at
106		-	least "B"; and
107		-	(vi) Presents supporting evidence of appropriate experience working
108		-	with children; and
109		-	(C) The Commissioner of Education may waive the requirements of
110		-	subparagraphs (B)(v) or (B)(vi), or both, of this subdivision upon a
111		-	showing of good cause.
112		-	(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section on
113		-	and after July 1, 1989, the State Board of Education, upon receipt of a
114		-	proper application, shall issue an initial educator certificate [, which
115		-	shall be valid for three years,] to any person who has taught successfully
116		-	while holding a temporary ninety-day certificate and meets the
117		-	requirements established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 10-
118		-	145d, as amended by this act.
119		-	(d) (1) On and after July 1, 2019, in order to be eligible to obtain an
120		-	initial educator certificate, each person shall be required to complete (A)
121		-	a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer than
122		-	thirty-six hours, which shall include (i) instruction on the growth and
123		-	development of exceptional children, including children with a
124		-	disability, gifted and talented children and children who may require
125		-	special education, and (ii) methods for identifying, planning for and
126		-	working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom,
127		-	and (B) a course or courses of study in special education relating to
128		-	instruction on classroom techniques in reading, differentiated
129		-	instruction, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive pedagogy Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	77	+	8b, when the following conditions are met: 55
	78	+	(A) The employing agent of a board of education makes a written 56
	79	+	request for the issuance of such certificate and attests to the existence of 57
	80	+	a special plan for supervision of temporary ninety-day certificate 58
	81	+	holders; 59
	82	+	(B) The applicant meets the following requirements, except as 60
	83	+	otherwise provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision: 61
	84	+	(i) Holds a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education 62
	85	+	accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of 63
	86	+	Higher Education or regionally accredited with a major either in or 64
	87	+	closely related to the certification endorsement area in which the 65
	88	+	requesting board of education is placing the applicant or, in the case of 66
	89	+	secondary or special subject or field endorsement area, possesses at least 67
	90	+	the minimum total number of semester hours of credit required for the 68
	91	+	content area, except as provided in section 10-145l; 69
	92	+	(ii) Has met the requirements pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-70
	93	+	145f, as amended by this act; 71
	94	+	(iii) Presents a written application on such forms as the 72
	95	+	Commissioner of Education shall prescribe; 73
	96	+	(iv) Has successfully completed an alternate route to certification 74
	97	+	program provided by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or the 75
	98	+	Office of Higher Education or public or independent institutions of 76
	99	+	higher education, regional educational service centers or private teacher 77
	100	+	or administrator training organizations and approved by the State 78
	101	+	Board of Education; 79
	102	+	(v) Possesses an undergraduate college overall grade point average 80
	103	+	of at least "B" or, if the applicant has completed at least twenty-four 81
	104	+	hours of graduate credit, possesses a graduate grade point average of at 82
	105	+	least "B"; and 83
	106	+	(vi) Presents supporting evidence of appropriate experience working 84 Substitute Bill No. 5436
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133		-	and practice and assistive technology. The provisions of this subdivision
134		-	shall not apply to any person who has been issued an initial educator
135		-	certificate prior to July 1, 2019.
136		-	(2) On and after July 1, 2016, in order to be eligible to obtain a
137		-	provisional educator certificate, each person shall be required to
138		-	complete a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer
139		-	than thirty-six hours, which shall include an understanding of the
140		-	growth and development of exceptional children, including children
141		-	with a disability, gifted and talented children and children who may
142		-	require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and
143		-	working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom.
144		-	(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary,
145		-	each applicant for such certificates who has met all requirements for
146		-	certification except the completion of the course in special education
147		-	shall be entitled to a certificate (A) for a period not to exceed one year,
148		-	provided the applicant completed a teacher preparation program either
149		-	in the state prior to July 1, 1987, or outside the state, or completed the
150		-	necessary combination of professional experience or coursework as
151		-	required by the State Board of Education, or (B) for a period not to
152		-	exceed two years if the applicant applies for certification in an area for
153		-	which a bachelor's degree is not required.
154		-	(e) (1) On and after July 1, 1989, and until June 30, 2025, the State
155		-	Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue a
156		-	provisional educator certificate to any person who [(1)] (A) has
157		-	successfully completed a beginning educator program and one school
158		-	year of successful teaching as attested to by the superintendent, or the
159		-	superintendent's designee, in whose local or regional school district
160		-	such person was employed, [(2)] (B) has completed at least three years
161		-	of successful teaching in a public school in another state or a nonpublic
162		-	school approved by the State Board of Education or appropriate
163		-	governing body in another state within ten years prior to application for Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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	111	+	with children; and 85
	112	+	(C) The Commissioner of Education may waive the requirements of 86
	113	+	subparagraphs (B)(v) or (B)(vi), or both, of this subdivision upon a 87
	114	+	showing of good cause. 88
	115	+	(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section on 89
	116	+	and after July 1, 1989, the State Board of Education, upon receipt of a 90
	117	+	proper application, shall issue an initial educator certificate, which shall 91
	118	+	be valid for three years, to any person who has taught successfully while 92
	119	+	holding a temporary ninety-day certificate and meets the requirements 93
	120	+	established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 10-145d, as 94
	121	+	amended by this act. 95
	122	+	(d) (1) On and after July 1, 2019, in order to be eligible to obtain an 96
	123	+	initial educator certificate, each person shall be required to complete (A) 97
	124	+	a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer than 98
	125	+	thirty-six hours, which shall include (i) instruction on the growth and 99
	126	+	development of exceptional children, including children with a 100
	127	+	disability, gifted and talented children and children who may require 101
	128	+	special education, and (ii) methods for identifying, planning for and 102
	129	+	working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom, 103
	130	+	and (B) a course or courses of study in special education relating to 104
	131	+	instruction on classroom techniques in reading, differentiated 105
	132	+	instruction, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive pedagogy 106
	133	+	and practice and assistive technology. The provisions of this subdivision 107
	134	+	shall not apply to any person who has been issued an initial educator 108
	135	+	certificate prior to July 1, 2019. 109
	136	+	(2) On and after July 1, 2016, in order to be eligible to obtain a 110
	137	+	provisional educator certificate, each person shall be required to 111
	138	+	complete a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer 112
	139	+	than thirty-six hours, which shall include an understanding of the 113
	140	+	growth and development of exceptional children, including children 114
	141	+	with a disability, gifted and talented children and children who may 115
	142	+	require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and 116 Substitute Bill No. 5436
166	143
167		-	such provisional educator certificate, as attested to by the
168		-	superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, in whose school
169		-	district such person was employed, or by the supervising agent of the
170		-	nonpublic school in which such person was employed, and has met
171		-	preparation and eligibility requirements for an initial educator
172		-	certificate, or [(3)] (C) has successfully taught with a provisional
173		-	teaching certificate for the year immediately preceding an application
174		-	for a provisional educator certificate as an employee of a local or
175		-	regional board of education or facility approved for special education
176		-	by the State Board of Education. The commissioner may, upon
177		-	application, reissue a provisional educator certificate to any person who
178		-	holds a provisional educator certificate, if such person can demonstrate
179		-	that he or she satisfies the preparation and eligibility requirements that
180		-	were in place at the time such provisional educator certificate was
181		-	originally issued to such person.
182		-	(2) The commissioner may not issue or reissue any provisional
183		-	educator certificates on or after July 1, 2025. Any person who holds a
184		-	provisional educator certificate and is not eligible to advance to the
185		-	professional educator certificate shall be eligible to be issued an initial
186		-	educator certificate.
187		-	(f) Any person holding a standard or permanent certificate on July 1,
188		-	1989, shall be eligible to receive upon application a professional
189		-	educator certificate to replace said standard or permanent certificate. On
190		-	and after July 1, 1989, standard and permanent certificates shall no
191		-	longer be valid.
192		-	(g) (1) On or after July 1, 1989, and prior to July 1, 2018, to qualify for
193		-	a professional educator certificate, a person who holds or has held a
194		-	provisional educator certificate under subsection (e) of this section shall
195		-	have completed thirty credit hours of course work beyond the
196		-	baccalaureate degree. It is not necessary that such course work be taken
197		-	for a master's degree and such work may include graduate or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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200	146
201		-	undergraduate courses.
202		-	(2) On and after July 1, 2018, and prior to July 1, 2025, to qualify for a
203		-	professional educator certificate, a person who holds or has held a
204		-	provisional educator certificate under subsection (d) of this section shall
205		-	hold a master's degree in an appropriate subject matter area, as
206		-	determined by the State Board of Education, related to such teacher's
207		-	certification endorsement area.
208		-	(3) On and after July 1, 2025, to qualify for a professional educator
209		-	certificate, a person who holds an initial educator certificate or a
210		-	provisional educator certificate shall (A) have completed at least fifty
211		-	school months of successful teaching for one or more boards of
212		-	education or approved nonpublic schools in this state while holding
213		-	such initial educator certificate or provisional educator certificate, (B)
214		-	have satisfactorily completed the teacher education and mentoring
215		-	program, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145o, and (C)
216		-	either (i) hold a master's degree or higher in an appropriate subject
217		-	matter area, or (ii) complete an alternate pathway to professional
218		-	licensure jointly approved by the State Board of Education and the
219		-	Educator Preparation and Certification Board. On and after July 1, 2025,
220		-	the state board, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue a
221		-	professional educator certificate to any person who satisfies the
222		-	qualifications described in this subdivision, except the state board may
223		-	waive the requirement described in subparagraph (C) of this
224		-	subdivision upon a showing of good cause.
225		-	[(h) (1) Unless otherwise provided in regulations adopted under
226		-	section 10-145d, in not less than three years or more than eight years
227		-	after the issuance of a provisional educator certificate pursuant to
228		-	subsection (e) of this section and upon the statement of the
229		-	superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, in whose school
230		-	district such certificate holder was employed, or the supervisory agent
231		-	of a nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Education, in Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	147	+	working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom. 117
	148	+	(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary, 118
	149	+	each applicant for such certificates who has met all requirements for 119
	150	+	certification except the completion of the course in special education 120
	151	+	shall be entitled to a certificate (A) for a period not to exceed one year, 121
	152	+	provided the applicant completed a teacher preparation program either 122
	153	+	in the state prior to July 1, 1987, or outside the state, or completed the 123
	154	+	necessary combination of professional experience or coursework as 124
	155	+	required by the State Board of Education, or (B) for a period not to 125
	156	+	exceed two years if the applicant applies for certification in an area for 126
	157	+	which a bachelor's degree is not required. 127
	158	+	(e) (1) On and after July 1, 1989, and until June 30, 2024, the State 128
	159	+	Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue a 129
	160	+	provisional educator certificate to any person who [(1)] (A) has 130
	161	+	successfully completed a beginning educator program and one school 131
	162	+	year of successful teaching as attested to by the superintendent, or the 132
	163	+	superintendent's designee, in whose local or regional school district 133
	164	+	such person was employed, [(2)] (B) has completed at least three years 134
	165	+	of successful teaching in a public school in another state or a nonpublic 135
	166	+	school approved by the State Board of Education or appropriate 136
	167	+	governing body in another state within ten years prior to application for 137
	168	+	such provisional educator certificate, as attested to by the 138
	169	+	superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, in whose school 139
	170	+	district such person was employed, or by the supervising agent of the 140
	171	+	nonpublic school in which such person was employed, and has met 141
	172	+	preparation and eligibility requirements for an initial educator 142
	173	+	certificate, or [(3)] (C) has successfully taught with a provisional 143
	174	+	teaching certificate for the year immediately preceding an application 144
	175	+	for a provisional educator certificate as an employee of a local or 145
	176	+	regional board of education or facility approved for special education 146
	177	+	by the State Board of Education. The commissioner may, upon 147
	178	+	application, reissue a provisional educator certificate to any person who 148
	179	+	holds a provisional educator certificate, if such person can demonstrate 149
	180	+	that he or she satisfies the preparation and eligibility requirements that 150 Substitute Bill No. 5436
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234	182
235		-	whose school such certificate holder was employed, that the provisional
236		-	educator certificate holder and such superintendent, or such
237		-	superintendent's designee, or supervisory agent have mutually
238		-	determined or approved an individual program pursuant to
239		-	subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section and upon the statement
240		-	of such superintendent, or such superintendent's designee, or
241		-	supervisory agent that such certificate holder has a record of
242		-	competency in the discharge of such certificate holder's duties during
243		-	such provisional period, the state board upon receipt of a proper
244		-	application shall issue such certificate holder a professional educator
245		-	certificate. A signed recommendation from the superintendent of
246		-	schools, or the superintendent's designee, for the local or regional board
247		-	of education or from the supervisory agent of a nonpublic school
248		-	approved by the State Board of Education shall be evidence of
249		-	competency. Such recommendation shall state that the person who
250		-	holds or has held a provisional educator certificate has successfully
251		-	completed at least three school years of satisfactory teaching for one or
252		-	more local or regional boards of education or such nonpublic schools.
253		-	Each applicant for a certificate pursuant to this subsection shall provide
254		-	to the Department of Education, in such manner and form as prescribed
255		-	by the commissioner, evidence that the applicant has successfully
256		-	completed coursework pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, as
257		-	appropriate.]
258		-	[(2)] (h) Each professional educator certificate shall be valid for ten
259		-	years and continued every ten years thereafter.
260		-	[(3) Except as otherwise provided in section 10-146c, upon receipt of
261		-	a proper application, the State Board of Education shall issue to a teacher
262		-	from another state, territory or possession of the United States or the
263		-	District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who (A) has
264		-	taught in another state, territory or possession of the United States or
265		-	the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for a Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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266	184
267		-	Public Act No. 24-41 9 of 84
	185	+	were in place at the time such provisional educator certificate was 151
	186	+	originally issued to such person. 152
	187	+	(2) The commissioner may not issue or reissue any provisional 153
	188	+	educator certificates on or after July 1, 2024. Any person who holds a 154
	189	+	provisional educator certificate and is not eligible to advance to the 155
	190	+	professional educator certificate shall be eligible to be issued an initial 156
	191	+	educator certificate. 157
	192	+	(f) Any person holding a standard or permanent certificate on July 1, 158
	193	+	1989, shall be eligible to receive upon application a professional 159
	194	+	educator certificate to replace said standard or permanent certificate. On 160
	195	+	and after July 1, 1989, standard and permanent certificates shall no 161
	196	+	longer be valid. 162
	197	+	(g) (1) On or after July 1, 1989, and prior to July 1, 2018, to qualify for 163
	198	+	a professional educator certificate, a person who holds or has held a 164
	199	+	provisional educator certificate under subsection (e) of this section shall 165
	200	+	have completed thirty credit hours of course work beyond the 166
	201	+	baccalaureate degree. It is not necessary that such course work be taken 167
	202	+	for a master's degree and such work may include graduate or 168
	203	+	undergraduate courses. 169
	204	+	(2) On and after July 1, 2018, and prior to July 1, 2026, to qualify for a 170
	205	+	professional educator certificate, a person who holds or has held a 171
	206	+	provisional educator certificate under subsection (d) of this section shall 172
	207	+	hold a master's degree in an appropriate subject matter area, as 173
	208	+	determined by the State Board of Education, related to such teacher's 174
	209	+	certification endorsement area. 175
	210	+	(3) On and after July 1, 2026, to qualify for a professional educator 176
	211	+	certificate, a person who holds an initial educator certificate or a 177
	212	+	provisional educator certificate shall (A) have completed at least fifty 178
	213	+	school months of successful teaching for one or more boards of 179
	214	+	education or approved nonpublic schools in this state while holding 180
	215	+	such initial educator certificate or provisional educator certificate, (B) 181
	216	+	have satisfactorily completed the teacher education and mentoring 182 Substitute Bill No. 5436
268	217
269		-	minimum of two years in the preceding ten years, (B) has received at
270		-	least two satisfactory performance evaluations while teaching in such
271		-	other state, territory or possession of the United States or the District of
272		-	Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and (C) has fulfilled
273		-	post-preparation assessments as approved by the commissioner, a
274		-	provisional educator certificate with the appropriate endorsement,
275		-	subject to the provisions of subsection (i) of this section relating to denial
276		-	of applications for certification. An applicant who has taught under an
277		-	appropriate certificate issued by another state, territory or possession of
278		-	the United States or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of
279		-	Puerto Rico for two or more years shall be exempt from completing the
280		-	beginning educator program based upon such teaching experience
281		-	upon a showing of effectiveness as a teacher, as determined by the State
282		-	Board of Education, which may include, but need not be limited to, a
283		-	demonstrated record of improving student achievement. An applicant
284		-	who has successfully completed a teacher preparation program or an
285		-	alternate route to certification program in another state, territory or
286		-	possession of the United States or the District of Columbia or the
287		-	Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and holds an appropriate certificate
288		-	issued by another state, territory or possession of the United States or
289		-	the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall not
290		-	be required to complete a course of study in special education, pursuant
291		-	to subsection (d) of this section. An applicant with two or more years of
292		-	teaching experience in this state at a nonpublic school, approved by the
293		-	State Board of Education, in the past ten years shall be exempt from
294		-	completing the beginning educator program based upon such teaching
295		-	experience upon a showing of effectiveness as a teacher, as determined
296		-	by the State Board of Education, which may include, but need not be
297		-	limited to, a demonstrated record of improving student achievement.]
298		-	(i) (1) The State Board of Education may take one or more of the
299		-	following actions, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2)
300		-	of this subsection, against a person holding a certificate, permit or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
301	218
302		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 10 of 84
	219	+	LCO 7 of 30
303	220
304		-	authorization based on conduct that occurred prior or subsequent to the
305		-	issuance of such certificate, permit or authorization: (A) Revoke the
306		-	holder's certificate, permit or authorization; (B) suspend the holder's
307		-	certificate, permit or authorization; or (C) place the holder's certificate
308		-	on probation, subject to conditions determined by the Commissioner of
309		-	Education.
310		-	(2) The State Board of Education may take any of the actions
311		-	described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of
312		-	this subsection with respect to a holder's certificate, permit or
313		-	authorization issued pursuant to sections 10-144o to 10-149, inclusive,
314		-	for any of the following reasons: (A) The holder of the certificate, permit
315		-	or authorization obtained such certificate, permit or authorization
316		-	through fraud or misrepresentation of a material fact; (B) the holder has
317		-	persistently neglected to perform the duties for which the certificate,
318		-	permit or authorization was granted; (C) the holder is professionally
319		-	unfit to perform the duties for which the certificate, permit or
320		-	authorization was granted; (D) the holder is convicted in a court of law
321		-	of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any other crime of such
322		-	nature that in the opinion of the board continued holding of a certificate,
323		-	permit or authorization by the person would impair the standing of
324		-	certificates, permits or authorizations issued by the board; or (E) other
325		-	due and sufficient cause. The State Board of Education may revoke any
326		-	certificate, permit or authorization issued pursuant to said sections if the
327		-	holder is found to have intentionally disclosed specific questions or
328		-	answers to students or otherwise improperly breached the security of
329		-	any administration of a mastery examination, pursuant to section 10-
330		-	14n. In any revocation proceeding pursuant to this section, the State
331		-	Board of Education shall have the burden of establishing the reason for
332		-	such revocation by a preponderance of the evidence. Revocation shall
333		-	be in accordance with procedures established by the State Board of
334		-	Education pursuant to chapter 54. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	221	+	program, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145m, and (C) 183
	222	+	either (i) hold a master's degree or higher in an appropriate subject 184
	223	+	matter area, or (ii) complete an alternate pathway to professional 185
	224	+	licensure jointly approved by the State Board of Education and the 186
	225	+	Educator Preparation and Certification Board. On and after July 1, 2026, 187
	226	+	the state board, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue a 188
	227	+	professional educator certificate to any person who satisfies the 189
	228	+	qualifications described in this subdivision, except the state board may 190
	229	+	waive the requirement described in subparagraph (C) of this 191
	230	+	subdivision upon a showing of good cause. 192
	231	+	[(h) (1) Unless otherwise provided in regulations adopted under 193
	232	+	section 10-145d, in not less than three years or more than eight years 194
	233	+	after the issuance of a provisional educator certificate pursuant to 195
	234	+	subsection (e) of this section and upon the statement of the 196
	235	+	superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, in whose school 197
	236	+	district such certificate holder was employed, or the supervisory agent 198
	237	+	of a nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Education, in 199
	238	+	whose school such certificate holder was employed, that the provisional 200
	239	+	educator certificate holder and such superintendent, or such 201
	240	+	superintendent's designee, or supervisory agent have mutually 202
	241	+	determined or approved an individual program pursuant to 203
	242	+	subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section and upon the statement 204
	243	+	of such superintendent, or such superintendent's designee, or 205
	244	+	supervisory agent that such certificate holder has a record of 206
	245	+	competency in the discharge of such certificate holder's duties during 207
	246	+	such provisional period, the state board upon receipt of a proper 208
	247	+	application shall issue such certificate holder a professional educator 209
	248	+	certificate. A signed recommendation from the superintendent of 210
	249	+	schools, or the superintendent's designee, for the local or regional board 211
	250	+	of education or from the supervisory agent of a nonpublic school 212
	251	+	approved by the State Board of Education shall be evidence of 213
	252	+	competency. Such recommendation shall state that the person who 214
	253	+	holds or has held a provisional educator certificate has successfully 215
	254	+	completed at least three school years of satisfactory teaching for one or 216 Substitute Bill No. 5436
335	255
336		-	Public Act No. 24-41 11 of 84
337	256
338		-	(3) When the Commissioner of Education is notified, pursuant to
339		-	section 10-149a, as amended by this act, or 17a-101i, as amended by this
340		-	act, that a person holding a certificate, permit or authorization issued by
341		-	the State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to
342		-	10-149, inclusive, has been convicted of (A) a capital felony, under the
343		-	provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012, (B) arson
344		-	murder, pursuant to section 53a-54d, (C) a class A felony, (D) a class B
345		-	felony, except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-291, (E) a
346		-	crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described in section
347		-	46b-120, or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as amended by
348		-	this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-
349		-	73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 53a-196, 53a-
350		-	196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or subsection (a) of section 21a-277,
351		-	any certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board of
352		-	Education and held by such person shall be deemed revoked and the
353		-	commissioner shall notify such person of such revocation, provided
354		-	such person may request reconsideration pursuant to regulations
355		-	adopted by the State Board of Education, in accordance with the
356		-	provisions of chapter 54. As part of such reconsideration process, the
357		-	board shall make the initial determination as to whether to uphold or
358		-	overturn the revocation. The commissioner shall make the final
359		-	determination as to whether to uphold or overturn the revocation.
360		-	(4) The State Board of Education may deny an application for the
361		-	initial issuance or renewal of a certificate, permit or authorization for
362		-	any of the following reasons: (A) The applicant seeks to obtain a
363		-	certificate, permit or authorization through fraud or misrepresentation
364		-	of a material fact; (B) the applicant has been convicted in a court of law
365		-	of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any other crime of such
366		-	nature that in the opinion of the board issuance of a certificate, permit
367		-	or authorization would impair the standing of certificates, permits or
368		-	authorizations issued by the board; or (C) other due and sufficient cause.
