Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41
AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION, TEACHERS,
PARAEDUCATORS AND MANDATED REPORTER
REQUIREMENTS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 10-145b of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) The State Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper
application, shall issue an initial educator certificate to any person who
(1) holds a bachelor's degree or an advanced degree from an institution
of higher education that is regionally accredited or has received an
equivalent accreditation, and (2) has [completed (A) an educator
preparation program approved by the State Board of Education or the
appropriate governing body in the state in which the institution of
higher education is located, or (B) an alternate route to certification
program approved by the State Board of Education or the appropriate
governing body in the state in which such alternate route to certification
program is located, and satisfies the requirements for a temporary
ninety-day certificate, pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, or a
resident teacher certificate, pursuant to section 10-145m] successfully
completed one of the pathways described in section 6 of this act. In
addition, on and after July 1, 2018, each applicant shall have completed Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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a subject area major as defined by the State Board of Education, except
[(i)] (A) as provided in section 10-145l, or [(ii)] (B) where an applicant
achieves a satisfactory evaluation on an appropriate State Board of
Education approved subject area assessment or has completed
advanced coursework in a relevant subject area. [Each] Any such initial
educator certificate issued prior to July 1, 2025, that has not expired on
or before July 1, 2025, shall be extended to be valid for a period of ten
years from the date of issuance, and any such initial educator certificate
issued on and after July 1, 2025, shall be valid for [three] ten years [,
except as provided in subsection (c) of this section,] and may be
extended by the Commissioner of Education for an additional year for
good cause upon the request of the superintendent in whose school
district such person is employed or upon the request of the assessment
team reviewing such person's performance, provided the commissioner
may not grant such extension more than three times to any person. The
commissioner may, upon application, reissue an initial educator
certificate to any person who holds, but has not served under, an initial
educator certificate, if such person can demonstrate that he or she
satisfies the preparation and eligibility requirements that were in place
at the time such initial educator certificate was originally issued to such
person.
(b) During the period of employment in a public school, a person
holding an initial educator certificate shall (1) be under the supervision
of the superintendent of schools or of a principal, administrator or
supervisor designated by such superintendent who shall regularly
observe, guide and evaluate the performance of assigned duties by such
holder of an initial certificate, and (2) participate in a beginning educator
program if there is such a program for such person's certification
endorsement area.
(c) (1) The State Board of Education, upon request of a local or
regional board of education, shall issue a temporary ninety-day Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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certificate to any applicant in the certification endorsement areas of
elementary education, middle grades education, secondary academic
subjects, special subjects or fields, special education, early childhood
education and administration and supervision, or in the certification
endorsement areas corresponding to teacher shortage areas, as
determined by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 10-
8b, when the following conditions are met:
(A) The employing agent of a board of education makes a written
request for the issuance of such certificate and attests to the existence of
a special plan for supervision of temporary ninety-day certificate
holders;
(B) The applicant meets the following requirements, except as
otherwise provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision:
(i) Holds a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education
accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of
Higher Education or regionally accredited with a major either in or
closely related to the certification endorsement area in which the
requesting board of education is placing the applicant or, in the case of
secondary or special subject or field endorsement area, possesses at least
the minimum total number of semester hours of credit required for the
content area, except as provided in section 10-145l;
(ii) Has met the requirements pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-
145f, as amended by this act;
(iii) Presents a written application on such forms as the
Commissioner of Education shall prescribe;
(iv) Has successfully completed an alternate route to certification
program provided by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or the
Office of Higher Education or public or independent institutions of
higher education, regional educational service centers or private teacher Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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or administrator training organizations and approved by the State
Board of Education;
(v) Possesses an undergraduate college overall grade point average
of at least "B" or, if the applicant has completed at least twenty-four
hours of graduate credit, possesses a graduate grade point average of at
least "B"; and
(vi) Presents supporting evidence of appropriate experience working
with children; and
(C) The Commissioner of Education may waive the requirements of
subparagraphs (B)(v) or (B)(vi), or both, of this subdivision upon a
showing of good cause.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section on
and after July 1, 1989, the State Board of Education, upon receipt of a
proper application, shall issue an initial educator certificate [, which
shall be valid for three years,] to any person who has taught successfully
while holding a temporary ninety-day certificate and meets the
requirements established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 10-
145d, as amended by this act.
(d) (1) On and after July 1, 2019, in order to be eligible to obtain an
initial educator certificate, each person shall be required to complete (A)
a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer than
thirty-six hours, which shall include (i) instruction on the growth and
development of exceptional children, including children with a
disability, gifted and talented children and children who may require
special education, and (ii) methods for identifying, planning for and
working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom,
and (B) a course or courses of study in special education relating to
instruction on classroom techniques in reading, differentiated
instruction, social-emotional learning, culturally responsive pedagogy Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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and practice and assistive technology. The provisions of this subdivision
shall not apply to any person who has been issued an initial educator
certificate prior to July 1, 2019.
(2) On and after July 1, 2016, in order to be eligible to obtain a
provisional educator certificate, each person shall be required to
complete a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer
than thirty-six hours, which shall include an understanding of the
growth and development of exceptional children, including children
with a disability, gifted and talented children and children who may
require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and
working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary,
each applicant for such certificates who has met all requirements for
certification except the completion of the course in special education
shall be entitled to a certificate (A) for a period not to exceed one year,
provided the applicant completed a teacher preparation program either
in the state prior to July 1, 1987, or outside the state, or completed the
necessary combination of professional experience or coursework as
required by the State Board of Education, or (B) for a period not to
exceed two years if the applicant applies for certification in an area for
which a bachelor's degree is not required.
(e) (1) On and after July 1, 1989, and until June 30, 2025, the State
Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue a
provisional educator certificate to any person who [(1)] (A) has
successfully completed a beginning educator program and one school
year of successful teaching as attested to by the superintendent, or the
superintendent's designee, in whose local or regional school district
such person was employed, [(2)] (B) has completed at least three years
of successful teaching in a public school in another state or a nonpublic
school approved by the State Board of Education or appropriate
governing body in another state within ten years prior to application for Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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such provisional educator certificate, as attested to by the
superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, in whose school
district such person was employed, or by the supervising agent of the
nonpublic school in which such person was employed, and has met
preparation and eligibility requirements for an initial educator
certificate, or [(3)] (C) has successfully taught with a provisional
teaching certificate for the year immediately preceding an application
for a provisional educator certificate as an employee of a local or
regional board of education or facility approved for special education
by the State Board of Education. The commissioner may, upon
application, reissue a provisional educator certificate to any person who
holds a provisional educator certificate, if such person can demonstrate
that he or she satisfies the preparation and eligibility requirements that
were in place at the time such provisional educator certificate was
originally issued to such person.
(2) The commissioner may not issue or reissue any provisional
educator certificates on or after July 1, 2025. Any person who holds a
provisional educator certificate and is not eligible to advance to the
professional educator certificate shall be eligible to be issued an initial
educator certificate.
(f) Any person holding a standard or permanent certificate on July 1,
1989, shall be eligible to receive upon application a professional
educator certificate to replace said standard or permanent certificate. On
and after July 1, 1989, standard and permanent certificates shall no
longer be valid.
(g) (1) On or after July 1, 1989, and prior to July 1, 2018, to qualify for
a professional educator certificate, a person who holds or has held a
provisional educator certificate under subsection (e) of this section shall
have completed thirty credit hours of course work beyond the
baccalaureate degree. It is not necessary that such course work be taken
for a master's degree and such work may include graduate or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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undergraduate courses.
(2) On and after July 1, 2018, and prior to July 1, 2025, to qualify for a
professional educator certificate, a person who holds or has held a
provisional educator certificate under subsection (d) of this section shall
hold a master's degree in an appropriate subject matter area, as
determined by the State Board of Education, related to such teacher's
certification endorsement area.
(3) On and after July 1, 2025, to qualify for a professional educator
certificate, a person who holds an initial educator certificate or a
provisional educator certificate shall (A) have completed at least fifty
school months of successful teaching for one or more boards of
education or approved nonpublic schools in this state while holding
such initial educator certificate or provisional educator certificate, (B)
have satisfactorily completed the teacher education and mentoring
program, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145o, and (C)
either (i) hold a master's degree or higher in an appropriate subject
matter area, or (ii) complete an alternate pathway to professional
licensure jointly approved by the State Board of Education and the
Educator Preparation and Certification Board. On and after July 1, 2025,
the state board, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue a
professional educator certificate to any person who satisfies the
qualifications described in this subdivision, except the state board may
waive the requirement described in subparagraph (C) of this
subdivision upon a showing of good cause.
[(h) (1) Unless otherwise provided in regulations adopted under
section 10-145d, in not less than three years or more than eight years
after the issuance of a provisional educator certificate pursuant to
subsection (e) of this section and upon the statement of the
superintendent, or the superintendent's designee, in whose school
district such certificate holder was employed, or the supervisory agent
of a nonpublic school approved by the State Board of Education, in Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 8 of 84
whose school such certificate holder was employed, that the provisional
educator certificate holder and such superintendent, or such
superintendent's designee, or supervisory agent have mutually
determined or approved an individual program pursuant to
subdivision (2) of subsection (g) of this section and upon the statement
of such superintendent, or such superintendent's designee, or
supervisory agent that such certificate holder has a record of
competency in the discharge of such certificate holder's duties during
such provisional period, the state board upon receipt of a proper
application shall issue such certificate holder a professional educator
certificate. A signed recommendation from the superintendent of
schools, or the superintendent's designee, for the local or regional board
of education or from the supervisory agent of a nonpublic school
approved by the State Board of Education shall be evidence of
competency. Such recommendation shall state that the person who
holds or has held a provisional educator certificate has successfully
completed at least three school years of satisfactory teaching for one or
more local or regional boards of education or such nonpublic schools.
Each applicant for a certificate pursuant to this subsection shall provide
to the Department of Education, in such manner and form as prescribed
by the commissioner, evidence that the applicant has successfully
completed coursework pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, as
appropriate.]
[(2)] (h) Each professional educator certificate shall be valid for ten
years and continued every ten years thereafter.
[(3) Except as otherwise provided in section 10-146c, upon receipt of
a proper application, the State Board of Education shall issue to a teacher
from another state, territory or possession of the United States or the
District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who (A) has
taught in another state, territory or possession of the United States or
the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for a Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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minimum of two years in the preceding ten years, (B) has received at
least two satisfactory performance evaluations while teaching in such
other state, territory or possession of the United States or the District of
Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and (C) has fulfilled
post-preparation assessments as approved by the commissioner, a
provisional educator certificate with the appropriate endorsement,
subject to the provisions of subsection (i) of this section relating to denial
of applications for certification. An applicant who has taught under an
appropriate certificate issued by another state, territory or possession of
the United States or the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico for two or more years shall be exempt from completing the
beginning educator program based upon such teaching experience
upon a showing of effectiveness as a teacher, as determined by the State
Board of Education, which may include, but need not be limited to, a
demonstrated record of improving student achievement. An applicant
who has successfully completed a teacher preparation program or an
alternate route to certification program in another state, territory or
possession of the United States or the District of Columbia or the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and holds an appropriate certificate
issued by another state, territory or possession of the United States or
the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall not
be required to complete a course of study in special education, pursuant
to subsection (d) of this section. An applicant with two or more years of
teaching experience in this state at a nonpublic school, approved by the
State Board of Education, in the past ten years shall be exempt from
completing the beginning educator program based upon such teaching
experience upon a showing of effectiveness as a teacher, as determined
by the State Board of Education, which may include, but need not be
limited to, a demonstrated record of improving student achievement.]
(i) (1) The State Board of Education may take one or more of the
following actions, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2)
of this subsection, against a person holding a certificate, permit or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 10 of 84
authorization based on conduct that occurred prior or subsequent to the
issuance of such certificate, permit or authorization: (A) Revoke the
holder's certificate, permit or authorization; (B) suspend the holder's
certificate, permit or authorization; or (C) place the holder's certificate
on probation, subject to conditions determined by the Commissioner of
Education.