369		-	Any applicant denied a certificate, permit or authorization shall be Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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370	258
371		-	Public Act No. 24-41 12 of 84
	259	+	more local or regional boards of education or such nonpublic schools. 217
	260	+	Each applicant for a certificate pursuant to this subsection shall provide 218
	261	+	to the Department of Education, in such manner and form as prescribed 219
	262	+	by the commissioner, evidence that the applicant has successfully 220
	263	+	completed coursework pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, as 221
	264	+	appropriate.] 222
	265	+	[(2)] (h) Each professional educator certificate shall be valid for ten 223
	266	+	years and continued every ten years thereafter. 224
	267	+	[(3) Except as otherwise provided in section 10-146c, upon receipt of 225
	268	+	a proper application, the State Board of Education shall issue to a teacher 226
	269	+	from another state, territory or possession of the United States or the 227
	270	+	District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who (A) has 228
	271	+	taught in another state, territory or possession of the United States or 229
	272	+	the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for a 230
	273	+	minimum of two years in the preceding ten years, (B) has received at 231
	274	+	least two satisfactory performance evaluations while teaching in such 232
	275	+	other state, territory or possession of the United States or the District of 233
	276	+	Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and (C) has fulfilled 234
	277	+	post-preparation assessments as approved by the commissioner, a 235
	278	+	provisional educator certificate with the appropriate endorsement, 236
	279	+	subject to the provisions of subsection (i) of this section relating to denial 237
	280	+	of applications for certification. An applicant who has taught under an 238
	281	+	appropriate certificate issued by another state, territory or possession of 239
	282	+	the United States or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of 240
	283	+	Puerto Rico for two or more years shall be exempt from completing the 241
	284	+	beginning educator program based upon such teaching experience 242
	285	+	upon a showing of effectiveness as a teacher, as determined by the State 243
	286	+	Board of Education, which may include, but need not be limited to, a 244
	287	+	demonstrated record of improving student achievement. An applicant 245
	288	+	who has successfully completed a teacher preparation program or an 246
	289	+	alternate route to certification program in another state, territory or 247
	290	+	possession of the United States or the District of Columbia or the 248
	291	+	Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and holds an appropriate certificate 249
	292	+	issued by another state, territory or possession of the United States or 250 Substitute Bill No. 5436
372	293
373		-	notified in writing of the reasons for denial. Any applicant denied a
374		-	certificate, permit or authorization may request a review of such denial
375		-	by the State Board of Education.
376		-	(5) A person whose certificate, permit or authorization has been
377		-	denied, revoked or suspended may not be employed in a public school
378		-	during the period of denial, revocation or suspension. A person whose
379		-	certificate, permit or authorization has been placed on probation may be
380		-	employed in a public school during the period of probation in
381		-	accordance with the terms of such probation.
382		-	(6) The State Board of Education may take any of the actions
383		-	described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of
384		-	this subsection, with respect to an applicant's or holder's certificate,
385		-	permit or authorization a result of the applicant or holder having been
386		-	subject to disciplinary action for any of the reasons described in
387		-	subdivision (2) of this subsection by a duly authorized professional
388		-	disciplinary agency of any state, a federal governmental agency, the
389		-	District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory or a foreign
390		-	jurisdiction. The State Board of Education may rely upon the findings
391		-	and conclusions made by a duly authorized professional disciplinary
392		-	agency of any state, a federal governmental agency, the District of
393		-	Columbia, a United States possession or territory or foreign jurisdiction
394		-	in taking such action.
395		-	(7) Any local or regional board of education or private special
396		-	education facility approved by the commissioner shall report to the
397		-	commissioner when an employee, who holds a certificate, permit or
398		-	authorization, is dismissed pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (d)
399		-	of section 10-151.
400		-	(8) The State Board of Education may, pursuant to chapter 54, adopt
401		-	or revise regulations relating to the procedure by which the State Board
402		-	of Education may take any of the actions described in subparagraphs Substitute House Bill No. 5436
403	294
404		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 13 of 84
	295	+	LCO 9 of 30
405	296
406		-	(A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
407		-	(j) Not later than thirty days after receipt of notification, any initial
408		-	educator certificate holder who is not granted a provisional educator
409		-	certificate, or any provisional educator certificate holder who is not
410		-	granted a professional educator certificate, or any professional educator
411		-	certificate holder who is not granted a continuation, under the
412		-	provisions of sections 10-145a to 10-145d, inclusive, as amended by this
413		-	act, and 10-146b, may appeal to the State Board of Education for
414		-	reconsideration. Said board shall review the records of the appropriate
415		-	certification period, and, if a hearing is requested in writing, hold such
416		-	hearing not later than sixty days after such request and render a written
417		-	decision not later than thirty days after the conclusion of such hearing.
418		-	Any teacher aggrieved by the decision of said board may appeal from
419		-	such decision in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183 and
420		-	such appeal shall be privileged with respect to assignment of such
421		-	appeal.
422		-	(k) For the purposes of this section "supervisory agent" means the
423		-	superintendent of schools or the principal, administrator or supervisor
424		-	designated by such superintendent to provide direct supervision to a
425		-	provisional certificate holder.
426		-	(l) Upon application to the State Board of Education for the issuance
427		-	of any certificate in accordance with this section and section 10-145d, as
428		-	amended by this act, there shall be paid to the board by or on behalf of
429		-	the applicant a nonreturnable fee of two hundred dollars in the case of
430		-	an applicant for an initial educator certificate, two hundred fifty dollars
431		-	in the case of an applicant for a provisional educator certificate and three
432		-	hundred seventy-five dollars in the case of an applicant for a
433		-	professional educator certificate, except that applicants for certificates
434		-	for teaching adult education programs mandated under subparagraph
435		-	(A) of subsection (a) of section 10-69 shall pay a fee of one hundred
436		-	dollars; persons eligible for a certificate or endorsement for which the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	297	+	the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall not 251
	298	+	be required to complete a course of study in special education, pursuant 252
	299	+	to subsection (d) of this section. An applicant with two or more years of 253
	300	+	teaching experience in this state at a nonpublic school, approved by the 254
	301	+	State Board of Education, in the past ten years shall be exempt from 255
	302	+	completing the beginning educator program based upon such teaching 256
	303	+	experience upon a showing of effectiveness as a teacher, as determined 257
	304	+	by the State Board of Education, which may include, but need not be 258
	305	+	limited to, a demonstrated record of improving student achievement.] 259
	306	+	(i) (1) The State Board of Education may take one or more of the 260
	307	+	following actions, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) 261
	308	+	of this subsection, against a person holding a certificate, permit or 262
	309	+	authorization based on conduct that occurred prior or subsequent to the 263
	310	+	issuance of such certificate, permit or authorization: (A) Revoke the 264
	311	+	holder's certificate, permit or authorization; (B) suspend the holder's 265
	312	+	certificate, permit or authorization; or (C) place the holder's certificate 266
	313	+	on probation, subject to conditions determined by the Commissioner of 267
	314	+	Education. 268
	315	+	(2) The State Board of Education may take any of the actions 269
	316	+	described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of 270
	317	+	this subsection with respect to a holder's certificate, permit or 271
	318	+	authorization issued pursuant to sections 10-144o to 10-149, inclusive, 272
	319	+	for any of the following reasons: (A) The holder of the certificate, permit 273
	320	+	or authorization obtained such certificate, permit or authorization 274
	321	+	through fraud or misrepresentation of a material fact; (B) the holder has 275
	322	+	persistently neglected to perform the duties for which the certificate, 276
	323	+	permit or authorization was granted; (C) the holder is professionally 277
	324	+	unfit to perform the duties for which the certificate, permit or 278
	325	+	authorization was granted; (D) the holder is convicted in a court of law 279
	326	+	of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any other crime of such 280
	327	+	nature that in the opinion of the board continued holding of a certificate, 281
	328	+	permit or authorization by the person would impair the standing of 282
	329	+	certificates, permits or authorizations issued by the board; or (E) other 283
	330	+	due and sufficient cause. The State Board of Education may revoke any 284 Substitute Bill No. 5436
437	331
438		-	Public Act No. 24-41 14 of 84
439	332
440		-	fee is less than that applied for shall receive an appropriate refund;
441		-	persons not eligible for any certificate shall receive a refund of the
442		-	application fee minus fifty dollars; and persons holding standard or
443		-	permanent certificates on July 1, 1989, who apply for professional
444		-	certificates to replace the standard or permanent certificates, shall not be
445		-	required to pay such a fee. Upon application to the State Board of
446		-	Education for the issuance of a subject area endorsement there shall be
447		-	paid to the board by or on behalf of such applicant a nonreturnable fee
448		-	of one hundred dollars. With each request for a duplicate copy of any
449		-	such certificate or endorsement there shall be paid to the board a
450		-	nonreturnable fee of fifty dollars.
451		-	Sec. 2. Subsection (f) of section 10-145d of the 2024 supplement to the
452		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
453		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
454		-	(f) (1) (A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B) of this
455		-	subdivision, (i) an endorsement issued prior to July 1, 2013, to teach
456		-	elementary education grades one to six, inclusive, shall be valid for
457		-	grades kindergarten to six, inclusive, and (ii) for the period commencing
458		-	July 1, 2013, until June 30, 2025, for such an endorsement issued [on or
459		-	after] between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2025, the endorsement shall be
460		-	valid for grades one to six, inclusive, except such an endorsement issued
461		-	between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2017, to any student who was admitted
462		-	to and successfully completes a teacher preparation program, as defined
463		-	in section 10-10a, in the certification endorsement area of elementary
464		-	education on or before June 30, 2017, shall be valid for grades
465		-	kindergarten to six, inclusive.
466		-	(B) The Commissioner of Education may permit, upon the request of
467		-	a superintendent, any person who holds such endorsement issued [on
468		-	or after] between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2025, to teach kindergarten
469		-	for one school year. The commissioner may, upon the request of such
470		-	superintendent, permit such person who so taught kindergarten under Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	333	+	LCO 10 of 30
471	334
472		-	Public Act No. 24-41 15 of 84
	335	+	certificate, permit or authorization issued pursuant to said sections if the 285
	336	+	holder is found to have intentionally disclosed specific questions or 286
	337	+	answers to students or otherwise improperly breached the security of 287
	338	+	any administration of a mastery examination, pursuant to section 10-288
	339	+	14n. In any revocation proceeding pursuant to this section, the State 289
	340	+	Board of Education shall have the burden of establishing the reason for 290
	341	+	such revocation by a preponderance of the evidence. Revocation shall 291
	342	+	be in accordance with procedures established by the State Board of 292
	343	+	Education pursuant to chapter 54. 293
	344	+	(3) When the Commissioner of Education is notified, pursuant to 294
	345	+	section 10-149a or 17a-101i, that a person holding a certificate, permit or 295
	346	+	authorization issued by the State Board of Education under the 296
	347	+	provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-149, inclusive, has been convicted of 297
	348	+	(A) a capital felony, under the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect 298
	349	+	prior to April 25, 2012, (B) arson murder, pursuant to section 53a-54d, 299
	350	+	(C) a class A felony, (D) a class B felony, except a violation of section 300
	351	+	53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-291, (E) a crime involving an act of child abuse 301
	352	+	or neglect as described in section 46b-120, or (F) a violation of section 302
	353	+	17a-101a, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-303
	354	+	73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 53a-196, 53a-304
	355	+	196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or subsection (a) of section 21a-277, 305
	356	+	any certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board of 306
	357	+	Education and held by such person shall be deemed revoked and the 307
	358	+	commissioner shall notify such person of such revocation, provided 308
	359	+	such person may request reconsideration pursuant to regulations 309
	360	+	adopted by the State Board of Education, in accordance with the 310
	361	+	provisions of chapter 54. As part of such reconsideration process, the 311
	362	+	board shall make the initial determination as to whether to uphold or 312
	363	+	overturn the revocation. The commissioner shall make the final 313
	364	+	determination as to whether to uphold or overturn the revocation. 314
	365	+	(4) The State Board of Education may deny an application for the 315
	366	+	initial issuance or renewal of a certificate, permit or authorization for 316
	367	+	any of the following reasons: (A) The applicant seeks to obtain a 317
	368	+	certificate, permit or authorization through fraud or misrepresentation 318 Substitute Bill No. 5436
473	369
474		-	such endorsement for one school year to teach kindergarten an
475		-	additional school year.
476		-	(C) An endorsement to teach elementary education grades one to six,
477		-	inclusive, or an endorsement to teach elementary education grades
478		-	kindergarten to six, inclusive, issued prior to July 1, 2025, shall be valid
479		-	for grades prekindergarten to six, inclusive.
480		-	(D) An endorsement to teach elementary education issued on and
481		-	after July 1, 2025, shall be valid for grades prekindergarten to six,
482		-	inclusive.
483		-	(2) An endorsement to teach comprehensive special education grades
484		-	one to twelve, inclusive, shall be valid for grades prekindergarten to
485		-	twelve, inclusive. On and after September 1, 2013, any (A) certified
486		-	employee applying for a comprehensive special education
487		-	endorsement, or (B) applicant for an initial, provisional or professional
488		-	educator certificate and a comprehensive special education
489		-	endorsement shall achieve a satisfactory score on the reading instruction
490		-	examination approved by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2009,
491		-	or a comparable reading instruction examination with minimum
492		-	standards that are equivalent to the examination approved by the State
493		-	Board of Education on April 1, 2009.
494		-	(3) On and after July 1, 2024, the following endorsements issued prior
495		-	to or on or after July 1, 2024, and for grades seven to twelve, inclusive,
496		-	shall be valid for grades four to twelve, inclusive: Biology, business,
497		-	chemistry, earth science, English, French, German, general science,
498		-	history and social studies, Italian, Latin and classical humanities,
499		-	Mandarin Chinese, mathematics, Portuguese, physics, Russian, Spanish
500		-	and any other world language.
501		-	Sec. 3. Section 10-145a of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
502		-	is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July Substitute House Bill No. 5436
503	370
504		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 16 of 84
	371	+	LCO 11 of 30
505	372
506		-	1, 2024):
507		-	(a) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to
508		-	professional certification shall be encouraged to successfully complete
509		-	an intergroup relations component of such a program which shall be
510		-	developed with the participation of both sexes, and persons of various
511		-	ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. Such intergroup relations
512		-	program shall have the following objectives: (1) The imparting of an
513		-	appreciation of the contributions to American civilization of the various
514		-	ethnic, cultural and economic groups composing American society and
515		-	an understanding of the life styles of such groups; (2) the counteracting
516		-	of biases, discrimination and prejudices; and (3) the assurance of respect
517		-	for human diversity and personal rights. The State Board of Education,
518		-	the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Commission on Human
519		-	Rights and Opportunities and the Commission on Women, Children,
520		-	Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall establish a joint committee
521		-	composed of members of the four agencies, which shall develop and
522		-	implement such programs in intergroup relations.
523		-	(b) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to
524		-	professional certification shall be encouraged to complete a (1) health
525		-	component of such a program, which includes, but need not be limited
526		-	to, human growth and development, nutrition, first aid, disease
527		-	prevention and community and consumer health, and (2) mental health
528		-	component of such a program, which includes, but need not be limited
529		-	to, youth suicide, child abuse and alcohol and drug abuse.
530		-	(c) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to
531		-	professional certification shall complete a school violence, bullying, as
532		-	defined in section 10-222d, as amended by this act, and suicide
533		-	prevention and conflict resolution component of such a program.
534		-	(d) On and after July 1, 2020, any program of teacher preparation
535		-	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	373	+	of a material fact; (B) the applicant has been convicted in a court of law 319
	374	+	of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any other crime of such 320
	375	+	nature that in the opinion of the board issuance of a certificate, permit 321
	376	+	or authorization would impair the standing of certificates, permits or 322
	377	+	authorizations issued by the board; or (C) other due and sufficient cause. 323
	378	+	Any applicant denied a certificate, permit or authorization shall be 324
	379	+	notified in writing of the reasons for denial. Any applicant denied a 325
	380	+	certificate, permit or authorization may request a review of such denial 326
	381	+	by the State Board of Education. 327
	382	+	(5) A person whose certificate, permit or authorization has been 328
	383	+	denied, revoked or suspended may not be employed in a public school 329
	384	+	during the period of denial, revocation or suspension. A person whose 330
	385	+	certificate, permit or authorization has been placed on probation may be 331
	386	+	employed in a public school during the period of probation in 332
	387	+	accordance with the terms of such probation. 333
	388	+	(6) The State Board of Education may take any of the actions 334
	389	+	described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of 335
	390	+	this subsection, with respect to an applicant's or holder's certificate, 336
	391	+	permit or authorization a result of the applicant or holder having been 337
	392	+	subject to disciplinary action for any of the reasons described in 338
	393	+	subdivision (2) of this subsection by a duly authorized professional 339
	394	+	disciplinary agency of any state, a federal governmental agency, the 340
	395	+	District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory or a foreign 341
	396	+	jurisdiction. The State Board of Education may rely upon the findings 342
	397	+	and conclusions made by a duly authorized professional disciplinary 343
	398	+	agency of any state, a federal governmental agency, the District of 344
	399	+	Columbia, a United States possession or territory or foreign jurisdiction 345
	400	+	in taking such action. 346
	401	+	(7) Any local or regional board of education or private special 347
	402	+	education facility approved by the commissioner shall report to the 348
	403	+	commissioner when an employee, who holds a certificate, permit or 349
	404	+	authorization, is dismissed pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (d) 350
	405	+	of section 10-151. 351 Substitute Bill No. 5436
536	406
537		-	Public Act No. 24-41 17 of 84
538	407
539		-	curriculum, instruction in computer science, and instruction in
540		-	information technology skills as applied to student learning and
541		-	classroom instruction that are grade-level and subject area appropriate.
542		-	(e) On and after July 1, 2006, any program of teacher preparation
543		-	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the
544		-	curriculum, instruction in literacy skills and processes that reflects
545		-	current research and best practices in the field of literacy training. Such
546		-	instruction shall (1) be incorporated into requirements of student major
547		-	and concentration, and (2) on and after July 1, 2015, include not fewer
548		-	than twelve clock hours of instruction in the detection and recognition
549		-	of, and evidence-based structured literacy interventions for, students
550		-	with dyslexia, as defined in section 10-3d.
551		-	(f) On and after July 1, 2006, any program of teacher preparation
552		-	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the
553		-	curriculum, instruction in the concepts of second language learning and
554		-	second language acquisition and processes that reflects current research
555		-	and best practices in the field of second language learning and second
556		-	language acquisition. Such instruction shall be incorporated into
557		-	requirements of student major and concentration.
558		-	(g) On and after July 1, 2011, any program of teacher preparation
559		-	leading to professional certification may permit teaching experience in
560		-	a nonpublic school, approved by the State Board of Education, and
561		-	offered through a public or private institution of higher education to
562		-	count towards the preparation and eligibility requirements for an initial
563		-	educator certificate, provided such teaching experience is completed as
564		-	part of a cooperating teacher program, in accordance with the
565		-	provisions of subsection (d) of section 10-220a.
566		-	(h) On and after July 1, 2019, any candidate entering a program of
567		-	teacher preparation leading to professional certification shall be
568		-	required to complete training in competency areas contained in the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	408	+	LCO 12 of 30
569	409
570		-	Public Act No. 24-41 18 of 84
	410	+	(8) The State Board of Education may, pursuant to chapter 54, adopt 352
	411	+	or revise regulations relating to the procedure by which the State Board 353
	412	+	of Education may take any of the actions described in subparagraphs 354
	413	+	(A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of this subsection. 355
	414	+	(j) Not later than thirty days after receipt of notification, any initial 356
	415	+	educator certificate holder who is not granted a provisional educator 357
	416	+	certificate, or any provisional educator certificate holder who is not 358
	417	+	granted a professional educator certificate, or any professional educator 359
	418	+	certificate holder who is not granted a continuation, under the 360
	419	+	provisions of sections 10-145a to 10-145d, inclusive, as amended by this 361
	420	+	act, and 10-146b, may appeal to the State Board of Education for 362
	421	+	reconsideration. Said board shall review the records of the appropriate 363
	422	+	certification period, and, if a hearing is requested in writing, hold such 364
	423	+	hearing not later than sixty days after such request and render a written 365
	424	+	decision not later than thirty days after the conclusion of such hearing. 366
	425	+	Any teacher aggrieved by the decision of said board may appeal from 367
	426	+	such decision in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183 and 368
	427	+	such appeal shall be privileged with respect to assignment of such 369
	428	+	appeal. 370
	429	+	(k) For the purposes of this section "supervisory agent" means the 371
	430	+	superintendent of schools or the principal, administrator or supervisor 372
	431	+	designated by such superintendent to provide direct supervision to a 373
	432	+	provisional certificate holder. 374
	433	+	(l) Upon application to the State Board of Education for the issuance 375
	434	+	of any certificate in accordance with this section and section 10-145d, as 376
	435	+	amended by this act, there shall be paid to the board by or on behalf of 377
	436	+	the applicant a nonreturnable fee of two hundred dollars in the case of 378
	437	+	an applicant for an initial educator certificate, two hundred fifty dollars 379
	438	+	in the case of an applicant for a provisional educator certificate and three 380
	439	+	hundred seventy-five dollars in the case of an applicant for a 381
	440	+	professional educator certificate, except that applicants for certificates 382
	441	+	for teaching adult education programs mandated under subparagraph 383
	442	+	(A) of subsection (a) of section 10-69 shall pay a fee of one hundred 384 Substitute Bill No. 5436
571	443
572		-	professional teaching standards established by the State Board of
573		-	Education, including, but not limited to, development and
574		-	characteristics of learners, evidence-based and standards-based
575		-	instruction, evidence-based classroom and behavior management,
576		-	assessment and professional behaviors and responsibilities and the
577		-	awareness and identification of the unique learning style of gifted and
578		-	talented children, social and emotional development and learning of
579		-	children, and culturally responsive pedagogy and practice. The training
580		-	in social and emotional development and learning of children shall
581		-	include instruction concerning a comprehensive, coordinated social and
582		-	emotional assessment and early intervention for children displaying
583		-	behaviors associated with social or emotional problems, the availability
584		-	of treatment services for such children and referring such children for
585		-	assessment, intervention or treatment services. The training in culturally
586		-	responsive pedagogy and practice shall include instruction concerning
587		-	the awareness of students' background and experience that lead to the
588		-	development of skills, knowledge and behaviors that enable educators
589		-	and students to build positive relationships and work effectively in
590		-	cross-cultural situations.
591		-	(i) On and after July 1, 2023, any program of teacher preparation
592		-	leading to professional certification shall require, as part of the
593		-	curriculum, clinical experience, field experience or student teaching
594		-	experience in a classroom during four semesters of such program of
595		-	teacher preparation. Such clinical experience, field experience or student
596		-	teaching experience may include a cooperating teacher serving as a
597		-	mentor to student teachers.
598		-	(j) On and after July 1, 2012, any program of teacher preparation
599		-	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the
600		-	curriculum, instruction in the implementation of student individualized
601		-	education programs as it relates to the provision of special education
602		-	and related services, including, but not limited to, the provision of Substitute House Bill No. 5436
603	444
604		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 19 of 84
	445	+	LCO 13 of 30
605	446
606		-	services to gifted and talented children.
607		-	(k) On and after July 1, 2025, any program of teacher preparation
608		-	leading to professional certification in the endorsement area of
609		-	elementary education shall also be aligned with any professional
610		-	standards and competencies for early childhood educators developed
611		-	by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
612		-	Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) On and after July 1, 2024, any
613		-	person who holds an initial educator certificate, a provisional educator
614		-	certificate or a professional educator certificate, and whose endorsement
615		-	has been revised pursuant to section 10-145d of the general statutes, as
616		-	amended by this act, shall not be required to submit an application for
617		-	the issuance of any such revised endorsement and shall be allowed to
618		-	provide instruction in any course in which the subject matter content of
619		-	such course corresponds with such revised endorsement. On and after
620		-	July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall assign such revised
621		-	endorsement upon the issuance or reissuance of any professional
622		-	educator certificate.
623		-	Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 10-145f of the general statutes is
624		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
625		-	2024):
626		-	(b) (1) Any person who does not hold a valid certificate pursuant to
627		-	section 10-145b, as amended by this act, shall achieve a satisfactory
628		-	evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education approved
629		-	subject area assessment in order to be eligible for a certificate pursuant
630		-	to said section unless such assessment has not been approved by the
631		-	State Board of Education at the time of application, in which case the
632		-	applicant shall not be denied a certificate solely because of the lack of an
633		-	evaluation on such assessment.
634		-	(2) Any person applying for an additional certification endorsement Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	447	+	dollars; persons eligible for a certificate or endorsement for which the 385
	448	+	fee is less than that applied for shall receive an appropriate refund; 386
	449	+	persons not eligible for any certificate shall receive a refund of the 387
	450	+	application fee minus fifty dollars; and persons holding standard or 388
	451	+	permanent certificates on July 1, 1989, who apply for professional 389
	452	+	certificates to replace the standard or permanent certificates, shall not be 390
	453	+	required to pay such a fee. Upon application to the State Board of 391
	454	+	Education for the issuance of a subject area endorsement there shall be 392
	455	+	paid to the board by or on behalf of such applicant a nonreturnable fee 393
	456	+	of one hundred dollars. With each request for a duplicate copy of any 394
	457	+	such certificate or endorsement there shall be paid to the board a 395
	458	+	nonreturnable fee of fifty dollars. 396
	459	+	Sec. 2. Subsection (f) of section 10-145d of the 2024 supplement to the 397
	460	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 398
	461	+	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 399
	462	+	[(f) (1) (A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B) of this 400
	463	+	subdivision, an endorsement issued prior to July 1, 2013, to teach 401
	464	+	elementary education grades one to six, inclusive, shall be valid for 402
	465	+	grades kindergarten to six, inclusive, and for such an endorsement 403
	466	+	issued on or after July 1, 2013, the endorsement shall be valid for grades 404
	467	+	one to six, inclusive, except such an endorsement issued between July 1, 405
	468	+	2013, and July 1, 2017, to any student who was admitted to and 406
	469	+	successfully completes a teacher preparation program, as defined in 407
	470	+	section 10-10a, in the certification endorsement area of elementary 408
	471	+	education on or before June 30, 2017, shall be valid for grades 409
	472	+	kindergarten to six, inclusive. 410
	473	+	(B) The Commissioner of Education may permit, upon the request of 411
	474	+	a superintendent, any person who holds such endorsement issued on or 412
	475	+	after July 1, 2017, to teach kindergarten for one school year. The 413
	476	+	commissioner may, upon the request of such superintendent, permit 414
	477	+	such person who so taught kindergarten under such endorsement for 415
	478	+	one school year to teach kindergarten an additional school year.] 416 Substitute Bill No. 5436
635	479
636		-	Public Act No. 24-41 20 of 84
637	480
638		-	shall achieve a satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of
639		-	Education approved subject area assessment in order to be eligible for
640		-	such additional endorsement, unless such assessment has not been
641		-	approved by the State Board of Education at the time of application, in
642		-	which case the applicant shall not be denied the additional endorsement
643		-	solely because of the lack of an evaluation on such assessment.
644		-	(3) On and after July 1, 1992, any teacher who held a valid teaching
645		-	certificate but whose certificate lapsed and who had completed all
646		-	requirements for the issuance of a new certificate pursuant to section 10-
647		-	145b, as amended by this act, except for filing an application for such
648		-	certificate, prior to the date on which the lapse occurred, may file, within
649		-	one year of the date on which the lapse occurred, an application with
650		-	the Commissioner of Education for the issuance of such certificate.
651		-	Upon the filing of such an application, the commissioner may grant such
652		-	certificate and such certificate shall be retroactive to the date on which
653		-	the lapse occurred, provided the commissioner finds that the lapse of
654		-	the certificate occurred as a result of a hardship or extenuating
655		-	circumstances beyond the control of the applicant. If such teacher has
656		-	attained tenure and is reemployed by the same board of education in
657		-	any equivalent unfilled position for which the person is qualified as a
658		-	result of the issuance of a certificate pursuant to this subdivision, the
659		-	lapse period shall not constitute a break in employment for such person
660		-	reemployed and shall be used for the purpose of calculating continuous
661		-	employment pursuant to section 10-151. If such teacher has not attained
662		-	tenure, the time unemployed due to the lapse of a certificate shall not be
663		-	counted toward tenure, except that if such teacher is reemployed by the
664		-	same board of education as a result of the issuance of a certificate
665		-	pursuant to this subdivision, such teacher may count the previous
666		-	continuous employment immediately prior to the lapse towards tenure.
667		-	Using information provided by the Teachers' Retirement Board, the
668		-	Department of Education shall annually notify each local or regional
669		-	board of education of the name of each teacher employed by such board Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	481	+	LCO 14 of 30
670	482
671		-	Public Act No. 24-41 21 of 84
	483	+	(f) (1) (A) An endorsement to teach elementary education grades one 417
	484	+	to six, inclusive, issued prior to July 1, 2024, shall be valid for grades 418
	485	+	prekindergarten to six, inclusive. 419
	486	+	(B) An endorsement to teach elementary education issued on and 420
	487	+	after July 1, 2024, shall be valid for grades prekindergarten to six, 421
	488	+	inclusive. 422
	489	+	(2) An endorsement to teach comprehensive special education grades 423
	490	+	one to twelve, inclusive, shall be valid for grades prekindergarten to 424
	491	+	twelve, inclusive. On and after September 1, 2013, any (A) certified 425
	492	+	employee applying for a comprehensive special education 426
	493	+	endorsement, or (B) applicant for an initial, provisional or professional 427
	494	+	educator certificate and a comprehensive special education 428
	495	+	endorsement shall achieve a satisfactory score on the reading instruction 429
	496	+	examination approved by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2009, 430
	497	+	or a comparable reading instruction examination with minimum 431
	498	+	standards that are equivalent to the examination approved by the State 432
	499	+	Board of Education on April 1, 2009. 433
	500	+	(3) On and after July 1, 2024, the following endorsements issued prior 434
	501	+	to or on or after July 1, 2024, and for grades seven to twelve, inclusive, 435
	502	+	shall be valid for grades four to twelve, inclusive: Biology, business, 436
	503	+	chemistry, earth science, English, French, German, general science, 437
	504	+	history and social studies, Italian, Latin and classical humanities, 438
	505	+	Mandarin Chinese, mathematics, Portuguese, physics, Russian, Spanish 439
	506	+	and any other world language. 440
	507	+	Sec. 3. Section 10-145a of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes 441
	508	+	is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 442
	509	+	1, 2024): 443
	510	+	(a) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to 444
	511	+	professional certification shall be encouraged to successfully complete 445
	512	+	an intergroup relations component of such a program which shall be 446
	513	+	developed with the participation of both sexes, and persons of various 447
	514	+	ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. Such intergroup relations 448 Substitute Bill No. 5436
672	515
673		-	of education whose provisional certificate will expire during the period
674		-	of twelve months following such notice. Upon receipt of such notice the
675		-	superintendent of each local and regional board of education shall
676		-	notify each such teacher in writing, at such teacher's last-known
677		-	address, that the teacher's provisional certificate will expire.
678		-	(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary,
679		-	to be eligible for a certificate to teach subjects for which a bachelor's
680		-	degree is not required, any applicant who is otherwise eligible for
681		-	certification in such endorsement areas shall be entitled to a certificate
682		-	without having met the requirements of the competency examination
683		-	and subject area assessment pursuant to this subsection for a period not
684		-	to exceed two years, except that for a certificate to teach skilled trades
685		-	or trade-related or occupational subjects, the commissioner may waive
686		-	the requirement that the applicant take the competency examination.
687		-	The commissioner may, upon the showing of good cause, extend the
688		-	certificate.
689		-	(5) On and after July 1, 2011, any person applying for a certification
690		-	in the endorsement area of elementary education shall achieve a
691		-	satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education
692		-	approved mathematics assessment in order to be eligible for such
693		-	elementary education endorsement.
694		-	(6) On and after July 1, 2018, any person who holds an initial,
695		-	provisional or professional educator certificate and achieves a
696		-	satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education
697		-	approved subject area assessment shall be issued a cross endorsement
698		-	in the relevant certification endorsement area corresponding to a
699		-	teacher shortage area, as determined by the Commissioner of Education
700		-	pursuant to section 10-8b.
701		-	(7) On and after July 1, 2024, any person who holds an initial educator
702		-	certificate, a provisional educator certificate or a professional educator Substitute House Bill No. 5436
703	516
704		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 22 of 84
	517	+	LCO 15 of 30
705	518
706		-	certificate and achieves a satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate
707		-	State Board of Education approved subject area assessment shall be
708		-	issued a cross endorsement in the relevant certification endorsement
709		-	area. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the
710		-	endorsement areas of special education, teaching English to speakers of
711		-	other languages, bilingual, remedial reading and remedial language arts
712		-	or school library media specialist.
713		-	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The State Board of Education
714		-	shall issue, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145b of the
715		-	general statutes, as amended by this act, an initial educator certificate to
716		-	any person who successfully satisfies one of the following pathways to
717		-	professional certification:
718		-	(1) Successful completion of an educator preparation program
719		-	approved by the State Board of Education.
720		-	(2) Successful completion of an alternate route to certification
721		-	program pursuant to section 10-145p, 10-145t, as amended by this act,
722		-	10-145w, as amended by this act, or 10-155d of the general statutes.
723		-	(3) Is an educator from another state and meets the requirements set
724		-	forth in subsections (c) and (f) of section 10-145f, section 10-146c or
725		-	section 10-146i of the general statutes.
726		-	(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section,
727		-	the State Board of Education may waive any of the requirements of this
728		-	section and issue an initial educator certificate to any person who
729		-	presents a combination of education and experience that the state board
730		-	determines is the equivalent of the education and experience required
731		-	under this section.
732		-	Sec. 7. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-145t of the general statutes
733		-	are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
734		-	1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	519	+	program shall have the following objectives: (1) The imparting of an 449
	520	+	appreciation of the contributions to American civilization of the various 450
	521	+	ethnic, cultural and economic groups composing American society and 451
	522	+	an understanding of the life styles of such groups; (2) the counteracting 452
	523	+	of biases, discrimination and prejudices; and (3) the assurance of respect 453
	524	+	for human diversity and personal rights. The State Board of Education, 454
	525	+	the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Commission on Human 455
	526	+	Rights and Opportunities and the Commission on Women, Children, 456
	527	+	Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall establish a joint committee 457
	528	+	composed of members of the four agencies, which shall develop and 458
	529	+	implement such programs in intergroup relations. 459
	530	+	(b) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to 460
	531	+	professional certification shall be encouraged to complete a (1) health 461
	532	+	component of such a program, which includes, but need not be limited 462
	533	+	to, human growth and development, nutrition, first aid, disease 463
	534	+	prevention and community and consumer health, and (2) mental health 464
	535	+	component of such a program, which includes, but need not be limited 465
	536	+	to, youth suicide, child abuse and alcohol and drug abuse. 466
	537	+	(c) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to 467
	538	+	professional certification shall complete a school violence, bullying, as 468
	539	+	defined in section 10-222d, and suicide prevention and conflict 469
	540	+	resolution component of such a program. 470
	541	+	(d) On and after July 1, 2020, any program of teacher preparation 471
	542	+	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the 472
	543	+	curriculum, instruction in computer science, and instruction in 473
	544	+	information technology skills as applied to student learning and 474
	545	+	classroom instruction that are grade-level and subject area appropriate. 475
	546	+	(e) On and after July 1, 2006, any program of teacher preparation 476
	547	+	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the 477
	548	+	curriculum, instruction in literacy skills and processes that reflects 478
	549	+	current research and best practices in the field of literacy training. Such 479
	550	+	instruction shall (1) be incorporated into requirements of student major 480 Substitute Bill No. 5436
735	551
736		-	Public Act No. 24-41 23 of 84
737	552
738		-	(a) For purposes of this section, "school support staff" means any
739		-	person employed by a local or regional board of education as a behavior
740		-	analyst or an assistant behavior analyst, as such terms are defined in
741		-	section 20-185i, an athletic coach, as defined in section 10-149d, or a
742		-	[school paraprofessional] paraeducator.
743		-	(b) (1) The Department of Education shall review and approve
744		-	proposals for alternate route to certification programs for persons
745		-	employed as school support staff. In order to be approved, a proposal
746		-	shall provide that the alternate route to certification program [(1)] (A)
747		-	be provided by a public or independent institution of higher education,
748		-	a local or regional board of education, a regional educational service
749		-	center or a private, nonprofit teacher or administrator training
750		-	organization approved by the State Board of Education; [(2)] (B) accept
751		-	only those participants who [(A) hold a bachelor's degree from an
752		-	institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for
753		-	Higher Education or the Office of Higher Education or regionally
754		-	accredited, (B)] (i) have been employed as school support staff by a local
755		-	or regional board of education for at least forty school months, and [(C)]
756		-	(ii) are recommended by the immediate supervisor or district
757		-	administrator of such person on the basis of such person's performance;
758		-	[(3)] (C) require each participant to complete a one-year residency that
759		-	requires such person to serve [(A)] (i) in a position requiring
760		-	professional certification, and [(B)] (ii) in a full-time position for ten
761		-	school months at a local or regional board of education in the state under
762		-	the supervision of [(i)] (I) a certified administrator or teacher, and [(ii)]
763		-	(II) a supervisor from an institution or organization described in
764		-	[subdivision (1) of this subsection] subparagraph (A) of this subdivision;
765		-	and [(4)] (D) meet such other criteria as the department requires.
766		-	(2) The department may approve any program that (A) accepts
767		-	participants who hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher
768		-	education accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	553	+	LCO 16 of 30
769	554
770		-	Public Act No. 24-41 24 of 84
	555	+	and concentration, and (2) on and after July 1, 2015, include not fewer 481
	556	+	than twelve clock hours of instruction in the detection and recognition 482
	557	+	of, and evidence-based structured literacy interventions for, students 483
	558	+	with dyslexia, as defined in section 10-3d. 484
	559	+	(f) On and after July 1, 2006, any program of teacher preparation 485
	560	+	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the 486
	561	+	curriculum, instruction in the concepts of second language learning and 487
	562	+	second language acquisition and processes that reflects current research 488
	563	+	and best practices in the field of second language learning and second 489
	564	+	language acquisition. Such instruction shall be incorporated into 490
	565	+	requirements of student major and concentration. 491
	566	+	(g) On and after July 1, 2011, any program of teacher preparation 492
	567	+	leading to professional certification may permit teaching experience in 493
	568	+	a nonpublic school, approved by the State Board of Education, and 494
	569	+	offered through a public or private institution of higher education to 495
	570	+	count towards the preparation and eligibility requirements for an initial 496
	571	+	educator certificate, provided such teaching experience is completed as 497
	572	+	part of a cooperating teacher program, in accordance with the 498
	573	+	provisions of subsection (d) of section 10-220a. 499
	574	+	(h) On and after July 1, 2019, any candidate entering a program of 500
	575	+	teacher preparation leading to professional certification shall be 501
	576	+	required to complete training in competency areas contained in the 502
	577	+	professional teaching standards established by the State Board of 503
	578	+	Education, including, but not limited to, development and 504
	579	+	characteristics of learners, evidence-based and standards-based 505
	580	+	instruction, evidence-based classroom and behavior management, 506
	581	+	assessment and professional behaviors and responsibilities and the 507
	582	+	awareness and identification of the unique learning style of gifted and 508
	583	+	talented children, social and emotional development and learning of 509
	584	+	children, and culturally responsive pedagogy and practice. The training 510
	585	+	in social and emotional development and learning of children shall 511
	586	+	include instruction concerning a comprehensive, coordinated social and 512
	587	+	emotional assessment and early intervention for children displaying 513 Substitute Bill No. 5436
771	588
772		-	the Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited, or (B) partners
773		-	with an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited, or
774		-	has received an equivalent accreditation, to provide a dual degree-plus-
775		-	certification program for participants who hold an associate degree. The
776		-	department shall give priority to those programs that provide
777		-	participants flexibility in remaining in their positions as a school
778		-	support staff while pursuing an initial educator certificate, other than
779		-	the period when such participants are completing the one-year
780		-	residency requirement described in subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1)
781		-	of this subsection.
782		-	Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 10-145w of the general statutes is
783		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
784		-	2024):
785		-	(a) As used in this section, "person from an alternate profession"
786		-	means a person who (1) holds at least a bachelor's degree from an
787		-	institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for
788		-	Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or that is regionally
789		-	accredited, and (A) is a paraeducator, (B) is a veteran, as defined in
790		-	section 27-103, (C) holds a charter school educator permit, issued by the
791		-	State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-145q, [or] (D) is
792		-	employed or was previously employed as a professor at an accredited
793		-	institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-34, or (E) has
794		-	completed at least five years of work experience requiring consistent
795		-	exercise of discretion and independent judgment in the field related to
796		-	the relevant endorsement area, or (2) holds a master's degree from a
797		-	social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work
798		-	Education or, for any person educated outside the United States or its
799		-	territories, an educational program deemed equivalent by the council.
800		-	Sec. 9. Subsection (e) of section 10-144d of the 2024 supplement to the
801		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
802		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
803	589
804		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 25 of 84
	590	+	LCO 17 of 30
805	591
806		-	(e) The council shall (1) advise the [State Board of Education, the
807		-	Governor] Commissioner of Education and the joint standing
808		-	committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
809		-	relating to education concerning [teacher preparation,] teacher
810		-	recruitment, teacher retention, [teacher certification,] teacher
811		-	professional development, teacher assessment and evaluation, [and]
812		-	teacher professional discipline, [; (2) review and comment upon all
813		-	regulations and other standards concerning the approval of teacher
814		-	preparation programs and teacher certification] the equitable
815		-	distribution of teachers, diversity of the teaching workforce, special
816		-	education, testing and assessment of students, school safety and social-
817		-	emotional learning; (2) share perspectives on the impact of proposed
818		-	policies and initiatives on classroom practice with the commissioner and
819		-	the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
820		-	cognizance of matters relating to education; (3) provide suggestions and
821		-	feedback on guidance to be sent to school districts related to the
822		-	implementation of such policies and initiatives with the commissioner;
823		-	and [(3)] (4) report to the [State Board of Education, the Governor]
824		-	commissioner and the joint standing committee of the General
825		-	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education not later
826		-	than January 15, 1991, and annually thereafter, on its activities and
827		-	recommendations, if any, concerning the condition of the teaching
828		-	profession.
829		-	Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) There is established the
830		-	Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board. The board
831		-	shall be responsible for modernizing and aligning educator preparation
832		-	and certification to ensure that policies are optimized to attract and
833		-	retain effective and diverse professionals for employment in the state's
834		-	public schools.
835		-	(b) The board shall develop standards and proposals for regulations
836		-	or legislation relating to educator preparation and certification. Such Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	592	+	behaviors associated with social or emotional problems, the availability 514
	593	+	of treatment services for such children and referring such children for 515
	594	+	assessment, intervention or treatment services. The training in culturally 516
	595	+	responsive pedagogy and practice shall include instruction concerning 517
	596	+	the awareness of students' background and experience that lead to the 518
	597	+	development of skills, knowledge and behaviors that enable educators 519
	598	+	and students to build positive relationships and work effectively in 520
	599	+	cross-cultural situations. 521
	600	+	(i) On and after July 1, 2023, any program of teacher preparation 522
	601	+	leading to professional certification shall require, as part of the 523
	602	+	curriculum, clinical experience, field experience or student teaching 524
	603	+	experience in a classroom during four semesters of such program of 525
	604	+	teacher preparation. Such clinical experience, field experience or student 526
	605	+	teaching experience may include a cooperating teacher serving as a 527
	606	+	mentor to student teachers. 528
	607	+	(j) On and after July 1, 2012, any program of teacher preparation 529
	608	+	leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the 530
	609	+	curriculum, instruction in the implementation of student individualized 531
	610	+	education programs as it relates to the provision of special education 532
	611	+	and related services, including, but not limited to, the provision of 533
	612	+	services to gifted and talented children. 534
	613	+	(k) On and after July 1, 2025, any program of teacher preparation 535
	614	+	leading to professional certification in the endorsement area of 536
	615	+	elementary education shall also be aligned with any professional 537
	616	+	standards and competencies for early childhood educators developed 538
	617	+	by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 539
	618	+	Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) On and after July 1, 2024, any 540
	619	+	person who holds an initial educator certificate, a provisional educator 541
	620	+	certificate or a professional educator certificate, and whose endorsement 542
	621	+	has been revised pursuant to section 10-145d of the general statutes, as 543
	622	+	amended by this act, shall not be required to submit an application for 544
	623	+	the issuance of any such revised endorsement and shall be allowed to 545 Substitute Bill No. 5436
837	624
838		-	Public Act No. 24-41 26 of 84
839	625
840		-	standards and proposals shall reflect the teaching profession and
841		-	respond to emerging understandings of effective, evidence-based
842		-	practices and address the following objectives: (1) Building streamlined,
843		-	flexible pathways in the educator profession that are grounded in a
844		-	commitment to educator effectiveness, (2) enabling educators to
845		-	broaden their scope of practice to meet more students' needs, (3)
846		-	ensuring educator preparation programs are accountable for both the
847		-	quality training experiences and outcomes for candidates, (4) creating a
848		-	system to help educators continuously improve their practice that
849		-	supports and rewards educators who demonstrate mastery, (5)
850		-	supporting improved data transparency regarding the state's
851		-	distribution of educators and educator vacancies and accountability for
852		-	remedying observed inequities, and (6) treating educators as
853		-	professionals and lifelong learners who need access to high-quality
854		-	professional learning and mentorships throughout their careers.
855		-	(c) The board shall consist of the following members:
856		-	(1) Four public school classroom teachers, who are classroom
857		-	teachers at the time of their appointment and throughout their term on
858		-	the board, as follows:
859		-	(A) Two appointed by the Connecticut Education Association, one of
860		-	whom is a teacher for students in grades kindergarten to grade six,
861		-	inclusive, and one of whom is a high school teacher;
862		-	(B) One appointed by the American Federation of Teachers-
863		-	Connecticut, one of whom is a special education teacher; and
864		-	(C) One appointed by the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council.
865		-	(2) Three representatives from an educator preparation program
866		-	approved by the State Board of Education, as follows:
867		-	(A) One appointed by the American Association of Colleges for Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	626	+	LCO 18 of 30
868	627
869		-	Public Act No. 24-41 27 of 84
	628	+	provide instruction in any course in which the subject matter content of 546
	629	+	such course corresponds with such revised endorsement. On and after 547
	630	+	July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall assign such revised 548
	631	+	endorsement upon the issuance or reissuance of any professional 549
	632	+	educator certificate. 550
	633	+	Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 10-145f of the general statutes is 551
	634	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 552
	635	+	2024): 553
	636	+	(b) (1) Any person who does not hold a valid certificate pursuant to 554
	637	+	section 10-145b, as amended by this act, shall achieve a satisfactory 555
	638	+	evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education approved 556
	639	+	subject area assessment in order to be eligible for a certificate pursuant 557
	640	+	to said section unless such assessment has not been approved by the 558
	641	+	State Board of Education at the time of application, in which case the 559
	642	+	applicant shall not be denied a certificate solely because of the lack of an 560
	643	+	evaluation on such assessment. 561
	644	+	(2) Any person applying for an additional certification endorsement 562
	645	+	shall achieve a satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of 563
	646	+	Education approved subject area assessment in order to be eligible for 564
	647	+	such additional endorsement, unless such assessment has not been 565
	648	+	approved by the State Board of Education at the time of application, in 566
	649	+	which case the applicant shall not be denied the additional endorsement 567
	650	+	solely because of the lack of an evaluation on such assessment. 568
	651	+	(3) On and after July 1, 1992, any teacher who held a valid teaching 569
	652	+	certificate but whose certificate lapsed and who had completed all 570
	653	+	requirements for the issuance of a new certificate pursuant to section 10-571
	654	+	145b, as amended by this act, except for filing an application for such 572
	655	+	certificate, prior to the date on which the lapse occurred, may file, within 573
	656	+	one year of the date on which the lapse occurred, an application with 574
	657	+	the Commissioner of Education for the issuance of such certificate. 575
	658	+	Upon the filing of such an application, the commissioner may grant such 576
	659	+	certificate and such certificate shall be retroactive to the date on which 577 Substitute Bill No. 5436
870	660
871		-	Teacher Education Connecticut Chapter, who is a representative from
872		-	an educator preparation program offered by a public institution of
873		-	higher education;
874		-	(B) One appointed by the Connecticut Conference of Independent
875		-	Colleges; and
876		-	(C) One appointed by the Commissioner of Education, who is a
877		-	representative of an alternate route to certification program.