(2) The State Board of Education may take any of the actions
described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of
this subsection with respect to a holder's certificate, permit or
authorization issued pursuant to sections 10-144o to 10-149, inclusive,
for any of the following reasons: (A) The holder of the certificate, permit
or authorization obtained such certificate, permit or authorization
through fraud or misrepresentation of a material fact; (B) the holder has
persistently neglected to perform the duties for which the certificate,
permit or authorization was granted; (C) the holder is professionally
unfit to perform the duties for which the certificate, permit or
authorization was granted; (D) the holder is convicted in a court of law
of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any other crime of such
nature that in the opinion of the board continued holding of a certificate,
permit or authorization by the person would impair the standing of
certificates, permits or authorizations issued by the board; or (E) other
due and sufficient cause. The State Board of Education may revoke any
certificate, permit or authorization issued pursuant to said sections if the
holder is found to have intentionally disclosed specific questions or
answers to students or otherwise improperly breached the security of
any administration of a mastery examination, pursuant to section 10-
14n. In any revocation proceeding pursuant to this section, the State
Board of Education shall have the burden of establishing the reason for
such revocation by a preponderance of the evidence. Revocation shall
be in accordance with procedures established by the State Board of
Education pursuant to chapter 54. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 11 of 84
(3) When the Commissioner of Education is notified, pursuant to
section 10-149a, as amended by this act, or 17a-101i, as amended by this
act, that a person holding a certificate, permit or authorization issued by
the State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to
10-149, inclusive, has been convicted of (A) a capital felony, under the
provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012, (B) arson
murder, pursuant to section 53a-54d, (C) a class A felony, (D) a class B
felony, except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-291, (E) a
crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described in section
46b-120, or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as amended by
this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b, 53a-
73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191, 53a-196, 53a-
196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or subsection (a) of section 21a-277,
any certificate, permit or authorization issued by the State Board of
Education and held by such person shall be deemed revoked and the
commissioner shall notify such person of such revocation, provided
such person may request reconsideration pursuant to regulations
adopted by the State Board of Education, in accordance with the
provisions of chapter 54. As part of such reconsideration process, the
board shall make the initial determination as to whether to uphold or
overturn the revocation. The commissioner shall make the final
determination as to whether to uphold or overturn the revocation.
(4) The State Board of Education may deny an application for the
initial issuance or renewal of a certificate, permit or authorization for
any of the following reasons: (A) The applicant seeks to obtain a
certificate, permit or authorization through fraud or misrepresentation
of a material fact; (B) the applicant has been convicted in a court of law
of a crime involving moral turpitude or of any other crime of such
nature that in the opinion of the board issuance of a certificate, permit
or authorization would impair the standing of certificates, permits or
authorizations issued by the board; or (C) other due and sufficient cause.
Any applicant denied a certificate, permit or authorization shall be Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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notified in writing of the reasons for denial. Any applicant denied a
certificate, permit or authorization may request a review of such denial
by the State Board of Education.
(5) A person whose certificate, permit or authorization has been
denied, revoked or suspended may not be employed in a public school
during the period of denial, revocation or suspension. A person whose
certificate, permit or authorization has been placed on probation may be
employed in a public school during the period of probation in
accordance with the terms of such probation.
(6) The State Board of Education may take any of the actions
described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of
this subsection, with respect to an applicant's or holder's certificate,
permit or authorization a result of the applicant or holder having been
subject to disciplinary action for any of the reasons described in
subdivision (2) of this subsection by a duly authorized professional
disciplinary agency of any state, a federal governmental agency, the
District of Columbia, a United States possession or territory or a foreign
jurisdiction. The State Board of Education may rely upon the findings
and conclusions made by a duly authorized professional disciplinary
agency of any state, a federal governmental agency, the District of
Columbia, a United States possession or territory or foreign jurisdiction
in taking such action.
(7) Any local or regional board of education or private special
education facility approved by the commissioner shall report to the
commissioner when an employee, who holds a certificate, permit or
authorization, is dismissed pursuant to subdivision (3) of subsection (d)
of section 10-151.
(8) The State Board of Education may, pursuant to chapter 54, adopt
or revise regulations relating to the procedure by which the State Board
of Education may take any of the actions described in subparagraphs Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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(A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
(j) Not later than thirty days after receipt of notification, any initial
educator certificate holder who is not granted a provisional educator
certificate, or any provisional educator certificate holder who is not
granted a professional educator certificate, or any professional educator
certificate holder who is not granted a continuation, under the
provisions of sections 10-145a to 10-145d, inclusive, as amended by this
act, and 10-146b, may appeal to the State Board of Education for
reconsideration. Said board shall review the records of the appropriate
certification period, and, if a hearing is requested in writing, hold such
hearing not later than sixty days after such request and render a written
decision not later than thirty days after the conclusion of such hearing.
Any teacher aggrieved by the decision of said board may appeal from
such decision in accordance with the provisions of section 4-183 and
such appeal shall be privileged with respect to assignment of such
appeal.
(k) For the purposes of this section "supervisory agent" means the
superintendent of schools or the principal, administrator or supervisor
designated by such superintendent to provide direct supervision to a
provisional certificate holder.
(l) Upon application to the State Board of Education for the issuance
of any certificate in accordance with this section and section 10-145d, as
amended by this act, there shall be paid to the board by or on behalf of
the applicant a nonreturnable fee of two hundred dollars in the case of
an applicant for an initial educator certificate, two hundred fifty dollars
in the case of an applicant for a provisional educator certificate and three
hundred seventy-five dollars in the case of an applicant for a
professional educator certificate, except that applicants for certificates
for teaching adult education programs mandated under subparagraph
(A) of subsection (a) of section 10-69 shall pay a fee of one hundred
dollars; persons eligible for a certificate or endorsement for which the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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fee is less than that applied for shall receive an appropriate refund;
persons not eligible for any certificate shall receive a refund of the
application fee minus fifty dollars; and persons holding standard or
permanent certificates on July 1, 1989, who apply for professional
certificates to replace the standard or permanent certificates, shall not be
required to pay such a fee. Upon application to the State Board of
Education for the issuance of a subject area endorsement there shall be
paid to the board by or on behalf of such applicant a nonreturnable fee
of one hundred dollars. With each request for a duplicate copy of any
such certificate or endorsement there shall be paid to the board a
nonreturnable fee of fifty dollars.
Sec. 2. Subsection (f) of section 10-145d of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(f) (1) (A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B) of this
subdivision, (i) an endorsement issued prior to July 1, 2013, to teach
elementary education grades one to six, inclusive, shall be valid for
grades kindergarten to six, inclusive, and (ii) for the period commencing
July 1, 2013, until June 30, 2025, for such an endorsement issued [on or
after] between July 1, 2013, and June 30, 2025, the endorsement shall be
valid for grades one to six, inclusive, except such an endorsement issued
between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2017, to any student who was admitted
to and successfully completes a teacher preparation program, as defined
in section 10-10a, in the certification endorsement area of elementary
education on or before June 30, 2017, shall be valid for grades
kindergarten to six, inclusive.
(B) The Commissioner of Education may permit, upon the request of
a superintendent, any person who holds such endorsement issued [on
or after] between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2025, to teach kindergarten
for one school year. The commissioner may, upon the request of such
superintendent, permit such person who so taught kindergarten under Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 15 of 84
such endorsement for one school year to teach kindergarten an
additional school year.
(C) An endorsement to teach elementary education grades one to six,
inclusive, or an endorsement to teach elementary education grades
kindergarten to six, inclusive, issued prior to July 1, 2025, shall be valid
for grades prekindergarten to six, inclusive.
(D) An endorsement to teach elementary education issued on and
after July 1, 2025, shall be valid for grades prekindergarten to six,
inclusive.
(2) An endorsement to teach comprehensive special education grades
one to twelve, inclusive, shall be valid for grades prekindergarten to
twelve, inclusive. On and after September 1, 2013, any (A) certified
employee applying for a comprehensive special education
endorsement, or (B) applicant for an initial, provisional or professional
educator certificate and a comprehensive special education
endorsement shall achieve a satisfactory score on the reading instruction
examination approved by the State Board of Education on April 1, 2009,
or a comparable reading instruction examination with minimum
standards that are equivalent to the examination approved by the State
Board of Education on April 1, 2009.
(3) On and after July 1, 2024, the following endorsements issued prior
to or on or after July 1, 2024, and for grades seven to twelve, inclusive,
shall be valid for grades four to twelve, inclusive: Biology, business,
chemistry, earth science, English, French, German, general science,
history and social studies, Italian, Latin and classical humanities,
Mandarin Chinese, mathematics, Portuguese, physics, Russian, Spanish
and any other world language.
Sec. 3. Section 10-145a of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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1, 2024):
(a) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to
professional certification shall be encouraged to successfully complete
an intergroup relations component of such a program which shall be
developed with the participation of both sexes, and persons of various
ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. Such intergroup relations
program shall have the following objectives: (1) The imparting of an
appreciation of the contributions to American civilization of the various
ethnic, cultural and economic groups composing American society and
an understanding of the life styles of such groups; (2) the counteracting
of biases, discrimination and prejudices; and (3) the assurance of respect
for human diversity and personal rights. The State Board of Education,
the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Commission on Human
Rights and Opportunities and the Commission on Women, Children,
Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall establish a joint committee
composed of members of the four agencies, which shall develop and
implement such programs in intergroup relations.
(b) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to
professional certification shall be encouraged to complete a (1) health
component of such a program, which includes, but need not be limited
to, human growth and development, nutrition, first aid, disease
prevention and community and consumer health, and (2) mental health
component of such a program, which includes, but need not be limited
to, youth suicide, child abuse and alcohol and drug abuse.
(c) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to
professional certification shall complete a school violence, bullying, as
defined in section 10-222d, as amended by this act, and suicide
prevention and conflict resolution component of such a program.
(d) On and after July 1, 2020, any program of teacher preparation
leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
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curriculum, instruction in computer science, and instruction in
information technology skills as applied to student learning and
classroom instruction that are grade-level and subject area appropriate.
(e) On and after July 1, 2006, any program of teacher preparation
leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the
curriculum, instruction in literacy skills and processes that reflects
current research and best practices in the field of literacy training. Such
instruction shall (1) be incorporated into requirements of student major
and concentration, and (2) on and after July 1, 2015, include not fewer
than twelve clock hours of instruction in the detection and recognition
of, and evidence-based structured literacy interventions for, students
with dyslexia, as defined in section 10-3d.
(f) On and after July 1, 2006, any program of teacher preparation
leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the
curriculum, instruction in the concepts of second language learning and
second language acquisition and processes that reflects current research
and best practices in the field of second language learning and second
language acquisition. Such instruction shall be incorporated into
requirements of student major and concentration.
(g) On and after July 1, 2011, any program of teacher preparation
leading to professional certification may permit teaching experience in
a nonpublic school, approved by the State Board of Education, and
offered through a public or private institution of higher education to
count towards the preparation and eligibility requirements for an initial
educator certificate, provided such teaching experience is completed as
part of a cooperating teacher program, in accordance with the
provisions of subsection (d) of section 10-220a.
(h) On and after July 1, 2019, any candidate entering a program of
teacher preparation leading to professional certification shall be
required to complete training in competency areas contained in the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 18 of 84
professional teaching standards established by the State Board of
Education, including, but not limited to, development and
characteristics of learners, evidence-based and standards-based
instruction, evidence-based classroom and behavior management,
assessment and professional behaviors and responsibilities and the
awareness and identification of the unique learning style of gifted and
talented children, social and emotional development and learning of
children, and culturally responsive pedagogy and practice. The training
in social and emotional development and learning of children shall
include instruction concerning a comprehensive, coordinated social and
emotional assessment and early intervention for children displaying
behaviors associated with social or emotional problems, the availability
of treatment services for such children and referring such children for
assessment, intervention or treatment services. The training in culturally
responsive pedagogy and practice shall include instruction concerning
the awareness of students' background and experience that lead to the
development of skills, knowledge and behaviors that enable educators
and students to build positive relationships and work effectively in
cross-cultural situations.
(i) On and after July 1, 2023, any program of teacher preparation
leading to professional certification shall require, as part of the
curriculum, clinical experience, field experience or student teaching
experience in a classroom during four semesters of such program of
teacher preparation. Such clinical experience, field experience or student
teaching experience may include a cooperating teacher serving as a
mentor to student teachers.
(j) On and after July 1, 2012, any program of teacher preparation
leading to professional certification shall include, as part of the
curriculum, instruction in the implementation of student individualized
education programs as it relates to the provision of special education
and related services, including, but not limited to, the provision of Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 19 of 84
services to gifted and talented children.
(k) On and after July 1, 2025, any program of teacher preparation
leading to professional certification in the endorsement area of
elementary education shall also be aligned with any professional
standards and competencies for early childhood educators developed
by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) On and after July 1, 2024, any
person who holds an initial educator certificate, a provisional educator
certificate or a professional educator certificate, and whose endorsement
has been revised pursuant to section 10-145d of the general statutes, as
amended by this act, shall not be required to submit an application for
the issuance of any such revised endorsement and shall be allowed to
provide instruction in any course in which the subject matter content of
such course corresponds with such revised endorsement. On and after
July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall assign such revised
endorsement upon the issuance or reissuance of any professional
educator certificate.
Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 10-145f of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(b) (1) Any person who does not hold a valid certificate pursuant to
section 10-145b, as amended by this act, shall achieve a satisfactory
evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education approved
subject area assessment in order to be eligible for a certificate pursuant
to said section unless such assessment has not been approved by the
State Board of Education at the time of application, in which case the
applicant shall not be denied a certificate solely because of the lack of an
evaluation on such assessment.
(2) Any person applying for an additional certification endorsement Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 20 of 84
shall achieve a satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of
Education approved subject area assessment in order to be eligible for
such additional endorsement, unless such assessment has not been
approved by the State Board of Education at the time of application, in
which case the applicant shall not be denied the additional endorsement
solely because of the lack of an evaluation on such assessment.
(3) On and after July 1, 1992, any teacher who held a valid teaching
certificate but whose certificate lapsed and who had completed all
requirements for the issuance of a new certificate pursuant to section 10-
145b, as amended by this act, except for filing an application for such
certificate, prior to the date on which the lapse occurred, may file, within
one year of the date on which the lapse occurred, an application with
the Commissioner of Education for the issuance of such certificate.
Upon the filing of such an application, the commissioner may grant such
certificate and such certificate shall be retroactive to the date on which
the lapse occurred, provided the commissioner finds that the lapse of
the certificate occurred as a result of a hardship or extenuating
circumstances beyond the control of the applicant. If such teacher has
attained tenure and is reemployed by the same board of education in
any equivalent unfilled position for which the person is qualified as a
result of the issuance of a certificate pursuant to this subdivision, the
lapse period shall not constitute a break in employment for such person
reemployed and shall be used for the purpose of calculating continuous
employment pursuant to section 10-151. If such teacher has not attained
tenure, the time unemployed due to the lapse of a certificate shall not be
counted toward tenure, except that if such teacher is reemployed by the
same board of education as a result of the issuance of a certificate
pursuant to this subdivision, such teacher may count the previous
continuous employment immediately prior to the lapse towards tenure.
Using information provided by the Teachers' Retirement Board, the
Department of Education shall annually notify each local or regional
board of education of the name of each teacher employed by such board Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 21 of 84
of education whose provisional certificate will expire during the period
of twelve months following such notice. Upon receipt of such notice the
superintendent of each local and regional board of education shall
notify each such teacher in writing, at such teacher's last-known
address, that the teacher's provisional certificate will expire.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary,
to be eligible for a certificate to teach subjects for which a bachelor's
degree is not required, any applicant who is otherwise eligible for
certification in such endorsement areas shall be entitled to a certificate
without having met the requirements of the competency examination
and subject area assessment pursuant to this subsection for a period not
to exceed two years, except that for a certificate to teach skilled trades
or trade-related or occupational subjects, the commissioner may waive
the requirement that the applicant take the competency examination.
The commissioner may, upon the showing of good cause, extend the
certificate.
(5) On and after July 1, 2011, any person applying for a certification
in the endorsement area of elementary education shall achieve a
satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education
approved mathematics assessment in order to be eligible for such
elementary education endorsement.
(6) On and after July 1, 2018, any person who holds an initial,
provisional or professional educator certificate and achieves a
satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate State Board of Education
approved subject area assessment shall be issued a cross endorsement
in the relevant certification endorsement area corresponding to a
teacher shortage area, as determined by the Commissioner of Education
pursuant to section 10-8b.
(7) On and after July 1, 2024, any person who holds an initial educator
certificate, a provisional educator certificate or a professional educator Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 22 of 84
certificate and achieves a satisfactory evaluation on the appropriate
State Board of Education approved subject area assessment shall be
issued a cross endorsement in the relevant certification endorsement
area. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the
endorsement areas of special education, teaching English to speakers of
other languages, bilingual, remedial reading and remedial language arts
or school library media specialist.
Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The State Board of Education
shall issue, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145b of the
general statutes, as amended by this act, an initial educator certificate to
any person who successfully satisfies one of the following pathways to
professional certification:
(1) Successful completion of an educator preparation program
approved by the State Board of Education.
(2) Successful completion of an alternate route to certification
program pursuant to section 10-145p, 10-145t, as amended by this act,
10-145w, as amended by this act, or 10-155d of the general statutes.
(3) Is an educator from another state and meets the requirements set
forth in subsections (c) and (f) of section 10-145f, section 10-146c or
section 10-146i of the general statutes.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section,
the State Board of Education may waive any of the requirements of this
section and issue an initial educator certificate to any person who
presents a combination of education and experience that the state board
determines is the equivalent of the education and experience required
under this section.
Sec. 7. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-145t of the general statutes
are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 23 of 84
(a) For purposes of this section, "school support staff" means any
person employed by a local or regional board of education as a behavior
analyst or an assistant behavior analyst, as such terms are defined in
section 20-185i, an athletic coach, as defined in section 10-149d, or a
[school paraprofessional] paraeducator.
(b) (1) The Department of Education shall review and approve
proposals for alternate route to certification programs for persons
employed as school support staff. In order to be approved, a proposal
shall provide that the alternate route to certification program [(1)] (A)
be provided by a public or independent institution of higher education,
a local or regional board of education, a regional educational service
center or a private, nonprofit teacher or administrator training
organization approved by the State Board of Education; [(2)] (B) accept
only those participants who [(A) hold a bachelor's degree from an
institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for
Higher Education or the Office of Higher Education or regionally
accredited, (B)] (i) have been employed as school support staff by a local
or regional board of education for at least forty school months, and [(C)]
(ii) are recommended by the immediate supervisor or district
administrator of such person on the basis of such person's performance;
[(3)] (C) require each participant to complete a one-year residency that
requires such person to serve [(A)] (i) in a position requiring
professional certification, and [(B)] (ii) in a full-time position for ten
school months at a local or regional board of education in the state under
the supervision of [(i)] (I) a certified administrator or teacher, and [(ii)]
(II) a supervisor from an institution or organization described in
[subdivision (1) of this subsection] subparagraph (A) of this subdivision;
and [(4)] (D) meet such other criteria as the department requires.
(2) The department may approve any program that (A) accepts
participants who hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher
education accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 24 of 84
the Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited, or (B) partners
with an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited, or
has received an equivalent accreditation, to provide a dual degree-plus-
certification program for participants who hold an associate degree. The
department shall give priority to those programs that provide
participants flexibility in remaining in their positions as a school
support staff while pursuing an initial educator certificate, other than
the period when such participants are completing the one-year
residency requirement described in subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1)
of this subsection.
Sec. 8. Subsection (a) of section 10-145w of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(a) As used in this section, "person from an alternate profession"
means a person who (1) holds at least a bachelor's degree from an
institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for
Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or that is regionally
accredited, and (A) is a paraeducator, (B) is a veteran, as defined in
section 27-103, (C) holds a charter school educator permit, issued by the
State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-145q, [or] (D) is
employed or was previously employed as a professor at an accredited
institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-34, or (E) has
completed at least five years of work experience requiring consistent
exercise of discretion and independent judgment in the field related to
the relevant endorsement area, or (2) holds a master's degree from a
social work program accredited by the Council on Social Work
Education or, for any person educated outside the United States or its
territories, an educational program deemed equivalent by the council.
Sec. 9. Subsection (e) of section 10-144d of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 25 of 84
(e) The council shall (1) advise the [State Board of Education, the
Governor] Commissioner of Education and the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to education concerning [teacher preparation,] teacher
recruitment, teacher retention, [teacher certification,] teacher
professional development, teacher assessment and evaluation, [and]
teacher professional discipline, [; (2) review and comment upon all
regulations and other standards concerning the approval of teacher
preparation programs and teacher certification] the equitable
distribution of teachers, diversity of the teaching workforce, special
education, testing and assessment of students, school safety and social-
emotional learning; (2) share perspectives on the impact of proposed
policies and initiatives on classroom practice with the commissioner and
the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
cognizance of matters relating to education; (3) provide suggestions and
feedback on guidance to be sent to school districts related to the
implementation of such policies and initiatives with the commissioner;
and [(3)] (4) report to the [State Board of Education, the Governor]
commissioner and the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education not later
than January 15, 1991, and annually thereafter, on its activities and
recommendations, if any, concerning the condition of the teaching
profession.
Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) There is established the
Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board. The board
shall be responsible for modernizing and aligning educator preparation
and certification to ensure that policies are optimized to attract and
retain effective and diverse professionals for employment in the state's
public schools.
(b) The board shall develop standards and proposals for regulations
or legislation relating to educator preparation and certification. Such Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 26 of 84
standards and proposals shall reflect the teaching profession and
respond to emerging understandings of effective, evidence-based
practices and address the following objectives: (1) Building streamlined,
flexible pathways in the educator profession that are grounded in a
commitment to educator effectiveness, (2) enabling educators to
broaden their scope of practice to meet more students' needs, (3)
ensuring educator preparation programs are accountable for both the
quality training experiences and outcomes for candidates, (4) creating a
system to help educators continuously improve their practice that
supports and rewards educators who demonstrate mastery, (5)
supporting improved data transparency regarding the state's
distribution of educators and educator vacancies and accountability for
remedying observed inequities, and (6) treating educators as
professionals and lifelong learners who need access to high-quality
professional learning and mentorships throughout their careers.
(c) The board shall consist of the following members:
(1) Four public school classroom teachers, who are classroom
teachers at the time of their appointment and throughout their term on
the board, as follows:
(A) Two appointed by the Connecticut Education Association, one of
whom is a teacher for students in grades kindergarten to grade six,
inclusive, and one of whom is a high school teacher;
(B) One appointed by the American Federation of Teachers-
Connecticut, one of whom is a special education teacher; and
(C) One appointed by the Connecticut Teacher of the Year Council.
(2) Three representatives from an educator preparation program
approved by the State Board of Education, as follows:
(A) One appointed by the American Association of Colleges for Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 27 of 84
Teacher Education Connecticut Chapter, who is a representative from
an educator preparation program offered by a public institution of
higher education;
(B) One appointed by the Connecticut Conference of Independent
Colleges; and
(C) One appointed by the Commissioner of Education, who is a
representative of an alternate route to certification program.
(3) Three administrators, who are employed by a local or regional
board of education, as follows:
(A) One appointed by the Connecticut Association of Public School
Superintendents, who is a superintendent of schools for an urban school
district;
(B) One appointed by the Connecticut Association of Schools, who
represents a rural school district; and
(C) One appointed by the Connecticut Federation of School
Administrators, who represents a suburban school district.
(4) One appointed by the Connecticut Association of Boards of
Education.
(5) One appointed by the Connecticut Business and Industry
Association, who is a representative from the education and workforce
affiliate of the association.
(6) A representative from the Increasing Educator Diversity Policy
Oversight Council, established pursuant to section 10-156bb of the
general statutes, designated by the council.
(7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 28 of 84
(8) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's
designee.
(9) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career
System, or the superintendent's designee.
(d) All initial appointments to the board shall be made not later than
August 1, 2024. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority
not later than ten days following such vacancy. Members shall serve
three-year terms.
(e) The chairperson and vice chairperson of the board shall be elected
from among the voting members of the board. The board shall establish
bylaws for the operation and management of the board. An employee
of the Department of Education shall be designated by the
Commissioner of Education to serve as the administrator of the board.
(f) Not later than January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the board
shall develop an annual report that includes a detailed summary of the
substance and disposition of any standards and proposals for
regulations or legislation developed by the board or the State Board of
Education pursuant to section 11 of this act. The board shall submit such
annual report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with
the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 11. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The Connecticut Educator
Preparation and Certification Board and the State Board of Education
shall each have the authority to develop standards and proposals for
regulations and legislation relating to educator preparation and
certification.
(b) (1) Any such standard or proposal developed by the Connecticut
Educator Preparation and Certification Board shall be submitted to the
State Board of Education for review. The State Board of Education shall Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 29 of 84
approve or reject any such standard or proposal not later than sixty days
after receipt of such standard or proposal. If such standard or proposal
is approved, such standard or proposal shall be implemented.
(2) Any such standard or proposal developed by the State Board of
Education shall be submitted to the Connecticut Educator Preparation
and Certification Board for review. The Connecticut Educator
Preparation and Certification Board shall approve or reject any such
standard or proposal not later than sixty days after receipt of such
standard or proposal. If such standard or proposal is approved, such
standard or proposal shall be implemented.
(3) If such approved proposal is for regulations, the State Board of
Education shall adopt regulations consistent with such approved
proposal in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general
statutes.