878		-	(3) Three administrators, who are employed by a local or regional
879		-	board of education, as follows:
880		-	(A) One appointed by the Connecticut Association of Public School
881		-	Superintendents, who is a superintendent of schools for an urban school
882		-	district;
883		-	(B) One appointed by the Connecticut Association of Schools, who
884		-	represents a rural school district; and
885		-	(C) One appointed by the Connecticut Federation of School
886		-	Administrators, who represents a suburban school district.
887		-	(4) One appointed by the Connecticut Association of Boards of
888		-	Education.
889		-	(5) One appointed by the Connecticut Business and Industry
890		-	Association, who is a representative from the education and workforce
891		-	affiliate of the association.
892		-	(6) A representative from the Increasing Educator Diversity Policy
893		-	Oversight Council, established pursuant to section 10-156bb of the
894		-	general statutes, designated by the council.
895		-	(7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
896	661
897		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 28 of 84
	662	+	LCO 19 of 30
898	663
899		-	(8) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's
900		-	designee.
901		-	(9) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career
902		-	System, or the superintendent's designee.
903		-	(d) All initial appointments to the board shall be made not later than
904		-	August 1, 2024. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority
905		-	not later than ten days following such vacancy. Members shall serve
906		-	three-year terms.
907		-	(e) The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be elected
908		-	from among the voting members of the board. The board shall establish
909		-	bylaws for the operation and management of the board. An employee
910		-	of the Department of Education shall be designated by the
911		-	Commissioner of Education to serve as the administrator of the board.
912		-	(f) Not later than January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the board
913		-	shall develop an annual report that includes a detailed summary of the
914		-	substance and disposition of any standards and proposals for
915		-	regulations or legislation developed by the board or the State Board of
916		-	Education pursuant to section 11 of this act. The board shall submit such
917		-	annual report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
918		-	having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with
919		-	the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
920		-	Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The Connecticut Educator
921		-	Preparation and Certification Board and the State Board of Education
922		-	shall each have the authority to develop standards and proposals for
923		-	regulations and legislation relating to educator preparation and
924		-	certification.
925		-	(b) (1) Any such standard or proposal developed by the Connecticut
926		-	Educator Preparation and Certification Board shall be submitted to the
927		-	State Board of Education for review. The State Board of Education shall Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	664	+	the lapse occurred, provided the commissioner finds that the lapse of 578
	665	+	the certificate occurred as a result of a hardship or extenuating 579
	666	+	circumstances beyond the control of the applicant. If such teacher has 580
	667	+	attained tenure and is reemployed by the same board of education in 581
	668	+	any equivalent unfilled position for which the person is qualified as a 582
	669	+	result of the issuance of a certificate pursuant to this subdivision, the 583
	670	+	lapse period shall not constitute a break in employment for such person 584
	671	+	reemployed and shall be used for the purpose of calculating continuous 585
	672	+	employment pursuant to section 10-151. If such teacher has not attained 586
	673	+	tenure, the time unemployed due to the lapse of a certificate shall not be 587
	674	+	counted toward tenure, except that if such teacher is reemployed by the 588
	675	+	same board of education as a result of the issuance of a certificate 589
	676	+	pursuant to this subdivision, such teacher may count the previous 590
	677	+	continuous employment immediately prior to the lapse towards tenure. 591
	678	+	Using information provided by the Teachers' Retirement Board, the 592
	679	+	Department of Education shall annually notify each local or regional 593
	680	+	board of education of the name of each teacher employed by such board 594
	681	+	of education whose provisional certificate will expire during the period 595
	682	+	of twelve months following such notice. Upon receipt of such notice the 596
	683	+	superintendent of each local and regional board of education shall 597
	684	+	notify each such teacher in writing, at such teacher's last-known 598
	685	+	address, that the teacher's provisional certificate will expire. 599
	686	+	(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary, 600
	687	+	to be eligible for a certificate to teach subjects for which a bachelor's 601
	688	+	degree is not required, any applicant who is otherwise eligible for 602
	689	+	certification in such endorsement areas shall be entitled to a certificate 603
	690	+	without having met the requirements of the competency examination 604
	691	+	and subject area assessment pursuant to this subsection for a period not 605
	692	+	to exceed two years, except that for a certificate to teach skilled trades 606
	693	+	or trade-related or occupational subjects, the commissioner may waive 607
	694	+	the requirement that the applicant take the competency examination. 608
	695	+	The commissioner may, upon the showing of good cause, extend the 609
	696	+	certificate. 610
	697	+	(5) On and after July 1, 2011, any person applying for a certification 611 Substitute Bill No. 5436
928	698
929		-	Public Act No. 24-41 29 of 84
930	699
931		-	approve or reject any such standard or proposal not later than sixty days
932		-	after receipt of such standard or proposal. If such standard or proposal
933		-	is approved, such standard or proposal shall be implemented.
934		-	(2) Any such standard or proposal developed by the State Board of
935		-	Education shall be submitted to the Connecticut Educator Preparation
936		-	and Certification Board for review. The Connecticut Educator
937		-	Preparation and Certification Board shall approve or reject any such
938		-	standard or proposal not later than sixty days after receipt of such
939		-	standard or proposal. If such standard or proposal is approved, such
940		-	standard or proposal shall be implemented.
941		-	(3) If such approved proposal is for regulations, the State Board of
942		-	Education shall adopt regulations consistent with such approved
943		-	proposal in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general
944		-	statutes.
945		-	(4) If such approved proposal is for legislation, such approved
946		-	proposal shall be submitted to the joint standing committee of the
947		-	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education,
948		-	in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
949		-	Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) Not later than July 1, 2025,
950		-	the Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board,
951		-	established pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall develop standards
952		-	and proposals for regulations and legislation regarding (1) the
953		-	evaluation criteria that will be used to assess proposals from local or
954		-	regional boards of education, regional educational service centers and
955		-	educator preparation programs for alternative pathways for educators
956		-	to progress from an initial educator certificate to a professional educator
957		-	certificate or to be issued a cross endorsement that will enable such
958		-	educators to teach in content areas or grades beyond their initial
959		-	certification areas, (2) the manner in which degrees from educator
960		-	preparation programs approved by the State Board of Education will Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	700	+	LCO 20 of 30
961	701
962		-	Public Act No. 24-41 30 of 84
	702	+	in the endorsement area of elementary education shall achieve a 612
	703	+	satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education 613
	704	+	approved mathematics assessment in order to be eligible for such 614
	705	+	elementary education endorsement. 615
	706	+	(6) On and after July 1, 2018, any person who holds an initial, 616
	707	+	provisional or professional educator certificate and achieves a 617
	708	+	satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education 618
	709	+	approved subject area assessment shall be issued a cross endorsement 619
	710	+	in the relevant certification endorsement area corresponding to a 620
	711	+	teacher shortage area, as determined by the Commissioner of Education 621
	712	+	pursuant to section 10-8b. 622
	713	+	(7) On and after July 1, 2024, any person who holds an initial educator 623
	714	+	certificate, a provisional educator certificate or a professional educator 624
	715	+	certificate and achieves a satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate 625
	716	+	State Board of Education approved subject area assessment shall be 626
	717	+	issued a cross endorsement in the relevant certification endorsement 627
	718	+	area. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the 628
	719	+	endorsement areas of special education, teaching English to speakers of 629
	720	+	other languages, bilingual or school library media specialist. 630
	721	+	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The State Board of Education 631
	722	+	shall issue, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145b of the 632
	723	+	general statutes, as amended by this act, an initial educator certificate to 633
	724	+	any person who successfully satisfies one of the following pathways to 634
	725	+	professional certification: 635
	726	+	(1) Successful completion of an educator preparation program 636
	727	+	approved by the State Board of Education. 637
	728	+	(2) Successful completion of an alternate route to certification 638
	729	+	program pursuant to section 10-145p, 10-145t, as amended by this act, 639
	730	+	10-145w, as amended by this act, or 10-155d of the general statutes. 640
	731	+	(3) Is an educator from another state and meets the requirements set 641
	732	+	forth in subsections (c) and (f) of section 10-145f, section 10-146c or 642 Substitute Bill No. 5436
963	733
964		-	align with the revised endorsement codes under section 10-145d of the
965		-	general statutes, as amended by this act, (3) the adequacy and relevance
966		-	of existing certification endorsement areas, (4) the implementation of the
967		-	standards for educator preparation programs developed by the Council
968		-	for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, (5) the necessity of the
969		-	temporary ninety-day certificate issued under section 10-145b of the
970		-	general statutes, as amended by this act, and (6) the design and
971		-	development of a state-wide data dashboard that enables longitudinal
972		-	monitoring of educator workforce data.
973		-	(b) Not later than July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the board shall
974		-	(1) collect and review (A) state-specific data, including, but not limited
975		-	to, qualitative data on stakeholders' experiences and quantitative data
976		-	from the Department of Education on educator vacancies, shortage
977		-	areas and the educator preparation program dashboard, and (B) data on
978		-	applicable national policy developments relating to educator
979		-	preparation, certification and employment, (2) evaluate whether any
980		-	changes are needed to the current educator preparation and certification
981		-	frameworks, and (3) develop, as necessary, evidence-based standards
982		-	and proposals for regulations and legislation to strengthen existing
983		-	systems.
984		-	Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The Connecticut Educator
985		-	Preparation and Certification Board, established pursuant to section 10
986		-	of this act, shall (1) conduct a review of the existing regulations and
987		-	statutes relating to educator preparation and certification to identify
988		-	obsolete or conflicting provisions of such regulations and statutes, (2)
989		-	review the state's approach to assessing whether candidates for
990		-	certification have demonstrated minimum content knowledge within
991		-	their endorsement areas for purposes of section 10-145f of the general
992		-	statutes, as amended by this act, and (3) develop recommendations as
993		-	to whether alternative approaches should be offered to allow candidates
994		-	to demonstrate such minimum content knowledge. Not later than Substitute House Bill No. 5436
995	734
996		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 31 of 84
	735	+	LCO 21 of 30
997	736
998		-	January 31, 2025, the board shall submit a report on its findings, as well
999		-	as any recommendations for legislation, to the State Board of Education
1000		-	and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
1001		-	cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the
1002		-	provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
1003		-	(b) The Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board,
1004		-	established pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall (1) undertake a
1005		-	comprehensive review of the certification endorsement areas for the
1006		-	purpose of (A) developing standards regarding the adequacy and
1007		-	relevance of such endorsement areas, and (B) considering whether the
1008		-	grade ranges for the endorsement areas should be expanded, (2) explore
1009		-	alternative pathways for educators to receive cross endorsements, and
1010		-	(3) consider whether to transfer authority over candidate admission
1011		-	criteria for alternate route to certification programs to the program
1012		-	providers. Not later than July 1, 2025, the board shall submit a report on
1013		-	its findings, as well as any recommendations for legislation, to the State
1014		-	Board of Education and the joint standing committee of the General
1015		-	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in
1016		-	accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
1017		-	Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) Not later than July 1, 2026, the
1018		-	Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board, established
1019		-	pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall develop standards regarding the
1020		-	criteria to be used when reviewing educator preparation programs and
1021		-	alternate route to certification programs for new or continuing program
1022		-	approval. Such standards shall include a requirement that (1) any
1023		-	educator preparation program or alternate route to certification
1024		-	program shall obtain continuing program approval every seven years,
1025		-	and (2) the methodology for determinations regarding continuing
1026		-	program approval shall be based on final accreditation decisions of the
1027		-	Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and be classified
1028		-	in the following categories: Approval, provisional, probationary or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	737	+	section 10-146i of the general statutes. 643
	738	+	(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 644
	739	+	the State Board of Education may waive any of the requirements of this 645
	740	+	section and issue an initial educator certificate to any person who 646
	741	+	presents a combination of education and experience that the state board 647
	742	+	determines is the equivalent of the education and experience required 648
	743	+	under this section. 649
	744	+	Sec. 7. Subsection (b) of section 10-145t of the general statutes is 650
	745	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 651
	746	+	2024): 652
	747	+	(b) (1) The Department of Education shall review and approve 653
	748	+	proposals for alternate route to certification programs for persons 654
	749	+	employed as school support staff. In order to be approved, a proposal 655
	750	+	shall provide that the alternate route to certification program [(1)] (A) 656
	751	+	be provided by a public or independent institution of higher education, 657
	752	+	a local or regional board of education, a regional educational service 658
	753	+	center or a private, nonprofit teacher or administrator training 659
	754	+	organization approved by the State Board of Education; [(2)] (B) accept 660
	755	+	only those participants who [(A) hold a bachelor's degree from an 661
	756	+	institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for 662
	757	+	Higher Education or the Office of Higher Education or regionally 663
	758	+	accredited, (B)] (i) have been employed as school support staff by a local 664
	759	+	or regional board of education for at least forty school months, and [(C)] 665
	760	+	(ii) are recommended by the immediate supervisor or district 666
	761	+	administrator of such person on the basis of such person's performance; 667
	762	+	[(3)] (C) require each participant to complete a one-year residency that 668
	763	+	requires such person to serve [(A)] (i) in a position requiring 669
	764	+	professional certification, and [(B)] (ii) in a full-time position for ten 670
	765	+	school months at a local or regional board of education in the state under 671
	766	+	the supervision of [(i)] (I) a certified administrator or teacher, and [(ii)] 672
	767	+	(II) a supervisor from an institution or organization described in 673
	768	+	[subdivision (1) of this subsection] subparagraph (A) of this subdivision; 674
	769	+	and [(4)] (D) meet such other criteria as the department requires. 675 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1029	770
1030		-	Public Act No. 24-41 32 of 84
1031	771
1032		-	denial of approval.
1033		-	Sec. 15. Section 10-145aa of the 2024 supplement to the general
1034		-	statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
1035		-	(Effective July 1, 2024):
1036		-	[On and after July 1, 2022, the preservice performance assessment,
1037		-	edTPA, as adopted by the State Board of Education on December 7,
1038		-	2016, shall be used exclusively as an accountability tool for teacher
1039		-	preparation programs, as defined in section 10-10a, offered at
1040		-	institutions of higher education in the state. The results of such
1041		-	preservice performance assessment shall not be used by the State Board
1042		-	of Education to deny an application for the issuance of an initial
1043		-	educator certificate under section 10-145b.]
1044		-	(a) On and after July 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall not
1045		-	(1) use the results of the preservice performance assessment, edTPA, as
1046		-	adopted by the State Board of Education on December 7, 2016, to deny
1047		-	an application for the issuance of an initial educator certificate under
1048		-	section 10-145b, as amended by this act, and (2) require a teacher
1049		-	preparation program, as defined in section 10-10a, offered at an
1050		-	institution of higher education in the state to use edTPA as a (A)
1051		-	preservice performance assessment for such teacher preparation
1052		-	program, and (B) program completion requirement.
1053		-	(b) On and after July 1, 2024, no institution of higher education in the
1054		-	state that offers a teacher preparation program shall use the results of
1055		-	edTPA to deny a candidate successful completion of such teacher
1056		-	preparation program. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent an
1057		-	institution of higher education from using such results as a diagnostic
1058		-	tool for the purpose of providing any necessary remedial instruction to
1059		-	a candidate while such candidate is enrolled in such teacher preparation
1060		-	program. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	772	+	LCO 22 of 30
1061	773
1062		-	Public Act No. 24-41 33 of 84
	774	+	(2) The department may approve any program that (A) accepts 676
	775	+	participants who hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher 677
	776	+	education accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or 678
	777	+	the Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited, or (B) partners 679
	778	+	with an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited, or 680
	779	+	has received an equivalent accreditation, to provide a dual degree-plus-681
	780	+	certification program for participants who hold an associate degree. The 682
	781	+	department shall give priority to those programs that provide 683
	782	+	participants flexibility in remaining in their positions as a school 684
	783	+	support staff while pursuing an initial educator certificate, other than 685
	784	+	the period when such participants are completing the one-year 686
	785	+	residency requirement described in subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) 687
	786	+	of this section. 688
	787	+	Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 10-145w of the general statutes is 689
	788	+	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 690
	789	+	2024): 691
	790	+	(a) As used in this section, "person from an alternate profession" 692
	791	+	means a person who (1) holds at least a bachelor's degree from an 693
	792	+	institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for 694
	793	+	Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or that is regionally 695
	794	+	accredited, and (A) is a paraeducator, (B) is a veteran, as defined in 696
	795	+	section 27-103, (C) holds a charter school educator permit, issued by the 697
	796	+	State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-145q, [or] (D) is 698
	797	+	employed or was previously employed as a professor at an accredited 699
	798	+	institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-34, or (E) has 700
	799	+	completed at least five years of work experience requiring consistent 701
	800	+	exercise of discretion and independent judgment in the field related to 702
	801	+	the relevant endorsement area, or (2) holds a master's degree from a 703
	802	+	social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work 704
	803	+	Education or, for any person educated outside the United States or its 705
	804	+	territories, an educational program deemed equivalent by the council. 706
	805	+	Sec. 9. Subsection (e) of section 10-144d of the 2024 supplement to the 707
	806	+	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 708 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1063	807
1064		-	Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section,
1065		-	"occupational subject" includes, but is not limited to, automobile
1066		-	servicing, carpentry, plumbing, culinary arts, electronics, cosmetology
1067		-	and public safety.
1068		-	(b) The State Board of Education may issue an initial educator
1069		-	certificate for occupational subjects in technical education and career
1070		-	schools to an applicant who has (1) obtained a high school diploma or
1071		-	its equivalent, (2) completed five years of experience in the field for
1072		-	which the certificate is sought, which may include not more than two
1073		-	years of in a registered apprenticeship, work-based learning program or
1074		-	other specialized schooling, (3) completed a minimum of six semester
1075		-	hours of credit teaching vocational and industrial education, and (4)
1076		-	completed a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer
1077		-	than three semester hours, which shall include study in understanding
1078		-	the growth and development of exceptional children, including children
1079		-	with a disability, gifted and talented children and children who may
1080		-	require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and
1081		-	working effectively with special needs children in the regular
1082		-	classroom. An initial educator certificate for occupational subjects in
1083		-	technical education and career schools shall authorize the holder to
1084		-	teach an occupational subject in the Technical Education and Career
1085		-	System.
1086		-	(c) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for an initial educator
1087		-	certificate for occupational subjects in technical education and career
1088		-	schools, but is deficient in meeting the course requirements to the extent
1089		-	of not more than six semester hours of credit, as described in subdivision
1090		-	(3) of subsection (b) of this section, and a course of study in special
1091		-	education, as described in subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this
1092		-	section, may be issued an interim educator certificate, valid for one year,
1093		-	which may be reissued for a second year by the Commissioner of
1094		-	Education. If the holder of such interim educator certificate fails to meet Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1095	808
1096		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 34 of 84
	809	+	LCO 23 of 30
1097	810
1098		-	such course requirements at the expiration of such interim educator
1099		-	certificate, the commissioner shall prevent the holder from serving in
1100		-	the employ of a board of education in a position covered by the initial
1101		-	educator certificate for occupational subjects in technical education and
1102		-	career schools, except that the course work in which the applicant is
1103		-	deficient may be deferred for one additional year for good cause shown.
1104		-	Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section, "trade
1105		-	and industrial occupations" includes, but is not limited to, food service,
1106		-	automotive servicing, machine tool and operation, building
1107		-	maintenance and repairs, welding, appliance repair and public safety.
1108		-	(b) The State Board of Education may issue an initial educator
1109		-	certificate for trade and industrial occupations in comprehensive high
1110		-	schools to an applicant who has (1) provided a written request from a
1111		-	local or regional board of education, (2) obtained a high school diploma
1112		-	or its equivalent, (3) completed a minimum of three years of approved
1113		-	successful work experience appropriate to the field for which such
1114		-	certificate is sought, which may include not more than two years of
1115		-	specialized appropriate schooling, (4) completed a minimum of six
1116		-	semester hours of credit in professional education in areas such as (A)
1117		-	teaching vocational and industrial education, or (B) foundations of
1118		-	education, educational psychology, adolescent psychology, psychology
1119		-	of learning, curriculum and methods of teaching, classroom instruction
1120		-	and management, multicultural diversity or equity issues in education,
1121		-	and (5) completed a course of study in special education comprised of
1122		-	not fewer than three semester hours, which shall include study in
1123		-	understanding the growth and development of exceptional children,
1124		-	including children with a disability, gifted and talented children and
1125		-	children who may require special education, and methods for
1126		-	identifying, planning for and working effectively with special needs
1127		-	children in the regular classroom. An initial educator certificate for trade
1128		-	and industrial occupations in comprehensive high schools shall Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	811	+	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 709
	812	+	(e) The council shall (1) advise the State Board of Education, the 710
	813	+	Governor and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 711
	814	+	having cognizance of matters relating to education concerning [teacher 712
	815	+	preparation,] teacher recruitment, teacher retention, [teacher 713
	816	+	certification,] teacher professional development, teacher assessment 714
	817	+	and evaluation and teacher professional discipline; [(2) review and 715
	818	+	comment upon all regulations and other standards concerning the 716
	819	+	approval of teacher preparation programs and teacher certification; and 717
	820	+	(3)] and (2) report to the State Board of Education, the Governor and the 718
	821	+	joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 719
	822	+	matters relating to education not later than January 15, 1991, and 720
	823	+	annually thereafter, on its activities and recommendations, if any, 721
	824	+	concerning the condition of the teaching profession. 722
	825	+	Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) There is established the 723
	826	+	Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board. The board 724
	827	+	shall be responsible for modernizing and aligning educator preparation 725
	828	+	and certification to ensure that policies are optimized to attract and 726
	829	+	retain effective and diverse professionals for employment in the state's 727
	830	+	public schools. 728
	831	+	(b) The board shall develop standards and proposals for regulations 729
	832	+	or legislation relating to educator preparation and certification. Such 730
	833	+	standards and proposals shall reflect the teaching profession and 731
	834	+	respond to emerging understandings of effective, evidence-based 732
	835	+	practices and address the following objectives: (1) Building streamlined, 733
	836	+	flexible pathways in the educator profession that are grounded in a 734
	837	+	commitment to educator effectiveness, (2) enabling educators to 735
	838	+	broaden their scope of practice to meet more students' needs, (3) 736
	839	+	ensuring educator preparation programs are accountable for both the 737
	840	+	quality training experiences and outcomes for candidates, (4) creating a 738
	841	+	system to help educators continuously improve their practice that 739
	842	+	supports and rewards educators who demonstrate mastery, (5) 740
	843	+	supporting improved data transparency regarding the state's 741 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1129	844
1130		-	Public Act No. 24-41 35 of 84
1131	845
1132		-	authorize the holder to teach in a comprehensive high school trade and
1133		-	industrial program in grades six to twelve, inclusive, except such initial
1134		-	educator certificate for trade and industrial occupations in
1135		-	comprehensive high schools shall not be valid to teach in the Technical
1136		-	Education and Career System.
1137		-	(c) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for an initial educator
1138		-	certificate for trade and industrial occupations in comprehensive high
1139		-	schools, but is deficient in meeting the course requirements to the extent
1140		-	of not more than six semester hours of credit, as described in subdivision
1141		-	(4) of subsection (b) of this section, and a course of study in special
1142		-	education, as described in subdivision (5) of subsection (b) of this
1143		-	section, may be issued an interim educator certificate, valid for one year,
1144		-	which may be reissued for a second year by the Commissioner of
1145		-	Education. If the holder of such interim educator certificate fails to meet
1146		-	such course requirements at the expiration of such interim educator
1147		-	certificate, the commissioner shall prevent the holder from serving in
1148		-	the employ of a board of education in a position covered by the initial
1149		-	educator certificate for trade and industrial occupations in
1150		-	comprehensive high schools, except that the course work in which the
1151		-	applicant is deficient may be deferred for one additional year for good
1152		-	cause shown.