(4) If such approved proposal is for legislation, such approved
proposal shall be submitted to the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education,
in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) Not later than July 1, 2025,
the Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board,
established pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall develop standards
and proposals for regulations and legislation regarding (1) the
evaluation criteria that will be used to assess proposals from local or
regional boards of education, regional educational service centers and
educator preparation programs for alternative pathways for educators
to progress from an initial educator certificate to a professional educator
certificate or to be issued a cross endorsement that will enable such
educators to teach in content areas or grades beyond their initial
certification areas, (2) the manner in which degrees from educator
preparation programs approved by the State Board of Education will Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 30 of 84
align with the revised endorsement codes under section 10-145d of the
general statutes, as amended by this act, (3) the adequacy and relevance
of existing certification endorsement areas, (4) the implementation of the
standards for educator preparation programs developed by the Council
for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, (5) the necessity of the
temporary ninety-day certificate issued under section 10-145b of the
general statutes, as amended by this act, and (6) the design and
development of a state-wide data dashboard that enables longitudinal
monitoring of educator workforce data.
(b) Not later than July 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, the board shall
(1) collect and review (A) state-specific data, including, but not limited
to, qualitative data on stakeholders' experiences and quantitative data
from the Department of Education on educator vacancies, shortage
areas and the educator preparation program dashboard, and (B) data on
applicable national policy developments relating to educator
preparation, certification and employment, (2) evaluate whether any
changes are needed to the current educator preparation and certification
frameworks, and (3) develop, as necessary, evidence-based standards
and proposals for regulations and legislation to strengthen existing
systems.
Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The Connecticut Educator
Preparation and Certification Board, established pursuant to section 10
of this act, shall (1) conduct a review of the existing regulations and
statutes relating to educator preparation and certification to identify
obsolete or conflicting provisions of such regulations and statutes, (2)
review the state's approach to assessing whether candidates for
certification have demonstrated minimum content knowledge within
their endorsement areas for purposes of section 10-145f of the general
statutes, as amended by this act, and (3) develop recommendations as
to whether alternative approaches should be offered to allow candidates
to demonstrate such minimum content knowledge. Not later than Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 31 of 84
January 31, 2025, the board shall submit a report on its findings, as well
as any recommendations for legislation, to the State Board of Education
and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the
provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
(b) The Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board,
established pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall (1) undertake a
comprehensive review of the certification endorsement areas for the
purpose of (A) developing standards regarding the adequacy and
relevance of such endorsement areas, and (B) considering whether the
grade ranges for the endorsement areas should be expanded, (2) explore
alternative pathways for educators to receive cross endorsements, and
(3) consider whether to transfer authority over candidate admission
criteria for alternate route to certification programs to the program
providers. Not later than July 1, 2025, the board shall submit a report on
its findings, as well as any recommendations for legislation, to the State
Board of Education and the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in
accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) Not later than July 1, 2026, the
Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board, established
pursuant to section 10 of this act, shall develop standards regarding the
criteria to be used when reviewing educator preparation programs and
alternate route to certification programs for new or continuing program
approval. Such standards shall include a requirement that (1) any
educator preparation program or alternate route to certification
program shall obtain continuing program approval every seven years,
and (2) the methodology for determinations regarding continuing
program approval shall be based on final accreditation decisions of the
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and be classified
in the following categories: Approval, provisional, probationary or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 32 of 84
denial of approval.
Sec. 15. Section 10-145aa of the 2024 supplement to the general
statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
(Effective July 1, 2024):
[On and after July 1, 2022, the preservice performance assessment,
edTPA, as adopted by the State Board of Education on December 7,
2016, shall be used exclusively as an accountability tool for teacher
preparation programs, as defined in section 10-10a, offered at
institutions of higher education in the state. The results of such
preservice performance assessment shall not be used by the State Board
of Education to deny an application for the issuance of an initial
educator certificate under section 10-145b.]
(a) On and after July 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall not
(1) use the results of the preservice performance assessment, edTPA, as
adopted by the State Board of Education on December 7, 2016, to deny
an application for the issuance of an initial educator certificate under
section 10-145b, as amended by this act, and (2) require a teacher
preparation program, as defined in section 10-10a, offered at an
institution of higher education in the state to use edTPA as a (A)
preservice performance assessment for such teacher preparation
program, and (B) program completion requirement.
(b) On and after July 1, 2024, no institution of higher education in the
state that offers a teacher preparation program shall use the results of
edTPA to deny a candidate successful completion of such teacher
preparation program. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent an
institution of higher education from using such results as a diagnostic
tool for the purpose of providing any necessary remedial instruction to
a candidate while such candidate is enrolled in such teacher preparation
program. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 33 of 84
Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section,
"occupational subject" includes, but is not limited to, automobile
servicing, carpentry, plumbing, culinary arts, electronics, cosmetology
and public safety.
(b) The State Board of Education may issue an initial educator
certificate for occupational subjects in technical education and career
schools to an applicant who has (1) obtained a high school diploma or
its equivalent, (2) completed five years of experience in the field for
which the certificate is sought, which may include not more than two
years of in a registered apprenticeship, work-based learning program or
other specialized schooling, (3) completed a minimum of six semester
hours of credit teaching vocational and industrial education, and (4)
completed a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer
than three semester hours, which shall include study in understanding
the growth and development of exceptional children, including children
with a disability, gifted and talented children and children who may
require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and
working effectively with special needs children in the regular
classroom. An initial educator certificate for occupational subjects in
technical education and career schools shall authorize the holder to
teach an occupational subject in the Technical Education and Career
System.
(c) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for an initial educator
certificate for occupational subjects in technical education and career
schools, but is deficient in meeting the course requirements to the extent
of not more than six semester hours of credit, as described in subdivision
(3) of subsection (b) of this section, and a course of study in special
education, as described in subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this
section, may be issued an interim educator certificate, valid for one year,
which may be reissued for a second year by the Commissioner of
Education. If the holder of such interim educator certificate fails to meet Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 34 of 84
such course requirements at the expiration of such interim educator
certificate, the commissioner shall prevent the holder from serving in
the employ of a board of education in a position covered by the initial
educator certificate for occupational subjects in technical education and
career schools, except that the course work in which the applicant is
deficient may be deferred for one additional year for good cause shown.
Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section, "trade
and industrial occupations" includes, but is not limited to, food service,
automotive servicing, machine tool and operation, building
maintenance and repairs, welding, appliance repair and public safety.
(b) The State Board of Education may issue an initial educator
certificate for trade and industrial occupations in comprehensive high
schools to an applicant who has (1) provided a written request from a
local or regional board of education, (2) obtained a high school diploma
or its equivalent, (3) completed a minimum of three years of approved
successful work experience appropriate to the field for which such
certificate is sought, which may include not more than two years of
specialized appropriate schooling, (4) completed a minimum of six
semester hours of credit in professional education in areas such as (A)
teaching vocational and industrial education, or (B) foundations of
education, educational psychology, adolescent psychology, psychology
of learning, curriculum and methods of teaching, classroom instruction
and management, multicultural diversity or equity issues in education,
and (5) completed a course of study in special education comprised of
not fewer than three semester hours, which shall include study in
understanding the growth and development of exceptional children,
including children with a disability, gifted and talented children and
children who may require special education, and methods for
identifying, planning for and working effectively with special needs
children in the regular classroom. An initial educator certificate for trade
and industrial occupations in comprehensive high schools shall Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 35 of 84
authorize the holder to teach in a comprehensive high school trade and
industrial program in grades six to twelve, inclusive, except such initial
educator certificate for trade and industrial occupations in
comprehensive high schools shall not be valid to teach in the Technical
Education and Career System.
(c) An applicant who is otherwise eligible for an initial educator
certificate for trade and industrial occupations in comprehensive high
schools, but is deficient in meeting the course requirements to the extent
of not more than six semester hours of credit, as described in subdivision
(4) of subsection (b) of this section, and a course of study in special
education, as described in subdivision (5) of subsection (b) of this
section, may be issued an interim educator certificate, valid for one year,
which may be reissued for a second year by the Commissioner of
Education. If the holder of such interim educator certificate fails to meet
such course requirements at the expiration of such interim educator
certificate, the commissioner shall prevent the holder from serving in
the employ of a board of education in a position covered by the initial
educator certificate for trade and industrial occupations in
comprehensive high schools, except that the course work in which the
applicant is deficient may be deferred for one additional year for good
cause shown.
Sec. 18. Section 31-51rr of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) Each political subdivision of the state shall [grant] provide the
same family and medical leave benefits under the federal Family and
Medical Leave Act, P.L. 103-3, and 29 CFR 825.112 to (1) any employee
of such political subdivision who is [(1)] a party to a marriage in which
the other party is of the same sex as the employee, and who has been
employed for at least twelve months by such employer and for at least
one thousand two hundred fifty hours of service with such employer
during the previous twelve-month period, [the same family and medical Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 36 of 84
leave benefits under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, P.L. 103-
3, and 29 CFR 825.112,] which benefits shall be the same as are provided
to an employee who is a party to a marriage in which the other party is
of the opposite sex of such employee, [or] (2) on or after the effective
date of regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, a
[school paraprofessional in an educational setting] paraeducator who
has been employed in an educational setting for at least twelve months
by such employer and for at least nine hundred fifty hours of service
with such employer during the previous twelve-month period, [the
same family and medical leave benefits provided under subdivision (1)
of this subsection to an employee who has been employed for at least
twelve months by such employer and for at least one thousand two
hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during the previous
twelve-month period] or (3) on or after October 1, 2024, any person
employed by a local or regional board of education who does not hold
a professional certification under chapter 166 and has been employed
for at least twelve months by such employer and for at least nine
hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during the previous
twelve-month period.
(b) (1) Any employee of a political subdivision of the state who has
worked at least twelve months and one thousand two hundred fifty
hours for such employer during the previous twelve-month period, [or]
(2) on or after the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant to
subsection (f) of this section, a [school paraprofessional in an
educational setting] paraeducator who has been employed in an
educational setting for at least twelve months by such employer and for
at least nine hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during
the previous twelve-month period, or (3) on or after October 1, 2024, any
person employed by a local or regional board of education who does not
hold a professional certification under chapter 166 and has been
employed for at least twelve months by such employer and for at least
nine hundred fifty hours of service with such employer during the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 37 of 84
previous twelve-month period may request leave in order to serve as an
organ or bone marrow donor, provided such employee may be
required, prior to the inception of such leave, to provide sufficient
written certification from the physician of such employee, a physician
assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse of the proposed organ
or bone marrow donation and the probable duration of the employee's
recovery from such donation.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing leave in
addition to the total of twelve workweeks of leave during any twelve-
month period provided under the federal Family and Medical Leave
Act, P.L. 103-3.
(d) The Labor Department shall enforce compliance with the
provisions of this section.
(e) For the purposes of subdivision (2) of subsections (a) and (b) of
this section, no hours of service worked by a [paraprofessional]
paraeducator prior to the effective date of regulations adopted pursuant
to subsection (f) of this section shall be included in the requisite nine
hundred fifty hours of service.
(f) The Labor Commissioner shall adopt regulations for the provision
of family and medical leave benefits to [school paraprofessionals]
paraeducators employed in an educational setting pursuant to this
section.
Sec. 19. (Effective July 1, 2024) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025,
the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, in consultation
with the Commissioner of Education, shall reclassify one authorized
position at the Department of Education that remains unfilled for the
purpose of hiring an individual to serve as the administrator of the
Connecticut Educator Preparation and Certification Board, established
pursuant to section 10 of this act. The department shall use funds Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 38 of 84
appropriated to the department's personal services account for the
purpose of filling such position reclassified pursuant to this section.
Sec. 20. Subsection (a) of section 10-66r of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(a) Each regional educational service center shall develop, in
consultation with the Department of Education, a regional model for the
provision of special education services related to transportation,
training and therapeutic services to be used for the provision of such
special education services to all school districts served by such regional
educational service center. Each regional model shall take into account
the least restrictive environment for students receiving special
education and related services and include (1) a regional transportation
plan, developed in consultation with public transit districts, that
provides transportation to children requiring special education and
related services, (2) a regional educator training plan that provides
special education training to teachers, [school paraprofessionals]
paraeducators and administrators that includes, but need not be limited
to, instruction regarding classroom techniques to improve the provision
of special education and related services to children and the
implementation of scientific research-based interventions, (3) a regional
plan for the provision of therapeutic services, including, but not limited
to, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and (4)
a plan for the provision of transportation, training and therapeutic
services in a manner that makes such services readily available to each
school district served by the regional educational service center rather
than by request of a school district.