1153		-	Sec. 18. Section 31-51rr of the general statutes is repealed and the
1154		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1155		-	(a) Each political subdivision of the state shall [grant] provide the
1156		-	same family and medical leave benefits under the federal Family and
1157		-	Medical Leave Act, P.L. 103-3, and 29 CFR 825.112 to (1) any employee
1158		-	of such political subdivision who is [(1)] a party to a marriage in which
1159		-	the other party is of the same sex as the employee, and who has been
1160		-	employed for at least twelve months by such employer and for at least
1161		-	one thousand two hundred fifty hours of service with such employer
1162		-	during the previous twelve-month period, [the same family and medical Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	846	+	LCO 24 of 30
1163	847
1164		-	Public Act No. 24-41 36 of 84
	848	+	distribution of educators and educator vacancies and accountability for 742
	849	+	remedying observed inequities, and (6) treating educators as 743
	850	+	professionals and lifelong learners who need access to high-quality 744
	851	+	professional learning and mentorships throughout their careers. 745
	852	+	(c) The board shall consist of the following members: 746
	853	+	(1) Eight public school classroom teachers who are classroom 747
	854	+	teachers at the time of their appointment and throughout their term on 748
	855	+	the board, as follows: 749
	856	+	(A) Four appointed by the Connecticut Education Association, one of 750
	857	+	whom is an elementary classroom teacher, one of whom is a middle 751
	858	+	school teacher, one of whom is a high school teacher and one of whom 752
	859	+	is a special education teacher; 753
	860	+	(B) Three appointed by the American Federation of Teachers-754
	861	+	Connecticut, one of whom is an elementary classroom teacher, one of 755
	862	+	whom is a middle school teacher and one of whom is a high school 756
	863	+	teacher; and 757
	864	+	(C) One appointed by the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council. 758
	865	+	(2) Six representatives from an educator preparation program 759
	866	+	approved by the State Board of Education, as follows: 760
	867	+	(A) Three appointed by the American Association of Colleges for 761
	868	+	Teacher Education Connecticut Chapter, at least two of whom are 762
	869	+	representatives from educator preparation programs offered by public 763
	870	+	institutions of higher education; 764
	871	+	(B) Two appointed by the Connecticut Conference of Independent 765
	872	+	Colleges; and 766
	873	+	(C) One appointed by the Commissioner of Education, who is a 767
	874	+	representative of an alternate route to certification program. 768
	875	+	(3) Five administrators who are employed by a local or regional board 769 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1165	876
1166		-	leave benefits under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, P.L. 103-
1167		-	3, and 29 CFR 825.112,] which benefits shall be the same as are provided
1168		-	to an employee who is a party to a marriage in which the other party is
1169		-	of the opposite sex of such employee, [or] (2) on or after the effective
1170		-	date of regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, a
1171		-	[school paraprofessional in an educational setting] paraeducator who
1172		-	has been employed in an educational setting for at least twelve months
1173		-	by such employer and for at least nine hundred fifty hours of service
1174		-	with such employer during the previous twelve-month period, [the
1175		-	same family and medical leave benefits provided under subdivision (1)
1176		-	of this subsection to an employee who has been employed for at least
1177		-	twelve months by such employer and for at least one thousand two
1178		-	hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during the previous
1179		-	twelve-month period] or (3) on or after October 1, 2024, any person
1180		-	employed by a local or regional board of education who does not hold
1181		-	a professional certification under chapter 166 and has been employed
1182		-	for at least twelve months by such employer and for at least nine
1183		-	hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during the previous
1184		-	twelve-month period.
1185		-	(b) (1) Any employee of a political subdivision of the state who has
1186		-	worked at least twelve months and one thousand two hundred fifty
1187		-	hours for such employer during the previous twelve-month period, [or]
1188		-	(2) on or after the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant to
1189		-	subsection (f) of this section, a [school paraprofessional in an
1190		-	educational setting] paraeducator who has been employed in an
1191		-	educational setting for at least twelve months by such employer and for
1192		-	at least nine hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during
1193		-	the previous twelve-month period, or (3) on or after October 1, 2024, any
1194		-	person employed by a local or regional board of education who does not
1195		-	hold a professional certification under chapter 166 and has been
1196		-	employed for at least twelve months by such employer and for at least
1197		-	nine hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1198	877
1199		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 37 of 84
	878	+	LCO 25 of 30
1200	879
1201		-	previous twelve-month period may request leave in order to serve as an
1202		-	organ or bone marrow donor, provided such employee may be
1203		-	required, prior to the inception of such leave, to provide sufficient
1204		-	written certification from the physician of such employee, a physician
1205		-	assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse of the proposed organ
1206		-	or bone marrow donation and the probable duration of the employee's
1207		-	recovery from such donation.
1208		-	(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing leave in
1209		-	addition to the total of twelve workweeks of leave during any twelve-
1210		-	month period provided under the federal Family and Medical Leave
1211		-	Act, P.L. 103-3.
1212		-	(d) The Labor Department shall enforce compliance with the
1213		-	provisions of this section.
1214		-	(e) For the purposes of subdivision (2) of subsections (a) and (b) of
1215		-	this section, no hours of service worked by a [paraprofessional]
1216		-	paraeducator prior to the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant
1217		-	to subsection (f) of this section shall be included in the requisite nine
1218		-	hundred fifty hours of service.
1219		-	(f) The Labor Commissioner shall adopt regulations for the provision
1220		-	of family and medical leave benefits to [school paraprofessionals]
1221		-	paraeducators employed in an educational setting pursuant to this
1222		-	section.
1223		-	Sec. 19. (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025,
1224		-	the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, in consultation
1225		-	with the Commissioner of Education, shall reclassify one authorized
1226		-	position at the Department of Education that remains unfilled for the
1227		-	purpose of hiring an individual to serve as the administrator of the
1228		-	Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board, established
1229		-	pursuant to section 10 of this act. The department shall use funds Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	880	+	of education, as follows: 770
	881	+	(A) Two appointed by the Connecticut Association of Public School 771
	882	+	Superintendents, one of whom is a superintendent of schools for a rural 772
	883	+	school district and one of whom is a superintendent of schools for an 773
	884	+	urban school district; 774
	885	+	(B) Two appointed by the Connecticut Association of Schools, one of 775
	886	+	whom represents a suburban school district; and 776
	887	+	(C) One appointed by the Connecticut Federation of School 777
	888	+	Administrators. 778
	889	+	(4) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee. 779
	890	+	(5) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's 780
	891	+	designee. 781
	892	+	(6) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career 782
	893	+	System, or the superintendent's designee. 783
	894	+	(7) One appointed by the Governor, who is a representative of the 784
	895	+	Governor's Workforce Council, created pursuant to section 31-3h of the 785
	896	+	general statutes. 786
	897	+	(8) One appointed by the Connecticut Association of Boards of 787
	898	+	Education. 788
	899	+	(9) A representative from the Increasing Educator Diversity Policy 789
	900	+	Oversight Council, established pursuant to section 10-156bb of the 790
	901	+	general statutes, designated by the council. 791
	902	+	(10) A representative from the State Board of Education, designated 792
	903	+	by the state board, who shall be a nonvoting member of the board. 793
	904	+	(d) All initial appointments to the board shall be made not later than 794
	905	+	August 1, 2024. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority 795
	906	+	not later than ten days following such vacancy. Members shall serve 796
	907	+	three-year terms. The board shall establish bylaws for the operation and 797 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1230	908
1231		-	Public Act No. 24-41 38 of 84
1232	909
1233		-	appropriated to the department's personal services account for the
1234		-	purpose of filling such position reclassified pursuant to this section.
1235		-	Sec. 20. Subsection (a) of section 10-66r of the general statutes is
1236		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
1237		-	2024):
1238		-	(a) Each regional educational service center shall develop, in
1239		-	consultation with the Department of Education, a regional model for the
1240		-	provision of special education services related to transportation,
1241		-	training and therapeutic services to be used for the provision of such
1242		-	special education services to all school districts served by such regional
1243		-	educational service center. Each regional model shall take into account
1244		-	the least restrictive environment for students receiving special
1245		-	education and related services and include (1) a regional transportation
1246		-	plan, developed in consultation with public transit districts, that
1247		-	provides transportation to children requiring special education and
1248		-	related services, (2) a regional educator training plan that provides
1249		-	special education training to teachers, [school paraprofessionals]
1250		-	paraeducators and administrators that includes, but need not be limited
1251		-	to, instruction regarding classroom techniques to improve the provision
1252		-	of special education and related services to children and the
1253		-	implementation of scientific research-based interventions, (3) a regional
1254		-	plan for the provision of therapeutic services, including, but not limited
1255		-	to, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and (4)
1256		-	a plan for the provision of transportation, training and therapeutic
1257		-	services in a manner that makes such services readily available to each
1258		-	school district served by the regional educational service center rather
1259		-	than by request of a school district.
1260		-	Sec. 21. Section 10-74q of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
1261		-	is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1262		-	1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	910	+	LCO 26 of 30
1263	911
1264		-	Public Act No. 24-41 39 of 84
	912	+	management of the board. 798
	913	+	(e) The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be elected 799
	914	+	from among the voting members of the board. 800
	915	+	(f) Not later than January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the board 801
	916	+	shall develop an annual report that includes a detailed summary of the 802
	917	+	substance and disposition of any standards and proposals for 803
	918	+	regulations or legislation developed by the board or the State Board of 804
	919	+	Education pursuant to section 11 of this act. The board shall submit such 805
	920	+	annual report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 806
	921	+	having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with 807
	922	+	the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 808
	923	+	Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The Connecticut Educator 809
	924	+	Preparation and Certification Board and the State Board of Education 810
	925	+	shall each have the authority to develop standards and proposals for 811
	926	+	regulations and legislation relating to educator preparation and 812
	927	+	certification. 813
	928	+	(b) (1) Any such standard or proposal developed by the Connecticut 814
	929	+	Educator Preparation and Certification Board shall be submitted to the 815
	930	+	State Board of Education for review. The State Board of Education shall 816
	931	+	approve or reject any such standard or proposal not later than sixty days 817
	932	+	after receipt of such standard or proposal. If such standard or proposal 818
	933	+	is approved, such standard or proposal shall be implemented. 819
	934	+	(2) Any such standard or proposal developed by the State Board of 820
	935	+	Education shall be submitted to the Connecticut Educator Preparation 821
	936	+	and Certification Board for review. The Connecticut Educator 822
	937	+	Preparation and Certification Board shall approve or reject any such 823
	938	+	standard or proposal not later than sixty days after receipt of such 824
	939	+	standard or proposal. If such standard or proposal is approved, such 825
	940	+	standard or proposal shall be implemented. 826
	941	+	(3) If such approved proposal is for regulations, the State Board of 827
	942	+	Education shall adopt regulations consistent with such approved 828 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1265	943
1266		-	(a) Not later than July 1, 2024, the Department of Education, in
1267		-	consultation with the Departments of Developmental Services and
1268		-	Aging and Disability Services and the regional educational service
1269		-	centers, shall develop a training program for transition coordinators,
1270		-	educators and [school paraprofessionals] paraeducators. Such training
1271		-	program shall comply with the minimum standards established by the
1272		-	State-wide Transition Services Coordinator pursuant to section 10-74o.
1273		-	(b) Each regional educational service center shall provide the training
1274		-	program developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section at no cost
1275		-	to transition coordinators, educators and [school paraprofessionals]
1276		-	paraeducators who provide transition services and any other educators
1277		-	or school staff interested in becoming a transition coordinator or
1278		-	providing transition services.
1279		-	Sec. 22. Subsection (b) of section 10-74r of the 2024 supplement to the
1280		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1281		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1282		-	(b) Each educator and [school paraprofessional] paraeducator who
1283		-	provides special education for students fourteen years of age or older
1284		-	shall complete the training program developed by the Department of
1285		-	Education pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-74q, as amended by
1286		-	this act, provided (1) each such educator and [school paraprofessional]
1287		-	paraeducator hired prior to the date upon which the training program
1288		-	commences shall complete such training program during the five-year
1289		-	period immediately following such date, and (2) each such educator and
1290		-	[school paraprofessional] paraeducator hired after such date shall
1291		-	complete such training program not later than one year from the date
1292		-	such educator or [school paraprofessional] paraeducator is hired to
1293		-	provide such services.
1294		-	Sec. 23. Subdivision (10) of subsection (a) of section 10-76d of the 2024
1295		-	supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1296	944
1297		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 40 of 84
	945	+	LCO 27 of 30
1298	946
1299		-	substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1300		-	(10) (A) Each local and regional board of education responsible for
1301		-	providing special education and related services to a child or pupil shall
1302		-	notify the parent or guardian of a child who requires or who may
1303		-	require special education, a pupil if such pupil is an emancipated minor
1304		-	or eighteen years of age or older who requires or who may require
1305		-	special education or a surrogate parent appointed pursuant to section
1306		-	10-94g, in writing, at least five school days before such board proposes
1307		-	to, or refuses to, initiate or change the child's or pupil's identification,
1308		-	evaluation or educational placement or the provision of a free
1309		-	appropriate public education to the child or pupil.
1310		-	(B) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent,
1311		-	the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide such
1312		-	parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent an opportunity to meet with
1313		-	a member of the planning and placement team designated by such
1314		-	board prior to the referral planning and placement team meeting at
1315		-	which the assessments and evaluations of the child or pupil who
1316		-	requires or may require special education is presented to such parent,
1317		-	guardian, pupil or surrogate parent for the first time. Such meeting shall
1318		-	be for the sole purpose of discussing the planning and placement team
1319		-	process and any concerns such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate
1320		-	parent has regarding the child or pupil who requires or may require
1321		-	special education.
1322		-	(C) Such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent shall (i) be given
1323		-	at least five school days' prior notice of any planning and placement
1324		-	team meeting conducted for such child or pupil, (ii) have the right to be
1325		-	present at and participate in all portions of such meeting at which an
1326		-	educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or
1327		-	revised, (iii) have the right to have (I) advisors of such person's own
1328		-	choosing and at such person's own expense, (II) the [school
1329		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator assigned to such child or pupil, if any, Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	947	+	proposal in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general 829
	948	+	statutes. 830
	949	+	(4) If such approved proposal is for legislation, such approved 831
	950	+	proposal shall be submitted to the joint standing committee of the 832
	951	+	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, 833
	952	+	in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 834
	953	+	Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) Not later than July 1, 2025, 835
	954	+	the Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board, 836
	955	+	established pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall develop standards 837
	956	+	and proposals for regulations and legislation regarding (1) the 838
	957	+	evaluation criteria that will be used to assess proposals from local or 839
	958	+	regional boards of education, regional educational service centers and 840
	959	+	educator preparation programs for alternative pathways for educators 841
	960	+	to progress from an initial educator certificate to a professional educator 842
	961	+	certificate or to be issued a cross endorsement that will enable such 843
	962	+	educators to teach in content areas or grades beyond their initial 844
	963	+	certification areas, (2) the manner in which degrees from educator 845
	964	+	preparation programs approved by the State Board of Education will 846
	965	+	align with the revised endorsement codes under section 10-145d of the 847
	966	+	general statutes, as amended by this act, (3) the adequacy and relevance 848
	967	+	of existing certification endorsement areas, (4) the implementation of the 849
	968	+	standards for educator preparation programs developed by the Council 850
	969	+	for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, (5) the necessity of the 851
	970	+	temporary ninety-day certificate issued under section 10-145b of the 852
	971	+	general statutes, as amended by this act, and (6) the design and 853
	972	+	development of a state-wide data dashboard that enables longitudinal 854
	973	+	monitoring of educator workforce data. 855
	974	+	(b) Not later than July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the board shall 856
	975	+	(1) collect and review (A) state-specific data, including, but not limited 857
	976	+	to, qualitative data on stakeholders' experiences and quantitative data 858
	977	+	from the Department of Education on educator vacancies, shortage 859
	978	+	areas and the educator preparation program dashboard, and (B) data on 860
	979	+	applicable national policy developments relating to educator 861 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1330	980
1331		-	Public Act No. 24-41 41 of 84
1332	981
1333		-	(III) such child or pupil's birth-to-three service coordinator, if any, and
1334		-	(IV) a language interpreter, including a registered interpreter for
1335		-	persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind, who is present in
1336		-	person or available by telephone or through an online technology
1337		-	platform, or through an Internet web site or other electronic application
1338		-	approved by the State Board of Education, provided by the responsible
1339		-	local or regional board of education if there is an apparent need or upon
1340		-	the request of such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent, who
1341		-	shall attend and participate or be available in all portions of such
1342		-	meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is
1343		-	developed, reviewed or revised, and (iv) have the right to have each
1344		-	recommendation made in such child or pupil's birth -to-three
1345		-	individualized transition plan, as required by section 17a-248e, if any,
1346		-	addressed by the planning and placement team during such meeting at
1347		-	which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed. The
1348		-	notice given pursuant to clause (i) of this subparagraph shall include,
1349		-	but need not be limited to, specification of the rights enumerated in this
1350		-	subparagraph.
1351		-	(D) Immediately upon the formal identification of any child as a child
1352		-	requiring special education and at each planning and placement team
1353		-	meeting for such child, the responsible local or regional board of
1354		-	education shall inform the parent or guardian of such child or surrogate
1355		-	parent or, in the case of a pupil who is an emancipated minor or eighteen
1356		-	years of age or older, the pupil of (i) the laws relating to special
1357		-	education, (ii) the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or
1358		-	pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board
1359		-	of Education relating to special education, including the right of a
1360		-	parent, guardian or surrogate parent to (I) withhold from enrolling such
1361		-	child in kindergarten, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-
1362		-	184, (II) have advisors and the [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
1363		-	assigned to such child or pupil attend and participate in all portions of
1364		-	such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	982	+	LCO 28 of 30
1365	983
1366		-	Public Act No. 24-41 42 of 84
	984	+	preparation, certification and employment, (2) evaluate whether any 862
	985	+	changes are needed to the current educator preparation and certification 863
	986	+	frameworks, and (3) develop, as necessary, evidence-based standards 864
	987	+	and proposals for regulations and legislation to strengthen existing 865
	988	+	systems. 866
	989	+	Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The Connecticut Educator 867
	990	+	Preparation and Certification Board, established pursuant to section 10 868
	991	+	of this act, shall (1) conduct a review of the existing regulations and 869
	992	+	statutes relating to educator preparation and certification to identify 870
	993	+	obsolete or conflicting provisions of such regulations and statutes, (2) 871
	994	+	review the state's approach to assessing whether candidates for 872
	995	+	certification have demonstrated minimum content knowledge within 873
	996	+	their endorsement areas for purposes of section 10-145f of the general 874
	997	+	statutes, as amended by this act, and (3) develop recommendations as 875
	998	+	to whether alternative approaches should be offered to allow candidates 876
	999	+	to demonstrate such minimum content knowledge. Not later than 877
	1000	+	January 31, 2025, the board shall submit a report on its findings, as well 878
	1001	+	as any recommendations for legislation, to the State Board of Education 879
	1002	+	and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 880
	1003	+	cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the 881
	1004	+	provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 882
	1005	+	(b) The Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board, 883
	1006	+	established pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall (1) undertake a 884
	1007	+	comprehensive review of the certification endorsement areas for the 885
	1008	+	purpose of (A) developing standards regarding the adequacy and 886
	1009	+	relevance of such endorsement areas, and (B) considering whether the 887
	1010	+	grade ranges for the endorsement areas should be expanded, (2) explore 888
	1011	+	alternative pathways for educators to receive cross endorsements, and 889
	1012	+	(3) consider whether to transfer authority over candidate admission 890
	1013	+	criteria for alternate route to certification programs to the program 891
	1014	+	providers. Not later than July 1, 2025, the board shall submit a report on 892
	1015	+	its findings, as well as any recommendations for legislation, to the State 893
	1016	+	Board of Education and the joint standing committee of the General 894
	1017	+	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in 895 Substitute Bill No. 5436
1367	1018
1368		-	is developed, reviewed or revised, in accordance with the provisions of
1369		-	subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, (III) obtain the plain language
1370		-	resources available on the Department of Education's Internet web site
1371		-	pursuant to subsection (g) of section 10-76h explaining the hearing and
1372		-	appeals process, as provided in section 10-76h, available to such child or
1373		-	pupil if there is a disagreement about the individualized education
1374		-	program, identification, evaluation or educational placement of or the
1375		-	provision of a free appropriate public education to such child or pupil,
1376		-	and (IV) receive information regarding free and low-cost legal
1377		-	assistance, and (iii) any relevant information and resources relating to
1378		-	individualized education programs created by the Department of
1379		-	Education, including, but not limited to, information relating to
1380		-	transition resources and services for high school students and the
1381		-	Parent's Guide to Special Education in Connecticut developed by the
1382		-	department. If such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil does not
1383		-	attend a planning and placement team meeting, the responsible local or
1384		-	regional board of education shall mail such information to such person.
1385		-	Each responsible local or regional board of education shall provide a
1386		-	child or pupil's individualized education program, any documents
1387		-	relating to such program and all the information required pursuant to
1388		-	this subparagraph translated into the primary language spoken by such
1389		-	parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil if there is an apparent need
1390		-	or upon the request of the parent guardian, surrogate parent or pupil.
1391		-	(E) Each local and regional board of education shall have in effect at
1392		-	the beginning of each school year an educational program for each child
1393		-	or pupil who has been identified as eligible for special education, and
1394		-	shall provide (i) the informational handout described in section 10-74v
1395		-	to each child with an individualized education program or plan
1396		-	pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and (ii) the
1397		-	Parent's Guide to Special Education in Connecticut developed by the
1398		-	Department of Education and the rights and resources available to such
1399		-	child in the provision of special education and related services. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1400	1019
1401		-	~~Public Act No. 24-41~~ 43 of 84
	1020	+	LCO 29 of 30
1402	1021
1403		-	(F) (i) At each initial planning and placement team meeting for a child
1404		-	or pupil, the responsible local or regional board of education shall
1405		-	inform the parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil of the laws
1406		-	relating to physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to section 10-236b,
1407		-	as amended by this act, and the rights of such parent, guardian,
1408		-	surrogate parent or pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted
1409		-	by the State Board of Education relating to physical restraint and
1410		-	seclusion and the right of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or
1411		-	pupil, during such meeting at which an educational program for such
1412		-	child or pupil is developed, to have (I) such child or pupil's birth-to-
1413		-	three service coordinator attend and participate in all portions of such
1414		-	meeting, and (II) each recommendation made in the transition plan, as
1415		-	required by section 17a-248e, by such child or pupil's birth-to-three
1416		-	service coordinator addressed by the planning and placement team.
1417		-	(ii) At the first planning and placement team meeting after a child
1418		-	who requires special education and related services reaches the age of
1419		-	fourteen, each responsible local or regional board of education shall
1420		-	provide information to the child and the parent, guardian or surrogate
1421		-	parent about the full range of decision-making supports, including
1422		-	alternatives to guardianship and conservatorship, and the online
1423		-	resource developed by the Department of Education pursuant to section
1424		-	10-74s. The responsible local or regional board of education shall
1425		-	continue to provide such information to the child and the parent,
1426		-	guardian or surrogate parent at least annually thereafter.