Sec. 21. Section 10-74q of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 39 of 84
(a) Not later than July 1, 2024, the Department of Education, in
consultation with the Departments of Developmental Services and
Aging and Disability Services and the regional educational service
centers, shall develop a training program for transition coordinators,
educators and [school paraprofessionals] paraeducators. Such training
program shall comply with the minimum standards established by the
State-wide Transition Services Coordinator pursuant to section 10-74o.
(b) Each regional educational service center shall provide the training
program developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section at no cost
to transition coordinators, educators and [school paraprofessionals]
paraeducators who provide transition services and any other educators
or school staff interested in becoming a transition coordinator or
providing transition services.
Sec. 22. Subsection (b) of section 10-74r of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(b) Each educator and [school paraprofessional] paraeducator who
provides special education for students fourteen years of age or older
shall complete the training program developed by the Department of
Education pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-74q, as amended by
this act, provided (1) each such educator and [school paraprofessional]
paraeducator hired prior to the date upon which the training program
commences shall complete such training program during the five-year
period immediately following such date, and (2) each such educator and
[school paraprofessional] paraeducator hired after such date shall
complete such training program not later than one year from the date
such educator or [school paraprofessional] paraeducator is hired to
provide such services.
Sec. 23. Subdivision (10) of subsection (a) of section 10-76d of the 2024
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 40 of 84
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(10) (A) Each local and regional board of education responsible for
providing special education and related services to a child or pupil shall
notify the parent or guardian of a child who requires or who may
require special education, a pupil if such pupil is an emancipated minor
or eighteen years of age or older who requires or who may require
special education or a surrogate parent appointed pursuant to section
10-94g, in writing, at least five school days before such board proposes
to, or refuses to, initiate or change the child's or pupil's identification,
evaluation or educational placement or the provision of a free
appropriate public education to the child or pupil.
(B) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent,
the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide such
parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent an opportunity to meet with
a member of the planning and placement team designated by such
board prior to the referral planning and placement team meeting at
which the assessments and evaluations of the child or pupil who
requires or may require special education is presented to such parent,
guardian, pupil or surrogate parent for the first time. Such meeting shall
be for the sole purpose of discussing the planning and placement team
process and any concerns such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate
parent has regarding the child or pupil who requires or may require
special education.
(C) Such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent shall (i) be given
at least five school days' prior notice of any planning and placement
team meeting conducted for such child or pupil, (ii) have the right to be
present at and participate in all portions of such meeting at which an
educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or
revised, (iii) have the right to have (I) advisors of such person's own
choosing and at such person's own expense, (II) the [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator assigned to such child or pupil, if any, Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 41 of 84
(III) such child or pupil's birth-to-three service coordinator, if any, and
(IV) a language interpreter, including a registered interpreter for
persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind, who is present in
person or available by telephone or through an online technology
platform, or through an Internet web site or other electronic application
approved by the State Board of Education, provided by the responsible
local or regional board of education if there is an apparent need or upon
the request of such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent, who
shall attend and participate or be available in all portions of such
meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is
developed, reviewed or revised, and (iv) have the right to have each
recommendation made in such child or pupil's birth -to-three
individualized transition plan, as required by section 17a-248e, if any,
addressed by the planning and placement team during such meeting at
which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed. The
notice given pursuant to clause (i) of this subparagraph shall include,
but need not be limited to, specification of the rights enumerated in this
subparagraph.
(D) Immediately upon the formal identification of any child as a child
requiring special education and at each planning and placement team
meeting for such child, the responsible local or regional board of
education shall inform the parent or guardian of such child or surrogate
parent or, in the case of a pupil who is an emancipated minor or eighteen
years of age or older, the pupil of (i) the laws relating to special
education, (ii) the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or
pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board
of Education relating to special education, including the right of a
parent, guardian or surrogate parent to (I) withhold from enrolling such
child in kindergarten, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-
184, (II) have advisors and the [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
assigned to such child or pupil attend and participate in all portions of
such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 42 of 84
is developed, reviewed or revised, in accordance with the provisions of
subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, (III) obtain the plain language
resources available on the Department of Education's Internet web site
pursuant to subsection (g) of section 10-76h explaining the hearing and
appeals process, as provided in section 10-76h, available to such child or
pupil if there is a disagreement about the individualized education
program, identification, evaluation or educational placement of or the
provision of a free appropriate public education to such child or pupil,
and (IV) receive information regarding free and low-cost legal
assistance, and (iii) any relevant information and resources relating to
individualized education programs created by the Department of
Education, including, but not limited to, information relating to
transition resources and services for high school students and the
Parent's Guide to Special Education in Connecticut developed by the
department. If such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil does not
attend a planning and placement team meeting, the responsible local or
regional board of education shall mail such information to such person.
Each responsible local or regional board of education shall provide a
child or pupil's individualized education program, any documents
relating to such program and all the information required pursuant to
this subparagraph translated into the primary language spoken by such
parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil if there is an apparent need
or upon the request of the parent guardian, surrogate parent or pupil.
(E) Each local and regional board of education shall have in effect at
the beginning of each school year an educational program for each child
or pupil who has been identified as eligible for special education, and
shall provide (i) the informational handout described in section 10-74v
to each child with an individualized education program or plan
pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and (ii) the
Parent's Guide to Special Education in Connecticut developed by the
Department of Education and the rights and resources available to such
child in the provision of special education and related services. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 43 of 84
(F) (i) At each initial planning and placement team meeting for a child
or pupil, the responsible local or regional board of education shall
inform the parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil of the laws
relating to physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to section 10-236b,
as amended by this act, and the rights of such parent, guardian,
surrogate parent or pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted
by the State Board of Education relating to physical restraint and
seclusion and the right of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or
pupil, during such meeting at which an educational program for such
child or pupil is developed, to have (I) such child or pupil's birth-to-
three service coordinator attend and participate in all portions of such
meeting, and (II) each recommendation made in the transition plan, as
required by section 17a-248e, by such child or pupil's birth-to-three
service coordinator addressed by the planning and placement team.
(ii) At the first planning and placement team meeting after a child
who requires special education and related services reaches the age of
fourteen, each responsible local or regional board of education shall
provide information to the child and the parent, guardian or surrogate
parent about the full range of decision-making supports, including
alternatives to guardianship and conservatorship, and the online
resource developed by the Department of Education pursuant to section
10-74s. The responsible local or regional board of education shall
continue to provide such information to the child and the parent,
guardian or surrogate parent at least annually thereafter.
(iii) Each responsible local or regional board of education shall
provide the notice created by the Mediation Services Coordinator
pursuant to subdivision (7) of subsection (a) of section 10-76z to each
parent, guardian or surrogate parent of any child who requires special
education by (I) distributing such notice to such parents, guardians or
surrogate parents at the beginning of each school year, and (II) reading
such notice out loud at the conclusion of the first planning and Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 44 of 84
placement team meeting at the beginning of each school year.
(G) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent,
the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide the
results of the assessments and evaluations used in the determination of
eligibility for special education for a child or pupil to such parent,
guardian, surrogate parent or pupil at least three school days before the
referral planning and placement team meeting at which such results of
the assessments and evaluations will be discussed for the first time.
(H) Each local or regional board of education shall monitor the
development of each child who, pursuant to subsection (a) of section
17a-248e, has been (i) referred for a registration on a mobile application
designated by the Commissioner of Early Childhood, in partnership
with such child's parent, guardian or surrogate parent, or (ii) provided
a form for such child's parent, guardian or surrogate parent to complete
and submit to such local or regional board of education that screens for
developmental and social-emotional delays using a validated screening
tool, such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Ages and Stages
Social-Emotional Questionnaire, or its equivalent. If such monitoring
results in suspecting a child of having a developmental delay, the board
shall schedule a planning and placement team meeting with such child's
parent, guardian or surrogate parent for the purposes of identifying
services for which such child may be eligible, including, but not limited
to, a preschool program under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
Act, 20 USC 1471 et seq. If a parent, guardian or surrogate parent of any
child referred for a registration on the mobile application or provided a
form to complete and submit, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 17a-
248e, fails to complete such registration or complete and submit such
form after a period of six months from the date of such referral or
provision of such form, the board shall send a reminder, in the form and
manner determined by the board, to such parent, guardian or surrogate
parent to complete such registration or complete and submit such form. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 45 of 84
The board shall send another reminder after a period of one year from
such referral or provision of such form if such registration remains
incomplete or such form is not submitted.
(I) Prior to any planning and placement team meeting for a child or
pupil in which an educational program for such child or pupil is
developed, reviewed or revised, if the parent, guardian, pupil or
surrogate parent has requested that the [school paraprofessional]
paraeducator assigned to such child or pupil attend such meeting, then
the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide (i)
adequate notice of such meeting to such [school paraprofessional]
paraeducator so that such [school paraprofessional] paraeducator may
adequately prepare for such meeting, and (ii) training, upon request of
such [school paraprofessional] paraeducator, on the role of such [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator at such meeting. Following such
meeting, such [school paraprofessional] paraeducator, or any other
paraprofessional who is providing special education or related services
to such child, shall review such educational program with a supervisor,
as needed, and be permitted to view such educational program in order
to be able to provide special education or related services to such child
or pupil in accordance with such educational program.
Sec. 24. Section 10-155j of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
The Department of Education shall, within available appropriations,
promote and encourage professional development activities for [school
paraprofessionals] paraeducators with instructional responsibilities.
Such activities may include, but shall not be limited to, providing local
and regional boards of education with training modules and curricula
for professional development for [paraprofessionals] paraeducators and
assisting boards of education in the effective use of [paraprofessionals]
paraeducators and the development of strategies to improve
communications between teachers and [paraprofessionals] Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 46 of 84
paraeducators in the provision of effective student instruction.
Sec. 25. Section 10-155k of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
On and after July 1, 2013, the Commissioner of Education shall
establish a School Paraprofessional Advisory Council, which on and
after July 1, 2021, shall be known as the School Paraeducator Advisory
Council, consisting of (1) one [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
from each state-wide bargaining representative organization that
represents [school paraprofessionals] paraeducators with instructional
responsibilities, (2) one representative from each of the exclusive
bargaining units for certified employees, chosen pursuant to section 10-
153b, (3) the most recent recipient of the Connecticut [Paraprofessional]
Paraeducator of the Year Award, (4) two representatives from the
regional educational service centers, appointed by the Commissioner of
Education, and (5) a school administrator, appointed by the Connecticut
Federation of School Administrators. The council shall hold quarterly
meetings and advise, at least quarterly, the Commissioner of Education,
or the commissioner's designee, of the needs for (A) professional
development and the training of [paraprofessionals] paraeducators and
the effectiveness of the content and the delivery of existing training for
such [paraprofessionals] paraeducators, (B) appropriate staffing
strategies for [paraprofessionals, and (C)] paraeducators, and (C)
consideration of other relevant issues relating to [paraprofessionals]
paraeducators. The council shall report, annually, in accordance with
the provisions of section 11-4a, on the recommendations given to the
commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, pursuant to the
provisions of this section, to the joint standing committee of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education.
Sec. 26. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-156gg of the
2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 47 of 84
(2) "Minority candidate" means an individual who is a minority and
employed by a local or regional board of education as a [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator or an associate instructor;
Sec. 27. Section 10-212a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) (1) A school nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse
licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse
employed by, or providing services under the direction of a local or
regional board of education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall
administer medical preparations only to students enrolled in such
school-based health clinic in the absence of a school nurse, the principal,
any teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational
therapist employed by a school district, or coach of intramural and
interscholastic athletics of a school may administer, subject to the
provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, medicinal preparations,
including such controlled drugs as the Commissioner of Consumer
Protection may, by regulation, designate, to any student at such school
pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed to practice
medicine, or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or
another state, or an optometrist licensed to practice optometry in this
state under chapter 380, or an advanced practice registered nurse
licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, or a physician
assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the
written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. The
administration of medicinal preparations by a nurse licensed pursuant
to the provisions of chapter 378, a principal, teacher, licensed athletic
trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a
school district, or coach shall be under the general supervision of a
school nurse. No such school nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher,
licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist
employed by a school district, coach or [school paraprofessional] Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 48 of 84
paraeducator administering medication pursuant to this section shall be
liable to such student or a parent or guardian of such student for civil
damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of
such school nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher, licensed athletic
trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a
school district, coach or [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
administering medication pursuant to this section in administering such
preparations that may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity
does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton
negligence.