1427		-	(iii) Each responsible local or regional board of education shall
1428		-	provide the notice created by the Mediation Services Coordinator
1429		-	pursuant to subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of section 10-76z to each
1430		-	parent, guardian or surrogate parent of any child who requires special
1431		-	education by (I) distributing such notice to such parents, guardians or
1432		-	surrogate parents at the beginning of each school year, and (II) reading
1433		-	such notice out loud at the conclusion of the first planning and Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	1022	+	accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 896
	1023	+	Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) Not later than July 1, 2026, the 897
	1024	+	Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board, established 898
	1025	+	pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall develop standards regarding the 899
	1026	+	criteria to be used when reviewing educator preparation programs and 900
	1027	+	alternate route to certification programs for new or continuing program 901
	1028	+	approval. Such standards shall include a requirement that (1) any 902
	1029	+	educator preparation program or alternate route to certification 903
	1030	+	program shall obtain continuing program approval every seven years, 904
	1031	+	and (2) the methodology for determinations regarding continuing 905
	1032	+	program approval shall be based on final accreditation decisions of the 906
	1033	+	Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and be classified 907
	1034	+	in the following categories: Approval, provisional, probationary or 908
	1035	+	denial of approval. 909
	1036	+	Sec. 15. (Effective July 1, 2025) Notwithstanding the provisions of 910
	1037	+	chapter 54 of the general statutes, sections 10-145d-9(b) to 10-145d-9(e), 911
	1038	+	inclusive, 10-145d-9(g)(1), 10-145d-9(i), 10-145d-10(a) to 10-145d-912
	1039	+	10(b)(9), inclusive, 10-145d-10(c) to 10-145d-10(g), inclusive, 10-145d-11, 913
	1040	+	10-145d-400a(a) to 10-145d-400a(d), inclusive, 10-145d-401(a), 10-145d-914
	1041	+	401(c), 10-145d-402, 10-145d-403(b), 10-145d-403(g), 10-145d-404 to 10-915
	1042	+	145d-406, inclusive, 10-145d-407(a), 10-145d-407(b), 10-145d-407(d), 10-916
	1043	+	145d-407(f), 10-145d-407(h), 10-145d-407(i), 10-145d-409 to 10-145d-415, 917
	1044	+	inclusive, 10-145d-417, 10-145d-419, 10-145d-420(f), 10-145d-421(b), 10-918
	1045	+	145d-422, 10-145d-423(a), 10-145d-426, 10-145d-427, 10-145d-434, 10-919
	1046	+	145d-435(b), 10-145d-436 to 10-145d-438, inclusive, 10-145d-441 to 10-920
	1047	+	145d-453, inclusive, 10-145d-472 to 10-145d-474, inclusive, 10-145d-476 921
	1048	+	to 10-145d-479, inclusive, 10-145d-481, 10-145d-482(c), 10-145d-482(d), 922
	1049	+	10-145d-483, 10-145d-484, 10-145d-535 to 10-145d-537, inclusive, 10-923
	1050	+	145d-539 to 10-145d-542, inclusive, 10-145d-608 and 10-145d-609 of the 924
	1051	+	regulations of Connecticut state agencies are repealed. 925
	1052	+	This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
	1053	+	sections:
	1054	+	Substitute Bill No. 5436
1434	1055
1435		-	Public Act No. 24-41 44 of 84
1436	1056
1437		-	placement team meeting at the beginning of each school year.
1438		-	(G) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent,
1439		-	the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide the
1440		-	results of the assessments and evaluations used in the determination of
1441		-	eligibility for special education for a child or pupil to such parent,
1442		-	guardian, surrogate parent or pupil at least three school days before the
1443		-	referral planning and placement team meeting at which such results of
1444		-	the assessments and evaluations will be discussed for the first time.
1445		-	(H) Each local or regional board of education shall monitor the
1446		-	development of each child who, pursuant to subsection (a) of section
1447		-	17a-248e, has been (i) referred for a registration on a mobile application
1448		-	designated by the Commissioner of Early Childhood, in partnership
1449		-	with such child's parent, guardian or surrogate parent, or (ii) provided
1450		-	a form for such child's parent, guardian or surrogate parent to complete
1451		-	and submit to such local or regional board of education that screens for
1452		-	developmental and social-emotional delays using a validated screening
1453		-	tool, such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Ages and Stages
1454		-	Social-Emotional Questionnaire, or its equivalent. If such monitoring
1455		-	results in suspecting a child of having a developmental delay, the board
1456		-	shall schedule a planning and placement team meeting with such child's
1457		-	parent, guardian or surrogate parent for the purposes of identifying
1458		-	services for which such child may be eligible, including, but not limited
1459		-	to, a preschool program under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
1460		-	Act, 20 USC 1471 et seq. If a parent, guardian or surrogate parent of any
1461		-	child referred for a registration on the mobile application or provided a
1462		-	form to complete and submit, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 17a-
1463		-	248e, fails to complete such registration or complete and submit such
1464		-	form after a period of six months from the date of such referral or
1465		-	provision of such form, the board shall send a reminder, in the form and
1466		-	manner determined by the board, to such parent, guardian or surrogate
1467		-	parent to complete such registration or complete and submit such form. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	1057	+	LCO 30 of 30
1468	1058
1469		-	Public Act No. 24-41 45 of 84
	1059	+	Section 1 July 1, 2024 10-145b
	1060	+	Sec. 2 July 1, 2024 10-145d(f)
	1061	+	Sec. 3 July 1, 2024 10-145a
	1062	+	Sec. 4 July 1, 2024 New section
	1063	+	Sec. 5 July 1, 2024 10-145f(b)
	1064	+	Sec. 6 July 1, 2024 New section
	1065	+	Sec. 7 July 1, 2024 10-145t(b)
	1066	+	Sec. 8 July 1, 2024 10-145w(a)
	1067	+	Sec. 9 July 1, 2024 10-144d(e)
	1068	+	Sec. 10 July 1, 2024 New section
	1069	+	Sec. 11 July 1, 2024 New section
	1070	+	Sec. 12 July 1, 2024 New section
	1071	+	Sec. 13 July 1, 2024 New section
	1072	+	Sec. 14 July 1, 2024 New section
	1073	+	Sec. 15 July 1, 2025 New section
1470	1074
1471		-	The board shall send another reminder after a period of one year from
1472		-	such referral or provision of such form if such registration remains
1473		-	incomplete or such form is not submitted.
1474		-	(I) Prior to any planning and placement team meeting for a child or
1475		-	pupil in which an educational program for such child or pupil is
1476		-	developed, reviewed or revised, if the parent, guardian, pupil or
1477		-	surrogate parent has requested that the [school paraprofessional]
1478		-	paraeducator assigned to such child or pupil attend such meeting, then
1479		-	the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide (i)
1480		-	adequate notice of such meeting to such [school paraprofessional]
1481		-	paraeducator so that such [school paraprofessional] paraeducator may
1482		-	adequately prepare for such meeting, and (ii) training, upon request of
1483		-	such [school paraprofessional] paraeducator, on the role of such [school
1484		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator at such meeting. Following such
1485		-	meeting, such [school paraprofessional] paraeducator, or any other
1486		-	paraprofessional who is providing special education or related services
1487		-	to such child, shall review such educational program with a supervisor,
1488		-	as needed, and be permitted to view such educational program in order
1489		-	to be able to provide special education or related services to such child
1490		-	or pupil in accordance with such educational program.
1491		-	Sec. 24. Section 10-155j of the general statutes is repealed and the
1492		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1493		-	The Department of Education shall, within available appropriations,
1494		-	promote and encourage professional development activities for [school
1495		-	paraprofessionals] paraeducators with instructional responsibilities.
1496		-	Such activities may include, but shall not be limited to, providing local
1497		-	and regional boards of education with training modules and curricula
1498		-	for professional development for [paraprofessionals] paraeducators and
1499		-	assisting boards of education in the effective use of [paraprofessionals]
1500		-	paraeducators and the development of strategies to improve
1501		-	communications between teachers and [paraprofessionals] Substitute House Bill No. 5436
	1075	+	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
	1076	+	In Section 1(a)(2), "(i)" and "(ii)" were changed to "[i] (A)" and "[ii] (B)"
	1077	+	for consistency with standard drafting conventions.
1502	1078
1503		-	Public Act No. 24-41 46 of 84
1504		-
1505		-	paraeducators in the provision of effective student instruction.
1506		-	Sec. 25. Section 10-155k of the general statutes is repealed and the
1507		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1508		-	On and after July 1, 2013, the Commissioner of Education shall
1509		-	establish a School Paraprofessional Advisory Council, which on and
1510		-	after July 1, 2021, shall be known as the School Paraeducator Advisory
1511		-	Council, consisting of (1) one [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
1512		-	from each state-wide bargaining representative organization that
1513		-	represents [school paraprofessionals] paraeducators with instructional
1514		-	responsibilities, (2) one representative from each of the exclusive
1515		-	bargaining units for certified employees, chosen pursuant to section 10-
1516		-	153b, (3) the most recent recipient of the Connecticut [Paraprofessional]
1517		-	Paraeducator of the Year Award, (4) two representatives from the
1518		-	regional educational service centers, appointed by the Commissioner of
1519		-	Education, and (5) a school administrator, appointed by the Connecticut
1520		-	Federation of School Administrators. The council shall hold quarterly
1521		-	meetings and advise, at least quarterly, the Commissioner of Education,
1522		-	or the commissioner's designee, of the needs for (A) professional
1523		-	development and the training of [paraprofessionals] paraeducators and
1524		-	the effectiveness of the content and the delivery of existing training for
1525		-	such [paraprofessionals] paraeducators, (B) appropriate staffing
1526		-	strategies for [paraprofessionals, and (C)] paraeducators, and (C)
1527		-	consideration of other relevant issues relating to [paraprofessionals]
1528		-	paraeducators. The council shall report, annually, in accordance with
1529		-	the provisions of section 11-4a, on the recommendations given to the
1530		-	commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, pursuant to the
1531		-	provisions of this section, to the joint standing committee of the General
1532		-	Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education.
1533		-	Sec. 26. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-156gg of the
1534		-	2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
1535		-	substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1536		-
1537		-	Public Act No. 24-41 47 of 84
1538		-
1539		-	(2) "Minority candidate" means an individual who is a minority and
1540		-	employed by a local or regional board of education as a [school
1541		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator or an associate instructor;
1542		-	Sec. 27. Section 10-212a of the general statutes is repealed and the
1543		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1544		-	(a) (1) A school nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse
1545		-	licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse
1546		-	employed by, or providing services under the direction of a local or
1547		-	regional board of education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall
1548		-	administer medical preparations only to students enrolled in such
1549		-	school-based health clinic in the absence of a school nurse, the principal,
1550		-	any teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational
1551		-	therapist employed by a school district, or coach of intramural and
1552		-	interscholastic athletics of a school may administer, subject to the
1553		-	provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, medicinal preparations,
1554		-	including such controlled drugs as the Commissioner of Consumer
1555		-	Protection may, by regulation, designate, to any student at such school
1556		-	pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed to practice
1557		-	medicine, or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or
1558		-	another state, or an optometrist licensed to practice optometry in this
1559		-	state under chapter 380, or an advanced practice registered nurse
1560		-	licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, or a physician
1561		-	assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the
1562		-	written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. The
1563		-	administration of medicinal preparations by a nurse licensed pursuant
1564		-	to the provisions of chapter 378, a principal, teacher, licensed athletic
1565		-	trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a
1566		-	school district, or coach shall be under the general supervision of a
1567		-	school nurse. No such school nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher,
1568		-	licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist
1569		-	employed by a school district, coach or [school paraprofessional] Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1570		-
1571		-	Public Act No. 24-41 48 of 84
1572		-
1573		-	paraeducator administering medication pursuant to this section shall be
1574		-	liable to such student or a parent or guardian of such student for civil
1575		-	damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of
1576		-	such school nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher, licensed athletic
1577		-	trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a
1578		-	school district, coach or [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
1579		-	administering medication pursuant to this section in administering such
1580		-	preparations that may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity
1581		-	does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton
1582		-	negligence.
1583		-	(2) Each local and regional board of education that allows a school
1584		-	nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse licensed pursuant
1585		-	to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse employed by, or
1586		-	providing services under the direction of a local or regional board of
1587		-	education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall administer medical
1588		-	preparations only to students enrolled in such school-based health clinic
1589		-	in the absence of a school nurse, the principal, any teacher, licensed
1590		-	athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by
1591		-	a school district, coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics or
1592		-	[school paraprofessional] paraeducator of a school to administer
1593		-	medicine or that allows a student to possess, self-administer or possess
1594		-	and self-administer medicine, including medicine administered
1595		-	through the use of an asthmatic inhaler or an automatic prefilled
1596		-	cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment, shall adopt
1597		-	written policies and procedures, in accordance with this section and the
1598		-	regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, that shall
1599		-	be approved by the school medical advisor, if any, or other qualified
1600		-	licensed physician. Once so approved, such administration of
1601		-	medication shall be in accordance with such policies and procedures.
1602		-	(3) A director of a school readiness program as defined in section 10-
1603		-	16p or a before or after school program exempt from licensure by the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1604		-
1605		-	Public Act No. 24-41 49 of 84
1606		-
1607		-	Department of Public Health pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection
1608		-	(b) of section 19a-77, or the director's designee, may administer
1609		-	medications to a child enrolled in such a program in accordance with
1610		-	regulations adopted by the State Board of Education in accordance with
1611		-	the provisions of chapter 54. No individual administering medications
1612		-	pursuant to this subdivision shall be liable to such child or a parent or
1613		-	guardian of such child for civil damages for any personal injuries that
1614		-	result from acts or omissions of such individual in administering such
1615		-	medications which may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity
1616		-	shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton
1617		-	negligence.
1618		-	(b) Each school wherein any controlled drug is administered under
1619		-	the provisions of this section shall keep such records thereof as are
1620		-	required of hospitals under the provisions of subsections (f) and (h) of
1621		-	section 21a-254 and shall store such drug in such manner as the
1622		-	Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall, by regulation, require.
1623		-	(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
1624		-	Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance
1625		-	with the provisions of chapter 54, determined to be necessary by the
1626		-	board to carry out the provisions of this section, including, but not
1627		-	limited to, regulations that (1) specify conditions under which a coach
1628		-	of intramural and interscholastic athletics may administer medicinal
1629		-	preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations
1630		-	adopted by the commissioner, to a child participating in such intramural
1631		-	and interscholastic athletics, (2) specify conditions and procedures for
1632		-	the administration of medication by school personnel to students,
1633		-	including, but not limited to, (A) the conditions and procedures for the
1634		-	storage and administration of epinephrine by school personnel to
1635		-	students for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who
1636		-	experience allergic reactions and who do not have a prior written
1637		-	authorization for the administration of epinephrine, in accordance with Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1638		-
1639		-	Public Act No. 24-41 50 of 84
1640		-
1641		-	the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, and (B)
1642		-	the conditions and procedures for the storage and administration of
1643		-	opioid antagonists by school personnel to students who experience an
1644		-	opioid-related drug overdose and who do not have a prior written
1645		-	authorization for the administration of an opioid antagonist, in
1646		-	accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of
1647		-	this section, and (3) specify conditions for the possession, self-
1648		-	administration or possession and self-administration of medication by
1649		-	students, including permitting a child diagnosed with: (A) Asthma to
1650		-	retain possession of an asthmatic inhaler at all times while attending
1651		-	school for prompt treatment of the child's asthma and to protect the
1652		-	child against serious harm or death provided a written authorization for
1653		-	self-administration of medication signed by the child's parent or
1654		-	guardian and an authorized prescriber is submitted to the school nurse;
1655		-	and (B) an allergic condition to retain possession of an automatic
1656		-	prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment at
1657		-	all times, including while attending school or receiving school
1658		-	transportation services, for prompt treatment of the child's allergic
1659		-	condition and to protect the child against serious harm or death
1660		-	provided a written authorization for self-administration of medication
1661		-	signed by the child's parent or guardian and an authorized prescriber is
1662		-	submitted to the school nurse. The regulations shall require
1663		-	authorization pursuant to: (i) The written order of a physician licensed
1664		-	to practice medicine in this or another state, a dentist licensed to practice
1665		-	dental medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered
1666		-	nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under
1667		-	chapter 370, a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375, or an optometrist
1668		-	licensed under chapter 380; and (ii) the written authorization of a parent
1669		-	or guardian of such child.
1670		-	(d) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or
1671		-	guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a qualified medical
1672		-	professional, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any, may Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1673		-
1674		-	Public Act No. 24-41 51 of 84
1675		-
1676		-	jointly approve and provide general supervision to an identified [school
1677		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator to administer medication, including,
1678		-	but not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to
1679		-	a specific student with a medically diagnosed allergic condition that
1680		-	may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against
1681		-	serious harm or death.
1682		-	(2) A school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified
1683		-	school employee shall maintain epinephrine in cartridge injectors for the
1684		-	purpose of emergency first aid to students who experience allergic
1685		-	reactions and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or
1686		-	guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for
1687		-	the administration of epinephrine. A school nurse or a school principal
1688		-	shall select qualified school employees to administer such epinephrine
1689		-	under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one such qualified
1690		-	school employee on the grounds of the school during regular school
1691		-	hours in the absence of a school nurse. A school nurse or, in the absence
1692		-	of such school nurse, such qualified school employee may administer
1693		-	such epinephrine under this subdivision, provided such administration
1694		-	of epinephrine is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted
1695		-	pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Such administration of
1696		-	epinephrine by a qualified school employee shall be limited to situations
1697		-	when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school
1698		-	employee shall administer such epinephrine under this subdivision
1699		-	unless such qualified school employee annually completes the training
1700		-	program described in section 10-212g. The parent or guardian of a
1701		-	student may submit, in writing, to the school nurse and school medical
1702		-	advisor, if any, that epinephrine shall not be administered to such
1703		-	student under this subdivision.
1704		-	(3) In the case of a student with a medically diagnosed life-
1705		-	threatening allergic condition, (A) with the written authorization of
1706		-	such student's parent or guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1707		-
1708		-	Public Act No. 24-41 52 of 84
1709		-
1710		-	of a qualified medical professional, such student may possess, self-
1711		-	administer or possess and self-administer medication, including, but
1712		-	not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to
1713		-	protect such student against serious harm or death.
1714		-	(4) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "cartridge injector" means an
1715		-	automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable
1716		-	equipment used to deliver epinephrine in a standard dose for
1717		-	emergency first aid response to allergic reactions, (B) "qualified school
1718		-	employee" means a principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed
1719		-	physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach
1720		-	or [school paraprofessional] paraeducator, and (C) "qualified medical
1721		-	professional" means (i) a physician licensed under chapter 370, (ii) an
1722		-	optometrist licensed to practice optometry under chapter 380, (iii) an
1723		-	advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance
1724		-	with section 20-94a, or (iv) a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in
1725		-	accordance with section 20-12d.
1726		-	(e) (1) With the written authorization of a student's parent or
1727		-	guardian, and (2) pursuant to a written order of the student's physician
1728		-	licensed under chapter 370 or the student's advanced practice registered
1729		-	nurse licensed under chapter 378, a school nurse or a school principal
1730		-	shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a
1731		-	qualified school employee to administer medication with injectable
1732		-	equipment used to administer glucagon to a student with diabetes that
1733		-	may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against
1734		-	serious harm or death. Such authorization shall be limited to situations
1735		-	when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school
1736		-	employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (A)
1737		-	such qualified school employee annually completes any training
1738		-	required by the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, in the
1739		-	administration of medication with injectable equipment used to
1740		-	administer glucagon, (B) the school nurse and school medical advisor, Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1741		-
1742		-	Public Act No. 24-41 53 of 84
1743		-
1744		-	if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has
1745		-	completed such training, and (C) such qualified school employee
1746		-	voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee. For purposes
1747		-	of this subsection, "injectable equipment used to administer glucagon"
1748		-	means an injector or injectable equipment used to deliver glucagon in
1749		-	an appropriate dose for emergency first aid response to diabetes. For
1750		-	purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a
1751		-	principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or
1752		-	occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or [school
1753		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator.
1754		-	(f) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or
1755		-	guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed
1756		-	under chapter 370 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed
1757		-	under chapter 378, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any,
1758		-	shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a
1759		-	qualified school employee to administer antiepileptic medication,
1760		-	including by rectal syringe, to a specific student with a medically
1761		-	diagnosed epileptic condition that requires prompt treatment in
1762		-	accordance with the student's individual seizure action plan. Such
1763		-	authorization shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is
1764		-	absent or unavailable. No qualified school employee shall administer
1765		-	medication under this subsection unless (i) such qualified school
1766		-	employee annually completes the training program described in
1767		-	subdivision (2) of this subsection, (ii) the school nurse and school
1768		-	medical advisor, if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified
1769		-	school employee has completed such training, (iii) such qualified school
1770		-	employee receives monthly reviews by the school nurse to confirm such
1771		-	qualified school employee's competency to administer antiepileptic
1772		-	medication under this subsection, and (iv) such qualified school
1773		-	employee voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee. For
1774		-	purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a
1775		-	principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1776		-
1777		-	Public Act No. 24-41 54 of 84
1778		-
1779		-	occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or [school
1780		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator.
1781		-	(2) The Department of Education, in consultation with the School
1782		-	Nurse Advisory Council, established pursuant to section 10-212f, and
1783		-	the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut, shall develop an
1784		-	antiepileptic medication administrating training program. Such training
1785		-	program shall include instruction in (A) an overview of childhood
1786		-	epilepsy and types of seizure disorders, (B) interpretation of individual
1787		-	student's emergency seizure action plan and recognition of individual
1788		-	student's seizure activity, (C) emergency management procedures for
1789		-	seizure activity, including administration techniques for emergency
1790		-	seizure medication, (D) when to activate emergency medical services
1791		-	and postseizure procedures and follow-up, (E) reporting procedures
1792		-	after a student has required such delegated emergency seizure
1793		-	medication, and (F) any other relevant issues or topics related to
1794		-	emergency interventions for students who experience seizures.
1795		-	(g) (1) A school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified
1796		-	school employee may maintain opioid antagonists for the purpose of
1797		-	emergency first aid to students who experience an opioid-related drug
1798		-	overdose and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or
1799		-	guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for
1800		-	the administration of such opioid antagonist. A school nurse or a school
1801		-	principal shall select qualified school employees to administer such
1802		-	opioid antagonist under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one
1803		-	such qualified school employee on the grounds of the school during
1804		-	regular school hours in the absence of a school nurse. A school nurse or,
1805		-	in the absence of such school nurse, such qualified school employee may
1806		-	administer such opioid antagonist under this subdivision, provided
1807		-	such administration of the opioid antagonist is in accordance with
1808		-	policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this
1809		-	section. Such administration of an opioid antagonist by a qualified Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1810		-
1811		-	Public Act No. 24-41 55 of 84
1812		-
1813		-	school employee shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is
1814		-	absent or unavailable. No school nurse or qualified school employee
1815		-	shall administer such opioid antagonist under this subdivision unless
1816		-	such school nurse or qualified school employee completes a training
1817		-	program in the distribution and administration of an opioid antagonist
1818		-	developed by the Department of Education, Department of Public
1819		-	Health and the Department of Consumer Protection, or under an
1820		-	agreement entered into pursuant to section 21a-286. The parent or
1821		-	guardian of a student may submit a request, in writing, to the school
1822		-	nurse and school medical advisor, if any, that an opioid antagonist shall
1823		-	not be administered to such student under this subdivision.
1824		-	(2) Not later than October 1, 2022, the Department of Education, in
1825		-	consultation with the Departments of Consumer Protection and Public
1826		-	Health, shall develop guidelines for use by local and regional boards of
1827		-	education on the storage and administration of opioid antagonists in
1828		-	schools in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
1829		-	(3) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "opioid antagonist" means
1830		-	naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe
1831		-	drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the
1832		-	treatment of a drug overdose, (B) "qualified school employee" means a
1833		-	principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or
1834		-	occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or [school
1835		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator, and (C) "qualified medical
1836		-	professional" means (i) a physician licensed under chapter 370, (ii) an
1837		-	optometrist licensed to practice optometry under chapter 380, (iii) an
1838		-	advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance
1839		-	with section 20-94a, or (iv) a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in
1840		-	accordance with section 20-12d.