(2) Each local and regional board of education that allows a school
nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse licensed pursuant
to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse employed by, or
providing services under the direction of a local or regional board of
education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall administer medical
preparations only to students enrolled in such school-based health clinic
in the absence of a school nurse, the principal, any teacher, licensed
athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by
a school district, coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics or
[school paraprofessional] paraeducator of a school to administer
medicine or that allows a student to possess, self-administer or possess
and self-administer medicine, including medicine administered
through the use of an asthmatic inhaler or an automatic prefilled
cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment, shall adopt
written policies and procedures, in accordance with this section and the
regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, that shall
be approved by the school medical advisor, if any, or other qualified
licensed physician. Once so approved, such administration of
medication shall be in accordance with such policies and procedures.
(3) A director of a school readiness program as defined in section 10-
16p or a before or after school program exempt from licensure by the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 49 of 84
Department of Public Health pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection
(b) of section 19a-77, or the director's designee, may administer
medications to a child enrolled in such a program in accordance with
regulations adopted by the State Board of Education in accordance with
the provisions of chapter 54. No individual administering medications
pursuant to this subdivision shall be liable to such child or a parent or
guardian of such child for civil damages for any personal injuries that
result from acts or omissions of such individual in administering such
medications which may constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity
shall not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton
negligence.
(b) Each school wherein any controlled drug is administered under
the provisions of this section shall keep such records thereof as are
required of hospitals under the provisions of subsections (f) and (h) of
section 21a-254 and shall store such drug in such manner as the
Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall, by regulation, require.
(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the
Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance
with the provisions of chapter 54, determined to be necessary by the
board to carry out the provisions of this section, including, but not
limited to, regulations that (1) specify conditions under which a coach
of intramural and interscholastic athletics may administer medicinal
preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations
adopted by the commissioner, to a child participating in such intramural
and interscholastic athletics, (2) specify conditions and procedures for
the administration of medication by school personnel to students,
including, but not limited to, (A) the conditions and procedures for the
storage and administration of epinephrine by school personnel to
students for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who
experience allergic reactions and who do not have a prior written
authorization for the administration of epinephrine, in accordance with Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 50 of 84
the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, and (B)
the conditions and procedures for the storage and administration of
opioid antagonists by school personnel to students who experience an
opioid-related drug overdose and who do not have a prior written
authorization for the administration of an opioid antagonist, in
accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of
this section, and (3) specify conditions for the possession, self-
administration or possession and self-administration of medication by
students, including permitting a child diagnosed with: (A) Asthma to
retain possession of an asthmatic inhaler at all times while attending
school for prompt treatment of the child's asthma and to protect the
child against serious harm or death provided a written authorization for
self-administration of medication signed by the child's parent or
guardian and an authorized prescriber is submitted to the school nurse;
and (B) an allergic condition to retain possession of an automatic
prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment at
all times, including while attending school or receiving school
transportation services, for prompt treatment of the child's allergic
condition and to protect the child against serious harm or death
provided a written authorization for self-administration of medication
signed by the child's parent or guardian and an authorized prescriber is
submitted to the school nurse. The regulations shall require
authorization pursuant to: (i) The written order of a physician licensed
to practice medicine in this or another state, a dentist licensed to practice
dental medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered
nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under
chapter 370, a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375, or an optometrist
licensed under chapter 380; and (ii) the written authorization of a parent
or guardian of such child.
(d) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or
guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a qualified medical
professional, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any, may Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 51 of 84
jointly approve and provide general supervision to an identified [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator to administer medication, including,
but not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to
a specific student with a medically diagnosed allergic condition that
may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against
serious harm or death.
(2) A school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified
school employee shall maintain epinephrine in cartridge injectors for the
purpose of emergency first aid to students who experience allergic
reactions and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or
guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for
the administration of epinephrine. A school nurse or a school principal
shall select qualified school employees to administer such epinephrine
under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one such qualified
school employee on the grounds of the school during regular school
hours in the absence of a school nurse. A school nurse or, in the absence
of such school nurse, such qualified school employee may administer
such epinephrine under this subdivision, provided such administration
of epinephrine is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Such administration of
epinephrine by a qualified school employee shall be limited to situations
when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school
employee shall administer such epinephrine under this subdivision
unless such qualified school employee annually completes the training
program described in section 10-212g. The parent or guardian of a
student may submit, in writing, to the school nurse and school medical
advisor, if any, that epinephrine shall not be administered to such
student under this subdivision.
(3) In the case of a student with a medically diagnosed life-
threatening allergic condition, (A) with the written authorization of
such student's parent or guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 52 of 84
of a qualified medical professional, such student may possess, self-
administer or possess and self-administer medication, including, but
not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to
protect such student against serious harm or death.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "cartridge injector" means an
automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable
equipment used to deliver epinephrine in a standard dose for
emergency first aid response to allergic reactions, (B) "qualified school
employee" means a principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed
physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach
or [school paraprofessional] paraeducator, and (C) "qualified medical
professional" means (i) a physician licensed under chapter 370, (ii) an
optometrist licensed to practice optometry under chapter 380, (iii) an
advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance
with section 20-94a, or (iv) a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in
accordance with section 20-12d.
(e) (1) With the written authorization of a student's parent or
guardian, and (2) pursuant to a written order of the student's physician
licensed under chapter 370 or the student's advanced practice registered
nurse licensed under chapter 378, a school nurse or a school principal
shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a
qualified school employee to administer medication with injectable
equipment used to administer glucagon to a student with diabetes that
may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against
serious harm or death. Such authorization shall be limited to situations
when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school
employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (A)
such qualified school employee annually completes any training
required by the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, in the
administration of medication with injectable equipment used to
administer glucagon, (B) the school nurse and school medical advisor, Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 53 of 84
if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has
completed such training, and (C) such qualified school employee
voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee. For purposes
of this subsection, "injectable equipment used to administer glucagon"
means an injector or injectable equipment used to deliver glucagon in
an appropriate dose for emergency first aid response to diabetes. For
purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a
principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or
occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator.
(f) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or
guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed
under chapter 370 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed
under chapter 378, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any,
shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a
qualified school employee to administer antiepileptic medication,
including by rectal syringe, to a specific student with a medically
diagnosed epileptic condition that requires prompt treatment in
accordance with the student's individual seizure action plan. Such
authorization shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is
absent or unavailable. No qualified school employee shall administer
medication under this subsection unless (i) such qualified school
employee annually completes the training program described in
subdivision (2) of this subsection, (ii) the school nurse and school
medical advisor, if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified
school employee has completed such training, (iii) such qualified school
employee receives monthly reviews by the school nurse to confirm such
qualified school employee's competency to administer antiepileptic
medication under this subsection, and (iv) such qualified school
employee voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee. For
purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a
principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 54 of 84
occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator.
(2) The Department of Education, in consultation with the School
Nurse Advisory Council, established pursuant to section 10-212f, and
the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut, shall develop an
antiepileptic medication administrating training program. Such training
program shall include instruction in (A) an overview of childhood
epilepsy and types of seizure disorders, (B) interpretation of individual
student's emergency seizure action plan and recognition of individual
student's seizure activity, (C) emergency management procedures for
seizure activity, including administration techniques for emergency
seizure medication, (D) when to activate emergency medical services
and postseizure procedures and follow-up, (E) reporting procedures
after a student has required such delegated emergency seizure
medication, and (F) any other relevant issues or topics related to
emergency interventions for students who experience seizures.
(g) (1) A school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified
school employee may maintain opioid antagonists for the purpose of
emergency first aid to students who experience an opioid-related drug
overdose and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or
guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for
the administration of such opioid antagonist. A school nurse or a school
principal shall select qualified school employees to administer such
opioid antagonist under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one
such qualified school employee on the grounds of the school during
regular school hours in the absence of a school nurse. A school nurse or,
in the absence of such school nurse, such qualified school employee may
administer such opioid antagonist under this subdivision, provided
such administration of the opioid antagonist is in accordance with
policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this
section. Such administration of an opioid antagonist by a qualified Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 55 of 84
school employee shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is
absent or unavailable. No school nurse or qualified school employee
shall administer such opioid antagonist under this subdivision unless
such school nurse or qualified school employee completes a training
program in the distribution and administration of an opioid antagonist
developed by the Department of Education, Department of Public
Health and the Department of Consumer Protection, or under an
agreement entered into pursuant to section 21a-286. The parent or
guardian of a student may submit a request, in writing, to the school
nurse and school medical advisor, if any, that an opioid antagonist shall
not be administered to such student under this subdivision.
(2) Not later than October 1, 2022, the Department of Education, in
consultation with the Departments of Consumer Protection and Public
Health, shall develop guidelines for use by local and regional boards of
education on the storage and administration of opioid antagonists in
schools in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "opioid antagonist" means
naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe
drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the
treatment of a drug overdose, (B) "qualified school employee" means a
principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or
occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator, and (C) "qualified medical
professional" means (i) a physician licensed under chapter 370, (ii) an
optometrist licensed to practice optometry under chapter 380, (iii) an
advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance
with section 20-94a, or (iv) a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in
accordance with section 20-12d.
Sec. 28. Subsection (b) of section 10-221o of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 56 of 84
(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2022, and each school year
thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall adopt a
policy, as the board deems appropriate, concerning the circumstances
when a school employee may prevent or otherwise restrict a student
from participating in the entire time devoted to physical exercise in the
regular school day, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, as a form
of discipline. Such policy shall (1) permit such prevention or restriction
(A) when a student poses a danger to the health or safety of other
students or school personnel, or (B) when such prevention or restriction
is limited to the period devoted to physical exercise that is the shortest
in duration if there are two or more periods devoted to physical exercise
in a school day, provided the period of time devoted to physical exercise
that such student may participate in during such school day is at least
twenty minutes in duration, (2) only permit such prevention or
restriction once during a school week, unless such student is a danger
to the health or safety of other students or school personnel, (3) not
include any provisions that such board determines are unreasonably
restrictive or punitive, (4) distinguish between (A) discipline imposed
prior to the start of such time devoted to physical exercise and discipline
imposed during such time devoted to physical exercise, and (B)
discipline that (i) prevents or otherwise restricts a student from
participating in such time devoted to physical exercise prior to such time
devoted to physical exercise, and (ii) methods used to redirect a
student's behavior during such time devoted to physical exercise, and
(5) not permit such prevention or restriction if a student does not
complete such student's work on time or for such student's academic
performance. For purposes of this section, "school employee" means (A)
a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school
superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist,
social worker, nurse, physician, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working
in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (B) any other
individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 57 of 84
contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of
students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school,
pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
Sec. 29. Section 10-221u of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
Not later than October 1, 2013, each local and regional board of
education shall adopt a policy, as the board deems appropriate,
concerning the issue regarding any school employee being involved in
requiring any student enrolled in grades kindergarten to twelve,
inclusive, to engage in physical activity as a form of discipline during
the regular school day. For purposes of this section, "school employee"
means (1) a teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school
superintendent, guidance counselor, school counselor, psychologist,
social worker, nurse, physician, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator
or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or working
in a public elementary, middle or high school; or (2) any other
individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular
contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf of
students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high school,
pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education.
Sec. 30. Subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 10-222d of the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(8) "School employee" means (A) a teacher, substitute teacher, school
administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, school
counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator or coach employed by a local or regional
board of education or working in a public elementary, middle or high
school; or (B) any other individual who, in the performance of his or her
duties, has regular contact with students and who provides services to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 58 of 84
or on behalf of students enrolled in a public elementary, middle or high
school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of
education;
Sec. 31. Subsections (d) to (g), inclusive, of section 10-223e of the
general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(d) (1) For those schools classified as category three schools, the
department may require such schools to (A) develop and implement
plans consistent with this section and federal law to elevate the school
from low achieving status, and (B) be the subject of actions as described
in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared
in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of
this section.
(2) For those schools classified as category three schools, the
department may require the local or regional board of education for
such schools to collaborate with the regional educational service center
that serves the area in which such schools are located to develop plans
to ensure such schools provide (A) early education opportunities, (B)
summer school, (C) extended school day or year programming, (D)
weekend classes, (E) tutorial assistance to their students, or (F)
professional development to their administrators, principals, teachers
and [paraprofessionals] paraeducators. In requiring any educational
program authorized by this subdivision, the Commissioner of
Education may limit the offering of such program to the subgroup of
students that have failed to reach performance benchmarks or those in
transitional or milestone grades or those who are otherwise at
substantial risk of educational failure as described in the state-wide
performance management and support plan, prepared in accordance
with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section.