1841		-	Sec. 28. Subsection (b) of section 10-221o of the general statutes is
1842		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
1843		-	2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1844		-
1845		-	Public Act No. 24-41 56 of 84
1846		-
1847		-	(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2022, and each school year
1848		-	thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall adopt a
1849		-	policy, as the board deems appropriate, concerning the circumstances
1850		-	when a school employee may prevent or otherwise restrict a student
1851		-	from participating in the entire time devoted to physical exercise in the
1852		-	regular school day, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, as a form
1853		-	of discipline. Such policy shall (1) permit such prevention or restriction
1854		-	(A) when a student poses a danger to the health or safety of other
1855		-	students or school personnel, or (B) when such prevention or restriction
1856		-	is limited to the period devoted to physical exercise that is the shortest
1857		-	in duration if there are two or more periods devoted to physical exercise
1858		-	in a school day, provided the period of time devoted to physical exercise
1859		-	that such student may participate in during such school day is at least
1860		-	twenty minutes in duration, (2) only permit such prevention or
1861		-	restriction once during a school week, unless such student is a danger
1862		-	to the health or safety of other students or school personnel, (3) not
1863		-	include any provisions that such board determines are unreasonably
1864		-	restrictive or punitive, (4) distinguish between (A) discipline imposed
1865		-	prior to the start of such time devoted to physical exercise and discipline
1866		-	imposed during such time devoted to physical exercise, and (B)
1867		-	discipline that (i) prevents or otherwise restricts a student from
1868		-	participating in such time devoted to physical exercise prior to such time
1869		-	devoted to physical exercise, and (ii) methods used to redirect a
1870		-	student's behavior during such time devoted to physical exercise, and
1871		-	(5) not permit such prevention or restriction if a student does not
1872		-	complete such student's work on time or for such student's academic
1873		-	performance. For purposes of this section, "school employee" means (A)
1874		-	a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school
1875		-	superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist,
1876		-	social worker, nurse, physician, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
1877		-	or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working
1878		-	in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (B) any other
1879		-	individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1880		-
1881		-	Public Act No. 24-41 57 of 84
1882		-
1883		-	contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of
1884		-	students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school,
1885		-	pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
1886		-	Sec. 29. Section 10-221u of the general statutes is repealed and the
1887		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1888		-	Not later than October 1, 2013, each local and regional board of
1889		-	education shall adopt a policy, as the board deems appropriate,
1890		-	concerning the issue regarding any school employee being involved in
1891		-	requiring any student enrolled in grades kindergarten to twelve,
1892		-	inclusive, to engage in physical activity as a form of discipline during
1893		-	the regular school day. For purposes of this section, "school employee"
1894		-	means (1) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school
1895		-	superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist,
1896		-	social worker, nurse, physician, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
1897		-	or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working
1898		-	in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (2) any other
1899		-	individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular
1900		-	contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of
1901		-	students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school,
1902		-	pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
1903		-	Sec. 30. Subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 10-222d of the
1904		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1905		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1906		-	(8) "School employee" means (A) a teacher, substitute teacher, school
1907		-	administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school
1908		-	counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, [school
1909		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator or coach employed by a local or regional
1910		-	board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high
1911		-	school; or (B) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her
1912		-	duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1913		-
1914		-	Public Act No. 24-41 58 of 84
1915		-
1916		-	or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high
1917		-	school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of
1918		-	education;
1919		-	Sec. 31. Subsections (d) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-223e of the
1920		-	general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1921		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1922		-	(d) (1) For those schools classified as category three schools, the
1923		-	department may require such schools to (A) develop and implement
1924		-	plans consistent with this section and federal law to elevate the school
1925		-	from low achieving status, and (B) be the subject of actions as described
1926		-	in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared
1927		-	in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of
1928		-	this section.
1929		-	(2) For those schools classified as category three schools, the
1930		-	department may require the local or regional board of education for
1931		-	such schools to collaborate with the regional educational service center
1932		-	that serves the area in which such schools are located to develop plans
1933		-	to ensure such schools provide (A) early education opportunities, (B)
1934		-	summer school, (C) extended school day or year programming, (D)
1935		-	weekend classes, (E) tutorial assistance to their students, or (F)
1936		-	professional development to their administrators, principals, teachers
1937		-	and [paraprofessionals] paraeducators. In requiring any educational
1938		-	program authorized by this subdivision, the Commissioner of
1939		-	Education may limit the offering of such program to the subgroup of
1940		-	students that have failed to reach performance benchmarks or those in
1941		-	transitional or milestone grades or those who are otherwise at
1942		-	substantial risk of educational failure as described in the state-wide
1943		-	performance management and support plan, prepared in accordance
1944		-	with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section.
1945		-	(e) (1) (A) Any school or school district identified as in need of Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1946		-
1947		-	Public Act No. 24-41 59 of 84
1948		-
1949		-	improvement pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this
1950		-	section and requiring corrective action pursuant to the requirements of
1951		-	the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, shall be designated and
1952		-	listed as a low achieving school or school district and shall be subject to
1953		-	intensified supervision and direction by the State Board of Education.
1954		-	(B) Any school classified as a category four school or category five
1955		-	school or a school designated as a focus school shall be designated as
1956		-	low achieving and shall be subject to intensified supervision and
1957		-	direction by the State Board of Education.
1958		-	(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this title or any regulation
1959		-	adopted pursuant to said title, except as provided in subdivision (3) of
1960		-	this subsection, in carrying out the provisions of subdivision (1) of this
1961		-	subsection and this subdivision, the State Board of Education shall take
1962		-	any of the following actions to improve student performance of the
1963		-	school district, a particular school in the district or among student
1964		-	subgroups, and remove the school or district from the list of schools or
1965		-	districts designated and listed as a low achieving school or district
1966		-	pursuant to said subdivision (1), and to address other needs of the
1967		-	school or district: (A) Require an operations audit to identify possible
1968		-	programmatic savings and an instructional audit to identify any deficits
1969		-	in curriculum and instruction or in the learning environment of the
1970		-	school or district; (B) require the local or regional board of education for
1971		-	such school or district to use state and federal funds for critical needs,
1972		-	as directed by the State Board of Education; (C) provide incentives to
1973		-	attract highly qualified teachers and principals; (D) direct the transfer
1974		-	and assignment of teachers and principals; (E) require additional
1975		-	training and technical assistance for parents and guardians of children
1976		-	attending the school or a school in the district and for teachers,
1977		-	principals, and central office staff members hired by the district; (F)
1978		-	require the local or regional board of education for the school or district
1979		-	to implement model curriculum, including, but not limited to, Substitute House Bill No. 5436
1980		-
1981		-	Public Act No. 24-41 60 of 84
1982		-
1983		-	recommended textbooks, materials and supplies approved by the
1984		-	Department of Education; (G) identify schools for reconstitution, as may
1985		-	be phased in by the commissioner, as state or local charter schools,
1986		-	schools established pursuant to section 10-74g, innovation schools
1987		-	established pursuant to section 10-74h, or schools based on other models
1988		-	for school improvement, or for management by an entity other than the
1989		-	local or regional board of education for the district in which the school
1990		-	is located; (H) direct the local or regional board of education for the
1991		-	school or district to develop and implement a plan addressing deficits
1992		-	in achievement and in the learning environment as recommended in the
1993		-	instructional audit; (I) assign a technical assistance team to the school or
1994		-	district to guide school or district initiatives and report progress to the
1995		-	Commissioner of Education; (J) establish instructional and learning
1996		-	environment benchmarks for the school or district to meet as it
1997		-	progresses toward removal from the list of low achieving schools or
1998		-	districts; (K) provide funding to any proximate district to a district
1999		-	designated as a low achieving school district so that students in a low
2000		-	achieving district may attend public school in a neighboring district; (L)
2001		-	direct the establishment of learning academies within schools that
2002		-	require continuous monitoring of student performance by teacher
2003		-	groups; (M) require a local or regional board of education to (i) undergo
2004		-	training designed to improve the operational efficiency and
2005		-	effectiveness of the board of education as leaders of its district
2006		-	improvement plans by distinguishing and making clear the proper roles
2007		-	and different functions of the board of education, including the
2008		-	responsibility of developing the improvement plans and education
2009		-	policy for the district, and the school and district-level administrators,
2010		-	including the responsibility of implementing such improvement plans
2011		-	and policies, and (ii) submit an annual action plan to the Commissioner
2012		-	of Education outlining how, when and in what manner their
2013		-	effectiveness shall be monitored; (N) require the appointment of (i) a
2014		-	superintendent, approved by the Commissioner of Education, or (ii) a
2015		-	district improvement officer, selected by the commissioner, whose Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2016		-
2017		-	Public Act No. 24-41 61 of 84
2018		-
2019		-	authority is consistent with the provisions of section 138 of public act
2020		-	11-61, and whose term shall be for one school year, except that the State
2021		-	Board of Education may extend such period; or (O) any combination of
2022		-	the actions described in this subdivision or similar, closely related
2023		-	actions.
2024		-	(3) If a directive of the State Board of Education pursuant to
2025		-	subparagraph (C), (D), (E), (G) or (L) of subdivision (2) of this subsection
2026		-	or a directive to implement a plan pursuant to subparagraph (H) of said
2027		-	subdivision (2) affects working conditions, such directive shall be
2028		-	carried out in accordance with the provisions of sections 10-153a to 10-
2029		-	153n, inclusive.
2030		-	(f) The State Board of Education shall monitor the progress of each
2031		-	school or district designated as a low achieving school or district
2032		-	pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of this section and provide
2033		-	notice to the local or regional board of education for each such school or
2034		-	district of the school or district's progress toward meeting the
2035		-	benchmarks established by the State Board of Education pursuant to
2036		-	subsection (e) of this section. If a school or district fails to make
2037		-	acceptable progress toward meeting such benchmarks established by
2038		-	the State Board of Education or fails to make adequate yearly progress
2039		-	pursuant to the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-
2040		-	110, for two consecutive years while designated as a low achieving
2041		-	school district, the State Board of Education, after consultation with the
2042		-	Governor and chief elected official or officials of the district, may (1)
2043		-	request that the General Assembly enact legislation authorizing that
2044		-	control of the district be reassigned to the State Board of Education or
2045		-	other authorized entity, or (2) notwithstanding the provisions of chapter
2046		-	146, any special act, charter or ordinance, grant the Commissioner of
2047		-	Education the authority to reconstitute the local or regional board of
2048		-	education for such school district in accordance with the provisions of
2049		-	subsection (i) of this section. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2050		-
2051		-	Public Act No. 24-41 62 of 84
2052		-
2053		-	(g) Any school district or elementary school after two successive
2054		-	years of failing to make adequate yearly progress shall be designated as
2055		-	a low achieving school district or school and shall be evaluated by the
2056		-	Commissioner of Education. After such evaluation, the commissioner
2057		-	may require that such school district or school provide full-day
2058		-	kindergarten classes, summer school, extended school day, weekend
2059		-	classes, tutorial assistance to its students or professional development
2060		-	to its administrators, principals, teachers and [paraprofessional teacher
2061		-	aides] paraeducators if (1) on any subpart of the mastery examination
2062		-	administered to students in grade three, pursuant to section 10-14n,
2063		-	thirty per cent or more of the students in any subgroup, as defined by
2064		-	the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, do not achieve the level of
2065		-	proficiency or higher, or (2) the commissioner determines that it would
2066		-	be in the best educational interests of the school or the school district to
2067		-	have any of these programs. In ordering any educational program
2068		-	authorized by this subsection, the commissioner may limit the offering
2069		-	of the program to the subgroup of students that have failed to achieve
2070		-	proficiency as determined by this subsection, those in particular grades
2071		-	or those who are otherwise at substantial risk of educational failure. The
2072		-	costs of instituting the ordered educational programs shall be borne by
2073		-	the identified low achieving school district or the school district in
2074		-	which an identified low achieving school is located. The commissioner
2075		-	shall not order an educational program that costs more to implement
2076		-	than the total increase in the amount of the grant that a town receives
2077		-	pursuant to section 10-262i in any fiscal year above the prior fiscal year.
2078		-	Sec. 32. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 10-223j of the
2079		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2080		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2081		-	(4) The provisions of subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this
2082		-	subsection shall not apply to a school described in said subdivisions if
2083		-	(A) such school consists of a single grade level, or (B) such school is Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2084		-
2085		-	Public Act No. 24-41 63 of 84
2086		-
2087		-	under the jurisdiction of a local or regional board of education that has
2088		-	adopted a similar school governance council model on or before July 1,
2089		-	2011, that consists of parents, teachers from each grade level or subject
2090		-	area, administrators and [paraprofessionals] paraeducators and such
2091		-	school governance council model is being administered at such school
2092		-	at the time such school is so identified as in need of improvement or so
2093		-	designated as a low achieving school.
2094		-	Sec. 33. Subsection (o) of section 10-236b of the 2024 supplement to
2095		-	the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2096		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2097		-	(o) (1) Each local or regional board of education shall provide training
2098		-	regarding the physical restraint and seclusion of students to the
2099		-	members of the crisis intervention team for each school in the district,
2100		-	identified pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection. A local or
2101		-	regional board of education may provide such training to any teacher,
2102		-	as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act, administrator, as
2103		-	defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator or
2104		-	other school employee, as defined in section 10-222d, as amended by
2105		-	this act, designated by the school principal and who has direct contact
2106		-	with students. Such training shall be provided during the school year
2107		-	commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year thereafter, and shall
2108		-	include, but not be limited to:
2109		-	(A) An overview of the relevant laws and regulations regarding the
2110		-	use of physical restraint and seclusion on students and the proper uses
2111		-	of physical restraint and seclusion. For the school year commencing July
2112		-	1, 2017, and annually thereafter, such overview shall be provided by the
2113		-	Department of Education, in a manner and form as prescribed by the
2114		-	Commissioner of Education;
2115		-	(B) The creation of a plan by which each local and regional board of
2116		-	education shall provide training regarding the prevention of incidents Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2117		-
2118		-	Public Act No. 24-41 64 of 84
2119		-
2120		-	requiring physical restraint or seclusion of students. Such plan shall be
2121		-	implemented not later than July 1, 2018. The Department of Education
2122		-	may, within available appropriations, provide ongoing monitoring and
2123		-	support to local or regional boards of education regarding the
2124		-	formulation and implementation of the plan; and
2125		-	(C) The creation of a plan by which each local or regional board of
2126		-	education shall provide training regarding the proper means of physical
2127		-	restraint or seclusion of a student, including, but not limited to, (i)
2128		-	various types of physical restraint and seclusion; (ii) the differences
2129		-	between life-threatening physical restraint and other varying levels of
2130		-	physical restraint; (iii) the differences between permissible physical
2131		-	restraint and pain compliance techniques; and (iv) monitoring methods
2132		-	to prevent harm to a student who is physically restrained or in seclusion.
2133		-	Such plan shall be implemented not later than July 1, 2018;
2134		-	(2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year
2135		-	thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall require each
2136		-	school in the district to identify a crisis intervention team consisting of
2137		-	any teacher, as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act,
2138		-	administrator, as defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional]
2139		-	paraeducator or other school employee, as defined in section 10-222d,
2140		-	as amended by this act, designated by the school principal and who has
2141		-	direct contact with students. Such teams shall respond to any incident
2142		-	in which the use of physical restraint or seclusion may be necessary as
2143		-	an emergency intervention to prevent immediate or imminent injury to
2144		-	a student or to others. Each member of the crisis intervention team shall
2145		-	be recertified in the use of physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to
2146		-	subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection or chapter 814e
2147		-	on an annual basis. Each local and regional board of education shall
2148		-	maintain a list of the members of the crisis intervention team for each
2149		-	school.
2150		-	Sec. 34. Subsection (o) of section 10-236b of the 2024 supplement to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2151		-
2152		-	Public Act No. 24-41 65 of 84
2153		-
2154		-	the general statutes, as amended by section 67 of public act 23-167, is
2155		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2156		-	2025):
2157		-	(o) (1) Each local or regional board of education shall provide training
2158		-	regarding the physical restraint and seclusion of students to the
2159		-	members of the crisis intervention team for each school in the district,
2160		-	identified pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection. A local or
2161		-	regional board of education may provide such training to any teacher,
2162		-	as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act, administrator, as
2163		-	defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator or
2164		-	other school employee, as defined in section 10-222aa, designated by the
2165		-	school principal and who has direct contact with students. Such training
2166		-	shall be provided during the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and
2167		-	each school year thereafter, and shall include, but not be limited to:
2168		-	(A) An overview of the relevant laws and regulations regarding the
2169		-	use of physical restraint and seclusion on students and the proper uses
2170		-	of physical restraint and seclusion. For the school year commencing July
2171		-	1, 2017, and annually thereafter, such overview shall be provided by the
2172		-	Department of Education, in a manner and form as prescribed by the
2173		-	Commissioner of Education;
2174		-	(B) The creation of a plan by which each local and regional board of
2175		-	education shall provide training regarding the prevention of incidents
2176		-	requiring physical restraint or seclusion of students. Such plan shall be
2177		-	implemented not later than July 1, 2018. The Department of Education
2178		-	may, within available appropriations, provide ongoing monitoring and
2179		-	support to local or regional boards of education regarding the
2180		-	formulation and implementation of the plan; and
2181		-	(C) The creation of a plan by which each local or regional board of
2182		-	education shall provide training regarding the proper means of physical
2183		-	restraint or seclusion of a student, including, but not limited to, (i) Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2184		-
2185		-	Public Act No. 24-41 66 of 84
2186		-
2187		-	various types of physical restraint and seclusion; (ii) the differences
2188		-	between life-threatening physical restraint and other varying levels of
2189		-	physical restraint; (iii) the differences between permissible physical
2190		-	restraint and pain compliance techniques; and (iv) monitoring methods
2191		-	to prevent harm to a student who is physically restrained or in seclusion.
2192		-	Such plan shall be implemented not later than July 1, 2018;
2193		-	(2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year
2194		-	thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall require each
2195		-	school in the district to identify a crisis intervention team consisting of
2196		-	any teacher, as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act,
2197		-	administrator, as defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional]
2198		-	paraeducator or other school employee, as defined in section 10-222aa,
2199		-	designated by the school principal and who has direct contact with
2200		-	students. Such teams shall respond to any incident in which the use of
2201		-	physical restraint or seclusion may be necessary as an emergency
2202		-	intervention to prevent immediate or imminent injury to a student or to
2203		-	others. Each member of the crisis intervention team shall be recertified
2204		-	in the use of physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to subparagraph
2205		-	(C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection or chapter 814e on an annual
2206		-	basis. Each local and regional board of education shall maintain a list of
2207		-	the members of the crisis intervention team for each school.
2208		-	Sec. 35. Subsection (a) of section 10-239e of the general statutes is
2209		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2210		-	2024):
2211		-	(a) The demonstration board shall authorize the parents or legal
2212		-	guardian of scholarship recipients to use the demonstration
2213		-	scholarships at any public or private school in which the scholarship
2214		-	recipient is enrolled provided such public or private school: (1) Meets
2215		-	all educational, fiscal, health and safety standards required by law, (2)
2216		-	does not discriminate against the admission of students and the hiring
2217		-	of teachers on the basis of race, color or economic status and has filed a Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2218		-
2219		-	Public Act No. 24-41 67 of 84
2220		-
2221		-	certificate with the State Board of Education that the school is in
2222		-	compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (3) in no case
2223		-	levies or requires any tuition, fee or charge above the value of the
2224		-	education scholarship, (4) is free from sectarian control or influence
2225		-	except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, (5) provides public
2226		-	access to all financial and administrative records and provides to the
2227		-	parent or guardian of each eligible child in the demonstration area
2228		-	comprehensive information, in written form, on the courses of study
2229		-	offered, curriculum, materials and textbooks, the qualifications of
2230		-	teachers, administrators and [paraprofessionals] paraeducators, the
2231		-	minimum school day, the salary schedules, financial reports of money
2232		-	spent per pupil and such other information as may be required by the
2233		-	demonstration board, (6) provides periodic reports to the parents on the
2234		-	average progress of the pupils enrolled, and (7) meets any additional
2235		-	requirements established for all participating schools by the
2236		-	demonstration board.
2237		-	Sec. 36. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 17a-812 of the
2238		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2239		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2240		-	(1) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall provide,
2241		-	upon written request from any interested school district, the services of
2242		-	teachers who instruct students who are visually impaired, based on the
2243		-	levels established in the individualized education or service plan. The
2244		-	Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall also make
2245		-	available resources, including, but not limited to, the braille and large
2246		-	print library, to all teachers of public and nonpublic school children. The
2247		-	commissioner may also provide vision -related professional
2248		-	development and training to all school districts and cover the actual cost
2249		-	for [paraprofessionals] paraeducators from school districts to
2250		-	participate in agency-sponsored braille training programs. The
2251		-	commissioner shall utilize education consultant positions, funded by Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2252		-
2253		-	Public Act No. 24-41 68 of 84
2254		-
2255		-	moneys appropriated from the General Fund, to supplement new
2256		-	staffing that will be made available through the educational aid for
2257		-	children who are blind or visually impaired account, which shall be
2258		-	governed by formal written policies established by the commissioner.
2259		-	Sec. 37. Subsection (a) of section 46a-11b of the general statutes is
2260		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2261		-	2024):
2262		-	(a) Any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of chapter
2263		-	370, any resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state,
2264		-	whether or not so licensed, any registered nurse, any person paid for
2265		-	caring for persons in any facility and any licensed practical nurse,
2266		-	medical examiner, dental hygienist, dentist, occupational therapist,
2267		-	optometrist, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, social worker, school
2268		-	teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school counselor,
2269		-	[school paraprofessional] paraeducator, licensed behavior analyst,
2270		-	mental health professional, physician assistant, licensed or certified
2271		-	substance abuse counselor, licensed marital and family therapist, speech
2272		-	and language pathologist, clergyman, police officer, pharmacist,
2273		-	physical therapist, licensed professional counselor or sexual assault
2274		-	counselor or domestic violence counselor, as defined in section 52-146k,
2275		-	who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person with
2276		-	intellectual disability or any person who receives services from the
2277		-	Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder
2278		-	Services has been abused or neglected shall, as soon as practicable but
2279		-	not later than forty-eight hours after such person has reasonable cause
2280		-	to suspect or believe that a person with intellectual disability or any
2281		-	person who receives services from the Department of Social Services'
2282		-	Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has been abused or
2283		-	neglected, report such information or cause a report to be made in any
2284		-	reasonable manner to the commissioner, or the commissioner's
2285		-	designee. An unsuccessful attempt to make an initial report to the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2286		-
2287		-	Public Act No. 24-41 69 of 84
2288		-
2289		-	commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, on a weekend, holiday
2290		-	or after normal business hours shall not be construed as a violation of
2291		-	this section if reasonable attempts are made by a person required to
2292		-	report under this subsection to reach the commissioner, or the
2293		-	commissioner's designee, as soon as practicable after the initial attempt.
2294		-	The initial report shall be followed up by a written report not later than
2295		-	five calendar days after the initial report was made. Any person
2296		-	required to report under this subsection who fails to make such report
2297		-	shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. For purposes of this
2298		-	subsection, "reasonable manner" and "reasonable attempts" mean efforts
2299		-	that include, but are not limited to, efforts to reach the commissioner, or
2300		-	the commissioner's designee, by phone, in person or by electronic mail.
2301		-	Sec. 38. Subdivision (13) of section 53a-65 of the 2024 supplement to
2302		-	the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2303		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2304		-	(13) "School employee" means: (A) A teacher, substitute teacher,
2305		-	school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor,
2306		-	school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, [school
2307		-	paraprofessional] paraeducator or coach employed by a local or regional
2308		-	board of education or a private elementary, middle or high school or
2309		-	working in a public or private elementary, middle or high school; or (B)
2310		-	any other person who, in the performance of his or her duties, has
2311		-	regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf
2312		-	of students enrolled in (i) a public elementary, middle or high school,
2313		-	pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education, or
2314		-	(ii) a private elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract
2315		-	with the supervisory agent of such private school.
2316		-	Sec. 39. Subsection (a) of section 31-3i of the 2024 supplement to the
2317		-	general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2318		-	thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2319		-
2320		-	Public Act No. 24-41 70 of 84
2321		-
2322		-	(a) Pursuant to Section 101 of the federal Workforce Innovation and
2323		-	Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, the members of the Governor's
2324		-	Workforce Council shall be:
2325		-	(1) The Governor;
2326		-	(2) A member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the
2327		-	speaker of the House of Representatives, and a member of the Senate,
2328		-	appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
2329		-	(3) Twenty-four members, appointed by the Governor, who (A) are
2330		-	owners of a business, chief executives or operating officers of a business,
2331		-	or other business executives or employers with optimum policy-making
2332		-	or hiring authority; (B) represent businesses or organizations
2333		-	representing businesses that provide employment opportunities that, at
2334		-	a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and
2335		-	development in in-demand industry sectors or occupation in the state;
2336		-	or (C) have been nominated by state business organizations or business
2337		-	trade associations. At a minimum, at least one such member shall
2338		-	represent small businesses, as defined by the United States Small
2339		-	Business Administration; [.]