(e) (1) (A) Any school or school district identified as in need of Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 59 of 84
improvement pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this
section and requiring corrective action pursuant to the requirements of
the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, shall be designated and
listed as a low achieving school or school district and shall be subject to
intensified supervision and direction by the State Board of Education.
(B) Any school classified as a category four school or category five
school or a school designated as a focus school shall be designated as
low achieving and shall be subject to intensified supervision and
direction by the State Board of Education.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this title or any regulation
adopted pursuant to said title, except as provided in subdivision (3) of
this subsection, in carrying out the provisions of subdivision (1) of this
subsection and this subdivision, the State Board of Education shall take
any of the following actions to improve student performance of the
school district, a particular school in the district or among student
subgroups, and remove the school or district from the list of schools or
districts designated and listed as a low achieving school or district
pursuant to said subdivision (1), and to address other needs of the
school or district: (A) Require an operations audit to identify possible
programmatic savings and an instructional audit to identify any deficits
in curriculum and instruction or in the learning environment of the
school or district; (B) require the local or regional board of education for
such school or district to use state and federal funds for critical needs,
as directed by the State Board of Education; (C) provide incentives to
attract highly qualified teachers and principals; (D) direct the transfer
and assignment of teachers and principals; (E) require additional
training and technical assistance for parents and guardians of children
attending the school or a school in the district and for teachers,
principals, and central office staff members hired by the district; (F)
require the local or regional board of education for the school or district
to implement model curriculum, including, but not limited to, Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 60 of 84
recommended textbooks, materials and supplies approved by the
Department of Education; (G) identify schools for reconstitution, as may
be phased in by the commissioner, as state or local charter schools,
schools established pursuant to section 10-74g, innovation schools
established pursuant to section 10-74h, or schools based on other models
for school improvement, or for management by an entity other than the
local or regional board of education for the district in which the school
is located; (H) direct the local or regional board of education for the
school or district to develop and implement a plan addressing deficits
in achievement and in the learning environment as recommended in the
instructional audit; (I) assign a technical assistance team to the school or
district to guide school or district initiatives and report progress to the
Commissioner of Education; (J) establish instructional and learning
environment benchmarks for the school or district to meet as it
progresses toward removal from the list of low achieving schools or
districts; (K) provide funding to any proximate district to a district
designated as a low achieving school district so that students in a low
achieving district may attend public school in a neighboring district; (L)
direct the establishment of learning academies within schools that
require continuous monitoring of student performance by teacher
groups; (M) require a local or regional board of education to (i) undergo
training designed to improve the operational efficiency and
effectiveness of the board of education as leaders of its district
improvement plans by distinguishing and making clear the proper roles
and different functions of the board of education, including the
responsibility of developing the improvement plans and education
policy for the district, and the school and district-level administrators,
including the responsibility of implementing such improvement plans
and policies, and (ii) submit an annual action plan to the Commissioner
of Education outlining how, when and in what manner their
effectiveness shall be monitored; (N) require the appointment of (i) a
superintendent, approved by the Commissioner of Education, or (ii) a
district improvement officer, selected by the commissioner, whose Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 61 of 84
authority is consistent with the provisions of section 138 of public act
11-61, and whose term shall be for one school year, except that the State
Board of Education may extend such period; or (O) any combination of
the actions described in this subdivision or similar, closely related
actions.
(3) If a directive of the State Board of Education pursuant to
subparagraph (C), (D), (E), (G) or (L) of subdivision (2) of this subsection
or a directive to implement a plan pursuant to subparagraph (H) of said
subdivision (2) affects working conditions, such directive shall be
carried out in accordance with the provisions of sections 10-153a to 10-
153n, inclusive.
(f) The State Board of Education shall monitor the progress of each
school or district designated as a low achieving school or district
pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of this section and provide
notice to the local or regional board of education for each such school or
district of the school or district's progress toward meeting the
benchmarks established by the State Board of Education pursuant to
subsection (e) of this section. If a school or district fails to make
acceptable progress toward meeting such benchmarks established by
the State Board of Education or fails to make adequate yearly progress
pursuant to the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-
110, for two consecutive years while designated as a low achieving
school district, the State Board of Education, after consultation with the
Governor and chief elected official or officials of the district, may (1)
request that the General Assembly enact legislation authorizing that
control of the district be reassigned to the State Board of Education or
other authorized entity, or (2) notwithstanding the provisions of chapter
146, any special act, charter or ordinance, grant the Commissioner of
Education the authority to reconstitute the local or regional board of
education for such school district in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (i) of this section. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 62 of 84
(g) Any school district or elementary school after two successive
years of failing to make adequate yearly progress shall be designated as
a low achieving school district or school and shall be evaluated by the
Commissioner of Education. After such evaluation, the commissioner
may require that such school district or school provide full-day
kindergarten classes, summer school, extended school day, weekend
classes, tutorial assistance to its students or professional development
to its administrators, principals, teachers and [paraprofessional teacher
aides] paraeducators if (1) on any subpart of the mastery examination
administered to students in grade three, pursuant to section 10-14n,
thirty per cent or more of the students in any subgroup, as defined by
the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, do not achieve the level of
proficiency or higher, or (2) the commissioner determines that it would
be in the best educational interests of the school or the school district to
have any of these programs. In ordering any educational program
authorized by this subsection, the commissioner may limit the offering
of the program to the subgroup of students that have failed to achieve
proficiency as determined by this subsection, those in particular grades
or those who are otherwise at substantial risk of educational failure. The
costs of instituting the ordered educational programs shall be borne by
the identified low achieving school district or the school district in
which an identified low achieving school is located. The commissioner
shall not order an educational program that costs more to implement
than the total increase in the amount of the grant that a town receives
pursuant to section 10-262i in any fiscal year above the prior fiscal year.
Sec. 32. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 10-223j of the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(4) The provisions of subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this
subsection shall not apply to a school described in said subdivisions if
(A) such school consists of a single grade level, or (B) such school is Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 63 of 84
under the jurisdiction of a local or regional board of education that has
adopted a similar school governance council model on or before July 1,
2011, that consists of parents, teachers from each grade level or subject
area, administrators and [paraprofessionals] paraeducators and such
school governance council model is being administered at such school
at the time such school is so identified as in need of improvement or so
designated as a low achieving school.
Sec. 33. Subsection (o) of section 10-236b of the 2024 supplement to
the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(o) (1) Each local or regional board of education shall provide training
regarding the physical restraint and seclusion of students to the
members of the crisis intervention team for each school in the district,
identified pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection. A local or
regional board of education may provide such training to any teacher,
as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act, administrator, as
defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator or
other school employee, as defined in section 10-222d, as amended by
this act, designated by the school principal and who has direct contact
with students. Such training shall be provided during the school year
commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year thereafter, and shall
include, but not be limited to:
(A) An overview of the relevant laws and regulations regarding the
use of physical restraint and seclusion on students and the proper uses
of physical restraint and seclusion. For the school year commencing July
1, 2017, and annually thereafter, such overview shall be provided by the
Department of Education, in a manner and form as prescribed by the
Commissioner of Education;
(B) The creation of a plan by which each local and regional board of
education shall provide training regarding the prevention of incidents Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 64 of 84
requiring physical restraint or seclusion of students. Such plan shall be
implemented not later than July 1, 2018. The Department of Education
may, within available appropriations, provide ongoing monitoring and
support to local or regional boards of education regarding the
formulation and implementation of the plan; and
(C) The creation of a plan by which each local or regional board of
education shall provide training regarding the proper means of physical
restraint or seclusion of a student, including, but not limited to, (i)
various types of physical restraint and seclusion; (ii) the differences
between life-threatening physical restraint and other varying levels of
physical restraint; (iii) the differences between permissible physical
restraint and pain compliance techniques; and (iv) monitoring methods
to prevent harm to a student who is physically restrained or in seclusion.
Such plan shall be implemented not later than July 1, 2018;
(2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year
thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall require each
school in the district to identify a crisis intervention team consisting of
any teacher, as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act,
administrator, as defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional]
paraeducator or other school employee, as defined in section 10-222d,
as amended by this act, designated by the school principal and who has
direct contact with students. Such teams shall respond to any incident
in which the use of physical restraint or seclusion may be necessary as
an emergency intervention to prevent immediate or imminent injury to
a student or to others. Each member of the crisis intervention team shall
be recertified in the use of physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to
subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection or chapter 814e
on an annual basis. Each local and regional board of education shall
maintain a list of the members of the crisis intervention team for each
school.
Sec. 34. Subsection (o) of section 10-236b of the 2024 supplement to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 65 of 84
the general statutes, as amended by section 67 of public act 23-167, is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2025):
(o) (1) Each local or regional board of education shall provide training
regarding the physical restraint and seclusion of students to the
members of the crisis intervention team for each school in the district,
identified pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection. A local or
regional board of education may provide such training to any teacher,
as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act, administrator, as
defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional] paraeducator or
other school employee, as defined in section 10-222aa, designated by the
school principal and who has direct contact with students. Such training
shall be provided during the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and
each school year thereafter, and shall include, but not be limited to:
(A) An overview of the relevant laws and regulations regarding the
use of physical restraint and seclusion on students and the proper uses
of physical restraint and seclusion. For the school year commencing July
1, 2017, and annually thereafter, such overview shall be provided by the
Department of Education, in a manner and form as prescribed by the
Commissioner of Education;
(B) The creation of a plan by which each local and regional board of
education shall provide training regarding the prevention of incidents
requiring physical restraint or seclusion of students. Such plan shall be
implemented not later than July 1, 2018. The Department of Education
may, within available appropriations, provide ongoing monitoring and
support to local or regional boards of education regarding the
formulation and implementation of the plan; and
(C) The creation of a plan by which each local or regional board of
education shall provide training regarding the proper means of physical
restraint or seclusion of a student, including, but not limited to, (i) Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 66 of 84
various types of physical restraint and seclusion; (ii) the differences
between life-threatening physical restraint and other varying levels of
physical restraint; (iii) the differences between permissible physical
restraint and pain compliance techniques; and (iv) monitoring methods
to prevent harm to a student who is physically restrained or in seclusion.
Such plan shall be implemented not later than July 1, 2018;
(2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year
thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall require each
school in the district to identify a crisis intervention team consisting of
any teacher, as defined in section 10-144d, as amended by this act,
administrator, as defined in section 10-144e, [school paraprofessional]
paraeducator or other school employee, as defined in section 10-222aa,
designated by the school principal and who has direct contact with
students. Such teams shall respond to any incident in which the use of
physical restraint or seclusion may be necessary as an emergency
intervention to prevent immediate or imminent injury to a student or to
others. Each member of the crisis intervention team shall be recertified
in the use of physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to subparagraph
(C) of subdivision (1) of this subsection or chapter 814e on an annual
basis. Each local and regional board of education shall maintain a list of
the members of the crisis intervention team for each school.
Sec. 35. Subsection (a) of section 10-239e of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(a) The demonstration board shall authorize the parents or legal
guardian of scholarship recipients to use the demonstration
scholarships at any public or private school in which the scholarship
recipient is enrolled provided such public or private school: (1) Meets
all educational, fiscal, health and safety standards required by law, (2)
does not discriminate against the admission of students and the hiring
of teachers on the basis of race, color or economic status and has filed a Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 67 of 84
certificate with the State Board of Education that the school is in
compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, (3) in no case
levies or requires any tuition, fee or charge above the value of the
education scholarship, (4) is free from sectarian control or influence
except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, (5) provides public
access to all financial and administrative records and provides to the
parent or guardian of each eligible child in the demonstration area
comprehensive information, in written form, on the courses of study
offered, curriculum, materials and textbooks, the qualifications of
teachers, administrators and [paraprofessionals] paraeducators, the
minimum school day, the salary schedules, financial reports of money
spent per pupil and such other information as may be required by the
demonstration board, (6) provides periodic reports to the parents on the
average progress of the pupils enrolled, and (7) meets any additional
requirements established for all participating schools by the
demonstration board.
Sec. 36. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 17a-812 of the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(1) The Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall provide,
upon written request from any interested school district, the services of
teachers who instruct students who are visually impaired, based on the
levels established in the individualized education or service plan. The
Commissioner of Aging and Disability Services shall also make
available resources, including, but not limited to, the braille and large
print library, to all teachers of public and nonpublic school children. The
commissioner may also provide vision -related professional
development and training to all school districts and cover the actual cost
for [paraprofessionals] paraeducators from school districts to
participate in agency-sponsored braille training programs. The
commissioner shall utilize education consultant positions, funded by Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 68 of 84
moneys appropriated from the General Fund, to supplement new
staffing that will be made available through the educational aid for
children who are blind or visually impaired account, which shall be
governed by formal written policies established by the commissioner.