2340		-	(4) The Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of Aging and Disability
2341		-	Services, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Economic and
2342		-	Community Development and the Chief Workforce Officer, or their
2343		-	respective designees;
2344		-	(5) Four representatives of labor organizations, who have been
2345		-	nominated by state labor federations and appointed by the Governor;
2346		-	(6) An individual, appointed by the Governor, who is a member of a
2347		-	labor organization or a training director from a joint labor-management
2348		-	apprenticeship program, or, if no such joint program exists in the state,
2349		-	such a representative of an apprenticeship program in the state; Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2350		-
2351		-	Public Act No. 24-41 71 of 84
2352		-
2353		-	(7) An individual, appointed by the Governor, who is an expert in
2354		-	residential construction;
2355		-	(8) Five members, appointed by the Governor, who represent
2356		-	community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience
2357		-	and expertise in addressing employment, training, or education,
2358		-	including one representative of a community action agency, as defined
2359		-	in section 17b-885, and one representative of a philanthropic
2360		-	organization;
2361		-	(9) A representative from the Connecticut State Colleges and
2362		-	Universities, a representative from The University of Connecticut and a
2363		-	representative from a nonprofit institution of higher education in the
2364		-	state, each appointed by the Governor;
2365		-	(10) A representative from a regional vocational-technical school and
2366		-	a representative from a regional agricultural science and technology
2367		-	school, each appointed by the Governor;
2368		-	(11) Two superintendents of a local or regional board of education,
2369		-	appointed by the Governor;
2370		-	(12) A certified teacher employed by a local or regional board of
2371		-	education, appointed by the Governor;
2372		-	[(12)] (13) Two chief elected officials of municipalities, appointed by
2373		-	the Governor; and
2374		-	[(13)] (14) Two members of the public, who are enrolled in or who
2375		-	have recently completed a nondegree workforce training program,
2376		-	appointed by the Governor.
2377		-	Sec. 40. Section 17a-101a of the general statutes is repealed and the
2378		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2379		-	(a) (1) Any mandated reporter, as described in section 17a-101, who Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2380		-
2381		-	Public Act No. 24-41 72 of 84
2382		-
2383		-	in the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has
2384		-	reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of
2385		-	eighteen years (A) has been abused or neglected, as described in section
2386		-	46b-120, (B) has had nonaccidental physical injury, or injury which is at
2387		-	variance with the history given of such injury, inflicted upon such child,
2388		-	or (C) is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, or (2) any school
2389		-	employee, as defined in section 53a-65, as amended by this act, who in
2390		-	the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has
2391		-	reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person who is being
2392		-	educated by the Technical Education and Career System, [or] a local or
2393		-	regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education
2394		-	program, or a nonpublic school, is a victim under the provisions of
2395		-	section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, and the
2396		-	perpetrator is a school employee shall report or cause a report to be
2397		-	made in accordance with the provisions of sections 17a-101b to 17a-
2398		-	101d, inclusive.
2399		-	[(b) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of this
2400		-	section who fails to make such report or fails to make such report within
2401		-	the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive,
2402		-	and section 17a-103 shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except that
2403		-	such person shall be guilty of a class E felony if (A) such violation is a
2404		-	subsequent violation, (B) such violation was wilful or intentional or due
2405		-	to gross negligence, or (C) such person had actual knowledge that (i) a
2406		-	child was abused or neglected, as described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a
2407		-	person was a victim described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this
2408		-	section.
2409		-	(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with
2410		-	or prevents the making of a report pursuant to this section, or attempts
2411		-	or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of a class D felony. The provisions
2412		-	of this subdivision shall not apply to any child under the age of eighteen
2413		-	years or any person who is being educated by the Technical Education Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2414		-
2415		-	Public Act No. 24-41 73 of 84
2416		-
2417		-	and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than
2418		-	as part of an adult education program.
2419		-	(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection
2420		-	shall be required to participate in an educational and training program.
2421		-	The program may be provided by one or more private organizations
2422		-	approved by the commissioner, provided the entire cost of the program
2423		-	shall be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which
2424		-	shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner.
2425		-	(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the
2426		-	commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's
2427		-	Attorney when there is reason to believe that any such person has failed
2428		-	to make a report in accordance with this section.]
2429		-	[(d)] (b) For purposes of this section and section 17a-101b, a
2430		-	mandated reporter's suspicion or belief may be based on factors
2431		-	including, but not limited to, observations, allegations, facts or
2432		-	statements by a child, victim, as described in subdivision (2) of
2433		-	subsection (a) of this section, or third party. Such suspicion or belief does
2434		-	not require certainty or probable cause. Nothing in this section shall
2435		-	preclude a mandated reporter from conducting a preliminary inquiry to
2436		-	determine if reasonable cause exists for such mandated reporter to make
2437		-	a report pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
2438		-	Sec. 41. Section 17a-101e of the general statutes is repealed and the
2439		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2440		-	(a) No employer shall (1) discharge, or in any manner discriminate or
2441		-	retaliate against, any employee who in good faith makes a report
2442		-	pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this
2443		-	act, and 17a-103, testifies or is about to testify in any proceeding
2444		-	involving child abuse or neglect, or (2) hinder or prevent, or attempt to
2445		-	hinder or prevent, any employee from making a report pursuant to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2446		-
2447		-	Public Act No. 24-41 74 of 84
2448		-
2449		-	sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and
2450		-	17a-103, or testifying in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect.
2451		-	The Attorney General may bring an action in Superior Court against an
2452		-	employer who violates this subsection. The court may assess a civil
2453		-	penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars and may
2454		-	order such other equitable relief as the court deems appropriate.
2455		-	(b) Any person, institution or agency [which, in good faith,] that (1)
2456		-	makes or does not make, in good faith, a report pursuant to sections 17a-
2457		-	101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103, or (2)
2458		-	provides, in good faith, professional medical intervention or assistance
2459		-	in any proceeding involving child abuse and neglect, including, but not
2460		-	limited to, (A) causing a photograph, x-ray or a physical custody
2461		-	examination to be made, (B) causing a child to be taken into emergency
2462		-	protective custody, (C) disclosing a medical record or other information
2463		-	pertinent to the proceeding, or (D) performing a medically relevant test,
2464		-	shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, which might
2465		-	otherwise arise from or be related to the actions taken pursuant to this
2466		-	subsection and shall have the same immunity with respect to any
2467		-	judicial proceeding which results from such report or actions, provided
2468		-	such person did not perpetrate or cause such abuse or neglect. The
2469		-	immunity from civil or criminal liability extends only to actions done
2470		-	pursuant to this subsection and does not extend to the malpractice of a
2471		-	medical professional that results in personal injury or death.
2472		-	(c) Any person who is alleged to have knowingly made a false report
2473		-	of child abuse or neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d,
2474		-	inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103 shall be referred to the
2475		-	office of the Chief State's Attorney for purposes of a criminal
2476		-	investigation.
2477		-	(d) Any person who knowingly makes a false report of child abuse or
2478		-	neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended
2479		-	by this act, and 17a-103 shall be fined not more than two thousand Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2480		-
2481		-	Public Act No. 24-41 75 of 84
2482		-
2483		-	dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.
2484		-	Sec. 42. Subsection (d) of section 17a-101i of the general statutes is
2485		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2486		-	2024):
2487		-	(d) If a school employee, as defined in section 53a-65, as amended by
2488		-	this act, or any person holding a certificate, permit or authorization
2489		-	issued by the State Board of Education under the provisions of sections
2490		-	10-144o to 10-149, inclusive, is convicted of a crime involving an act of
2491		-	child abuse or neglect as described in section 46b-120 or a violation of
2492		-	subdivision (2) of subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a] (d) of section 17a-
2493		-	101o, as amended by this act, or section 53-21, 53a-71 or 53a-73a against
2494		-	any person, or a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-72a or 53a-72b
2495		-	against a victim, as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of
2496		-	section 17a-101a, as amended by this act, the state's attorney for the
2497		-	judicial district in which the conviction occurred shall in writing notify
2498		-	the superintendent of the school district or the supervisory agent of the
2499		-	nonpublic school in which the person is employed and the
2500		-	Commissioner of Education of such conviction.
2501		-	Sec. 43. Section 17a-101o of the general statutes is repealed and the
2502		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2503		-	(a) If the Commissioner of Children and Families suspects or knows
2504		-	that a mandated reporter, as defined in section 17a-101, [employed by a
2505		-	local or regional board of education,] has failed to make a report that a
2506		-	child has been abused or neglected or placed in immediate risk of
2507		-	serious harm within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to
2508		-	[17a-101d] 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, [and section 17a-
2509		-	103,] the commissioner shall make a record of such [delay] failure to
2510		-	report and develop and maintain a database of such records. The
2511		-	commissioner shall [investigate such delayed reporting. Such
2512		-	investigation] conduct an assessment with respect to such failure to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2513		-
2514		-	Public Act No. 24-41 76 of 84
2515		-
2516		-	report. Such assessment shall be conducted in accordance with the
2517		-	policy developed in subsection (b) of this section, and include the
2518		-	actions taken by the employing local or regional board of education or
2519		-	superintendent of schools for the district in response to such employee's
2520		-	failure to report.
2521		-	(b) The Department of Children and Families shall develop a policy
2522		-	for the [investigation of delayed reports by mandated reporters]
2523		-	assessment of the failure of mandated reporters to make reports within
2524		-	the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as
2525		-	amended by this act. Such policy shall include, but not be limited to,
2526		-	when referrals to the appropriate law enforcement agency for [delayed
2527		-	reporting] the failure to report are required and when the department
2528		-	shall require mandated reporters who have been found to have [delayed
2529		-	making a report] failed to make reports to participate in the educational
2530		-	and training program pursuant to subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a]
2531		-	(d) of this section.
2532		-	(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the
2533		-	commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's
2534		-	Attorney when there is reason to believe that a mandated reporter has
2535		-	failed to make a report in accordance with sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c,
2536		-	inclusive, as amended by this act.
2537		-	(d) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of section
2538		-	17a-101a, as amended by this act, who fails to make such report or fails
2539		-	to make such report within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-
2540		-	101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be guilty of a
2541		-	class A misdemeanor, except that such person shall be guilty of a class
2542		-	E felony if (A) such violation is a subsequent violation, (B) such violation
2543		-	was wilful or intentional or due to gross negligence, or (C) such person
2544		-	had actual knowledge that (i) a child was abused or neglected, as
2545		-	described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a person was a victim described in
2546		-	subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as amended by this Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2547		-
2548		-	Public Act No. 24-41 77 of 84
2549		-
2550		-	act.
2551		-	(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with
2552		-	or prevents the making of a report pursuant to section 17a-101a, as
2553		-	amended by this act, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of
2554		-	a class D felony. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to
2555		-	any child under the age of eighteen years or any person who is being
2556		-	educated by the Technical Education and Career System, a local or
2557		-	regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education
2558		-	program, or a nonpublic school.
2559		-	(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection
2560		-	shall be required to participate in an educational and training program.
2561		-	The program may be provided by one or more private organizations
2562		-	approved by the commissioner and the entire cost of the program shall
2563		-	be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which shall
2564		-	be subject to the approval of the commissioner.
2565		-	[(c)] (e) For purposes of this section, "child" includes any victim
2566		-	described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as
2567		-	amended by this act.
2568		-	Sec. 44. Section 10-145i of the general statutes is repealed and the
2569		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2570		-	Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-146b,
2571		-	inclusive, and 10-149, the State Board of Education shall not issue or
2572		-	reissue any certificate, authorization or permit pursuant to said sections
2573		-	if (1) the applicant for such certificate, authorization or permit has been
2574		-	convicted of any of the following: (A) A capital felony, as defined under
2575		-	the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012; (B)
2576		-	arson murder, as defined in section 53a-54d; (C) any class A felony; (D)
2577		-	any class B felony except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-
2578		-	291; (E) a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2579		-
2580		-	Public Act No. 24-41 78 of 84
2581		-
2582		-	in section 46b-120; or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as
2583		-	amended by this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a,
2584		-	53a-72b, 53a-73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191,
2585		-	53a-196, 53a-196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or a violation of
2586		-	subsection (a) of section 21a-277, and (2) the applicant completed
2587		-	serving the sentence for such conviction within the five years
2588		-	immediately preceding the date of the application.
2589		-	Sec. 45. Section 10-149a of the general statutes is repealed and the
2590		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2591		-	If a person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the
2592		-	State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-
2593		-	149, inclusive, is convicted of a felony or fined pursuant to section [17a-
2594		-	101a] 17a-101o, as amended by this act, the state's attorney or assistant
2595		-	state's attorney for the judicial district in which the conviction or fine
2596		-	occurred shall notify, in writing, the Commissioner of Education of such
2597		-	conviction or fine.
2598		-	Sec. 46. Subsection (a) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is
2599		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2600		-	2024):
2601		-	(a) No local or regional board of education, governing council of a
2602		-	state or local charter school, interdistrict magnet school operator or
2603		-	supervisory agent of a nonpublic school shall offer employment to an
2604		-	applicant for a position, including any position which is contracted for,
2605		-	if such applicant would have direct student contact, prior to such board,
2606		-	council, operator or supervisory agent:
2607		-	(1) Requiring of such applicant:
2608		-	(A) To list the name, address and telephone number of each current
2609		-	or former employer of the applicant, if such current or former employer
2610		-	was a local or regional board of education, council, operator or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2611		-
2612		-	Public Act No. 24-41 79 of 84
2613		-
2614		-	supervisory agent or if such employment otherwise caused the
2615		-	applicant to have contact with children;
2616		-	(B) A written authorization that (i) consents to and authorizes
2617		-	disclosure by the employers listed under subparagraph (A) of this
2618		-	subdivision of the information requested under subdivision (2) of this
2619		-	subsection and the release of related records by such employers, (ii)
2620		-	consents to and authorizes disclosure by the Department of Education
2621		-	of the information requested under subdivision (3) of this subsection
2622		-	and the release of related records by the department, and (iii) releases
2623		-	those employers and the department from liability that may arise from
2624		-	such disclosure or release of records pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3)
2625		-	of this subsection; and
2626		-	(C) A written statement of whether the applicant (i) has been the
2627		-	subject of an abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct investigation by any
2628		-	employer, state agency or municipal police department, unless the
2629		-	investigation resulted in a finding that all allegations were
2630		-	unsubstantiated, (ii) has ever been disciplined or asked to resign from
2631		-	employment or resigned from or otherwise separated from any
2632		-	employment while an allegation of abuse or neglect was pending or
2633		-	under investigation by the Department of Children and Families, or an
2634		-	allegation of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation or
2635		-	due to an allegation substantiated pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse
2636		-	or neglect, or of sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect
2637		-	or sexual misconduct, or (iii) has ever had a professional or occupational
2638		-	license or certificate suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such
2639		-	a license or certificate while an allegation of abuse or neglect was
2640		-	pending or under investigation by the department or an investigation
2641		-	of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or due to an
2642		-	allegation substantiated by the department of abuse or neglect or of
2643		-	sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect or sexual
2644		-	misconduct; Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2645		-
2646		-	Public Act No. 24-41 80 of 84
2647		-
2648		-	(2) Conducting a review of the employment history of the applicant
2649		-	by contacting those employers listed by the applicant under subdivision
2650		-	(1) of this subsection. Such review shall be conducted using a form
2651		-	developed by the Department of Education in accordance with section
2652		-	3 of public act 16-67 that shall request (A) the dates of employment of
2653		-	the applicant, and (B) a statement as to whether the employer has
2654		-	knowledge that the applicant (i) was the subject of an allegation of abuse
2655		-	or neglect or sexual misconduct for which there is an investigation
2656		-	pending with any employer, state agency or municipal po lice
2657		-	department or which has been substantiated, unless such substantiation
2658		-	has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section
2659		-	17a-101k; (ii) was disciplined or asked to resign from employment or
2660		-	resigned from or otherwise separated from any employment while an
2661		-	allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or
2662		-	under investigation, or due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or
2663		-	sexual misconduct, unless such substantiation has been reversed as a
2664		-	result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section 17a-101k; or (iii) has
2665		-	ever had a professional or occupational license, certificate, authorization
2666		-	or permit suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such a license,
2667		-	certificate, authorization or permit while an allegation of abuse or
2668		-	neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or
2669		-	due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct, unless
2670		-	such substantiation has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted
2671		-	pursuant to section 17a-101k. Such review may be conducted
2672		-	telephonically or through written communication. Notwithstanding the
2673		-	provisions of subsection (g) of section 31-51i, not later than five business
2674		-	days after any such current or former employer of the applicant receives
2675		-	a request for such information, such employer shall respond with such
2676		-	information. A local or regional board of education, council, operator or
2677		-	supervisory agent may request more information concerning any
2678		-	response made by a current or former employer, and, notwithstanding
2679		-	the provisions of said subsection (g), such employer shall respond not
2680		-	later than five business days after receiving such request; and Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2681		-
2682		-	Public Act No. 24-41 81 of 84
2683		-
2684		-	(3) Requesting information from the Department of Education
2685		-	concerning (A) the eligibility status for employment of any applicant for
2686		-	a position requiring a certificate, authorization or permit issued
2687		-	pursuant to chapter 166, (B) whether the department has knowledge
2688		-	that a finding has been substantiated by the Department of Children and
2689		-	Families pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse or neglect or of sexual
2690		-	misconduct against the applicant and any information concerning such
2691		-	a finding, and (C) whether the department has received notification that
2692		-	the applicant has been convicted of a crime or of criminal charges
2693		-	pending against the applicant and any information concerning such
2694		-	charges.
2695		-	Sec. 47. Subsection (m) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is
2696		-	repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2697		-	2024):
2698		-	(m) No local or regional board of education, council, operator or
2699		-	supervisory agent shall offer employment to any applicant who had any
2700		-	previous employment contract terminated by a board, council, operator
2701		-	or supervisory agent or who resigned from such employment, if such
2702		-	person has been convicted of a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o,
2703		-	as amended by this act, when an allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual
2704		-	assault has been substantiated.
2705		-	Sec. 48. Section 10-221s of the general statutes is repealed and the
2706		-	following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2707		-	(a) Each local and regional board of education shall post the
2708		-	telephone number for the Careline operated by the Department of
2709		-	Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-103a, and the Internet
2710		-	web site address that provides information about the Careline in a
2711		-	conspicuous location frequented by students in each school under the
2712		-	jurisdiction of the board. Such posting shall be in various languages that
2713		-	are the most appropriate for the students enrolled in the school. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2714		-
2715		-	Public Act No. 24-41 82 of 84
2716		-
2717		-	(b) A local or regional board of education shall permit and give
2718		-	priority to any investigation conducted by the Commissioner of
2719		-	Children and Families or the appropriate local law enforcement agency
2720		-	that a child has been abused or neglected pursuant to sections 17a-101a
2721		-	to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and section 17a-103. Such
2722		-	board of education shall conduct its own investigation and take any
2723		-	disciplinary action, in accordance with the provisions of section 17a-
2724		-	101i, as amended by this act, upon notice from the commissioner or the
2725		-	appropriate local law enforcement agency that such board's
2726		-	investigation will not interfere with the investigation of the
2727		-	commissioner or such local law enforcement agency. A preliminary
2728		-	inquiry described in subsection (b) of section 17a-101a, as amended by
2729		-	this act, shall not be considered an investigation conducted by a board
2730		-	of education under this section.
2731		-	Sec. 49. (Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2024, the
2732		-	Commissioner of Children and Families shall update the educational
2733		-	training program and refresher training program for the accurate and
2734		-	prompt identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect,
2735		-	developed pursuant to subsection (c) of section 17a-101 of the general
2736		-	statutes, to include training for school employees, as defined in section
2737		-	53a-65 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, on (1) the proper
2738		-	manner in which to conduct a preliminary inquiry described in
2739		-	subsection (b) of section 17a-101a of the general statutes, as amended by
2740		-	this act, and (2) the provisions of section 10-221s of the general statutes,
2741		-	as amended by this act.
2742		-	Sec. 50. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-156ii of the 2024
2743		-	supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is
2744		-	substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
2745		-	(a) There is established an aspiring educators diversity scholarship
2746		-	program administered by the Department of Education. The program
2747		-	shall provide an annual scholarship to diverse students who (1) Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2748		-
2749		-	Public Act No. 24-41 83 of 84
2750		-
2751		-	graduated from a public high school in [a priority school district, as
2752		-	described in section 10-266p] an alliance district, as defined in section
2753		-	10-262u, and (2) are enrolled in a teacher preparation program at any
2754		-	four-year institution of higher education. A diverse student may receive
2755		-	an annual scholarship in an amount up to ten thousand dollars for each
2756		-	year such diverse student is enrolled and in good standing in a teacher
2757		-	preparation program. As used in this section, "diverse" has the same
2758		-	meaning as provided in section 10-156bb.
2759		-	(b) Not later than January 1, 2023, the department shall, in
2760		-	consultation with the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the
2761		-	General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education,
2762		-	develop a policy concerning the administration of the scholarship. Such
2763		-	policy shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions regarding (1)
2764		-	any additional eligibility criteria, (2) payment and distribution of the
2765		-	scholarships to diverse students through the teacher preparation
2766		-	programs in which they are enrolled, and (3) the notification of students
2767		-	in high school in [priority school] alliance districts of the scholarship
2768		-	program, including the opportunity to apply for a scholarship under the
2769		-	program while enrolled in high school and prior to graduation if such
2770		-	student will be enrolled in a teacher preparation program during the
2771		-	following fall semester at a four-year institution of higher education.
2772		-	Sec. 51. (Effective July 1, 2026) Notwithstanding the provisions of
2773		-	chapter 54 of the general statutes, sections 10-145d-9(b) to 10-145d-9(e),
2774		-	inclusive, 10-145d-9(g)(1), 10-145d-9(i), 10-145d-10(a) to 10-145d-
2775		-	10(b)(9), inclusive, 10-145d-10(c) to 10-145d-10(g), inclusive, 10-145d-11,
2776		-	10-145d-400a(a) to 10-145d-400a(d), inclusive, 10-145d-401(a), 10-145d-
2777		-	401(c), 10-145d-402, 10-145d-403(b), 10-145d-403(g), 10-145d-404 to 10-
2778		-	145d-406, inclusive, 10-145d-407(a), 10-145d-407(b), 10-145d-407(d), 10-
2779		-	145d-407(f), 10-145d-407(h), 10-145d-407(i), 10-145d-409 to 10-145d-415,
2780		-	inclusive, 10-145d-417, 10-145d-419, 10-145d-420(f), 10-145d-421(b), 10-
2781		-	145d-422, 10-145d-423(a), 10-145d-426, 10-145d-427, 10-145d-434, 10- Substitute House Bill No. 5436
2782		-
2783		-	Public Act No. 24-41 84 of 84
2784		-
2785		-	145d-435(b), 10-145d-436 to 10-145d-438, inclusive, 10-145d-441 to 10-
2786		-	145d-453, inclusive, 10-145d-472 to 10-145d-474, inclusive, 10-145d-476
2787		-	to 10-145d-479, inclusive, 10-145d-481, 10-145d-482(c), 10-145d-482(d),
2788		-	10-145d-483, 10-145d-484, 10-145d-535 to 10-145d-537, inclusive, 10-
2789		-	145d-539 to 10-145d-542, inclusive, 10-145d-608 and 10-145d-609 of the
2790		-	regulations of Connecticut state agencies are repealed.
	1079	+	ED Joint Favorable Subst.
2791	1080