Sec. 37. Subsection (a) of section 46a-11b of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(a) Any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of chapter
370, any resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state,
whether or not so licensed, any registered nurse, any person paid for
caring for persons in any facility and any licensed practical nurse,
medical examiner, dental hygienist, dentist, occupational therapist,
optometrist, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, social worker, school
teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school counselor,
[school paraprofessional] paraeducator, licensed behavior analyst,
mental health professional, physician assistant, licensed or certified
substance abuse counselor, licensed marital and family therapist, speech
and language pathologist, clergyman, police officer, pharmacist,
physical therapist, licensed professional counselor or sexual assault
counselor or domestic violence counselor, as defined in section 52-146k,
who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person with
intellectual disability or any person who receives services from the
Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Services has been abused or neglected shall, as soon as practicable but
not later than forty-eight hours after such person has reasonable cause
to suspect or believe that a person with intellectual disability or any
person who receives services from the Department of Social Services'
Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has been abused or
neglected, report such information or cause a report to be made in any
reasonable manner to the commissioner, or the commissioner's
designee. An unsuccessful attempt to make an initial report to the Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 69 of 84
commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, on a weekend, holiday
or after normal business hours shall not be construed as a violation of
this section if reasonable attempts are made by a person required to
report under this subsection to reach the commissioner, or the
commissioner's designee, as soon as practicable after the initial attempt.
The initial report shall be followed up by a written report not later than
five calendar days after the initial report was made. Any person
required to report under this subsection who fails to make such report
shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. For purposes of this
subsection, "reasonable manner" and "reasonable attempts" mean efforts
that include, but are not limited to, efforts to reach the commissioner, or
the commissioner's designee, by phone, in person or by electronic mail.
Sec. 38. Subdivision (13) of section 53a-65 of the 2024 supplement to
the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(13) "School employee" means: (A) A teacher, substitute teacher,
school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor,
school counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, [school
paraprofessional] paraeducator or coach employed by a local or regional
board of education or a private elementary, middle or high school or
working in a public or private elementary, middle or high school; or (B)
any other person who, in the performance of his or her duties, has
regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf
of students enrolled in (i) a public elementary, middle or high school,
pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education, or
(ii) a private elementary, middle or high school, pursuant to a contract
with the supervisory agent of such private school.
Sec. 39. Subsection (a) of section 31-3i of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 70 of 84
(a) Pursuant to Section 101 of the federal Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act of 2014, P.L. 113-128, the members of the Governor's
Workforce Council shall be:
(1) The Governor;
(2) A member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the
speaker of the House of Representatives, and a member of the Senate,
appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(3) Twenty-four members, appointed by the Governor, who (A) are
owners of a business, chief executives or operating officers of a business,
or other business executives or employers with optimum policy-making
or hiring authority; (B) represent businesses or organizations
representing businesses that provide employment opportunities that, at
a minimum, include high-quality, work-relevant training and
development in in-demand industry sectors or occupation in the state;
or (C) have been nominated by state business organizations or business
trade associations. At a minimum, at least one such member shall
represent small businesses, as defined by the United States Small
Business Administration; [.]
(4) The Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of Aging and Disability
Services, Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Economic and
Community Development and the Chief Workforce Officer, or their
respective designees;
(5) Four representatives of labor organizations, who have been
nominated by state labor federations and appointed by the Governor;
(6) An individual, appointed by the Governor, who is a member of a
labor organization or a training director from a joint labor-management
apprenticeship program, or, if no such joint program exists in the state,
such a representative of an apprenticeship program in the state; Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 71 of 84
(7) An individual, appointed by the Governor, who is an expert in
residential construction;
(8) Five members, appointed by the Governor, who represent
community-based organizations that have demonstrated experience
and expertise in addressing employment, training, or education,
including one representative of a community action agency, as defined
in section 17b-885, and one representative of a philanthropic
organization;
(9) A representative from the Connecticut State Colleges and
Universities, a representative from The University of Connecticut and a
representative from a nonprofit institution of higher education in the
state, each appointed by the Governor;
(10) A representative from a regional vocational-technical school and
a representative from a regional agricultural science and technology
school, each appointed by the Governor;
(11) Two superintendents of a local or regional board of education,
appointed by the Governor;
(12) A certified teacher employed by a local or regional board of
education, appointed by the Governor;
[(12)] (13) Two chief elected officials of municipalities, appointed by
the Governor; and
[(13)] (14) Two members of the public, who are enrolled in or who
have recently completed a nondegree workforce training program,
appointed by the Governor.
Sec. 40. Section 17a-101a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) (1) Any mandated reporter, as described in section 17a-101, who Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 72 of 84
in the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has
reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of
eighteen years (A) has been abused or neglected, as described in section
46b-120, (B) has had nonaccidental physical injury, or injury which is at
variance with the history given of such injury, inflicted upon such child,
or (C) is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, or (2) any school
employee, as defined in section 53a-65, as amended by this act, who in
the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has
reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person who is being
educated by the Technical Education and Career System, [or] a local or
regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education
program, or a nonpublic school, is a victim under the provisions of
section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, and the
perpetrator is a school employee shall report or cause a report to be
made in accordance with the provisions of sections 17a-101b to 17a-
101d, inclusive.
[(b) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of this
section who fails to make such report or fails to make such report within
the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive,
and section 17a-103 shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor, except that
such person shall be guilty of a class E felony if (A) such violation is a
subsequent violation, (B) such violation was wilful or intentional or due
to gross negligence, or (C) such person had actual knowledge that (i) a
child was abused or neglected, as described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a
person was a victim described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this
section.
(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with
or prevents the making of a report pursuant to this section, or attempts
or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of a class D felony. The provisions
of this subdivision shall not apply to any child under the age of eighteen
years or any person who is being educated by the Technical Education Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 73 of 84
and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than
as part of an adult education program.
(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection
shall be required to participate in an educational and training program.
The program may be provided by one or more private organizations
approved by the commissioner, provided the entire cost of the program
shall be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which
shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner.
(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the
commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's
Attorney when there is reason to believe that any such person has failed
to make a report in accordance with this section.]
[(d)] (b) For purposes of this section and section 17a-101b, a
mandated reporter's suspicion or belief may be based on factors
including, but not limited to, observations, allegations, facts or
statements by a child, victim, as described in subdivision (2) of
subsection (a) of this section, or third party. Such suspicion or belief does
not require certainty or probable cause. Nothing in this section shall
preclude a mandated reporter from conducting a preliminary inquiry to
determine if reasonable cause exists for such mandated reporter to make
a report pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
Sec. 41. Section 17a-101e of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) No employer shall (1) discharge, or in any manner discriminate or
retaliate against, any employee who in good faith makes a report
pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this
act, and 17a-103, testifies or is about to testify in any proceeding
involving child abuse or neglect, or (2) hinder or prevent, or attempt to
hinder or prevent, any employee from making a report pursuant to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 74 of 84
sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and
17a-103, or testifying in any proceeding involving child abuse or neglect.
The Attorney General may bring an action in Superior Court against an
employer who violates this subsection. The court may assess a civil
penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars and may
order such other equitable relief as the court deems appropriate.
(b) Any person, institution or agency [which, in good faith,] that (1)
makes or does not make, in good faith, a report pursuant to sections 17a-
101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103, or (2)
provides, in good faith, professional medical intervention or assistance
in any proceeding involving child abuse and neglect, including, but not
limited to, (A) causing a photograph, x-ray or a physical custody
examination to be made, (B) causing a child to be taken into emergency
protective custody, (C) disclosing a medical record or other information
pertinent to the proceeding, or (D) performing a medically relevant test,
shall be immune from any liability, civil or criminal, which might
otherwise arise from or be related to the actions taken pursuant to this
subsection and shall have the same immunity with respect to any
judicial proceeding which results from such report or actions, provided
such person did not perpetrate or cause such abuse or neglect. The
immunity from civil or criminal liability extends only to actions done
pursuant to this subsection and does not extend to the malpractice of a
medical professional that results in personal injury or death.
(c) Any person who is alleged to have knowingly made a false report
of child abuse or neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d,
inclusive, as amended by this act, and 17a-103 shall be referred to the
office of the Chief State's Attorney for purposes of a criminal
investigation.
(d) Any person who knowingly makes a false report of child abuse or
neglect pursuant to sections 17a-101a to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended
by this act, and 17a-103 shall be fined not more than two thousand Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 75 of 84
dollars or imprisoned not more than one year or both.
Sec. 42. Subsection (d) of section 17a-101i of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(d) If a school employee, as defined in section 53a-65, as amended by
this act, or any person holding a certificate, permit or authorization
issued by the State Board of Education under the provisions of sections
10-144o to 10-149, inclusive, is convicted of a crime involving an act of
child abuse or neglect as described in section 46b-120 or a violation of
subdivision (2) of subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a] (d) of section 17a-
101o, as amended by this act, or section 53-21, 53a-71 or 53a-73a against
any person, or a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-72a or 53a-72b
against a victim, as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of
section 17a-101a, as amended by this act, the state's attorney for the
judicial district in which the conviction occurred shall in writing notify
the superintendent of the school district or the supervisory agent of the
nonpublic school in which the person is employed and the
Commissioner of Education of such conviction.
Sec. 43. Section 17a-101o of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) If the Commissioner of Children and Families suspects or knows
that a mandated reporter, as defined in section 17a-101, [employed by a
local or regional board of education,] has failed to make a report that a
child has been abused or neglected or placed in immediate risk of
serious harm within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to
[17a-101d] 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, [and section 17a-
103,] the commissioner shall make a record of such [delay] failure to
report and develop and maintain a database of such records. The
commissioner shall [investigate such delayed reporting. Such
investigation] conduct an assessment with respect to such failure to Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 76 of 84
report. Such assessment shall be conducted in accordance with the
policy developed in subsection (b) of this section, and include the
actions taken by the employing local or regional board of education or
superintendent of schools for the district in response to such employee's
failure to report.
(b) The Department of Children and Families shall develop a policy
for the [investigation of delayed reports by mandated reporters]
assessment of the failure of mandated reporters to make reports within
the time period prescribed in sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as
amended by this act. Such policy shall include, but not be limited to,
when referrals to the appropriate law enforcement agency for [delayed
reporting] the failure to report are required and when the department
shall require mandated reporters who have been found to have [delayed
making a report] failed to make reports to participate in the educational
and training program pursuant to subsection [(b) of section 17a-101a]
(d) of this section.
(c) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the
commissioner's designee, shall promptly notify the Chief State's
Attorney when there is reason to believe that a mandated reporter has
failed to make a report in accordance with sections 17a-101a to 17a-101c,
inclusive, as amended by this act.
(d) (1) Any person required to report under the provisions of section
17a-101a, as amended by this act, who fails to make such report or fails
to make such report within the time period prescribed in sections 17a-
101a to 17a-101c, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be guilty of a
class A misdemeanor, except that such person shall be guilty of a class
E felony if (A) such violation is a subsequent violation, (B) such violation
was wilful or intentional or due to gross negligence, or (C) such person
had actual knowledge that (i) a child was abused or neglected, as
described in section 46b-120, or (ii) a person was a victim described in
subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as amended by this Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 77 of 84
act.
(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with
or prevents the making of a report pursuant to section 17a-101a, as
amended by this act, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of
a class D felony. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to
any child under the age of eighteen years or any person who is being
educated by the Technical Education and Career System, a local or
regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education
program, or a nonpublic school.
(3) Any person found guilty under the provisions of this subsection
shall be required to participate in an educational and training program.
The program may be provided by one or more private organizations
approved by the commissioner and the entire cost of the program shall
be paid from fees charged to the participants, the amount of which shall
be subject to the approval of the commissioner.
[(c)] (e) For purposes of this section, "child" includes any victim
described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, as
amended by this act.
Sec. 44. Section 10-145i of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-146b,
inclusive, and 10-149, the State Board of Education shall not issue or
reissue any certificate, authorization or permit pursuant to said sections
if (1) the applicant for such certificate, authorization or permit has been
convicted of any of the following: (A) A capital felony, as defined under
the provisions of section 53a-54b in effect prior to April 25, 2012; (B)
arson murder, as defined in section 53a-54d; (C) any class A felony; (D)
any class B felony except a violation of section 53a-122, 53a-252 or 53a-
291; (E) a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 78 of 84
in section 46b-120; or (F) a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o, as
amended by this act, 53-21, 53-37a, 53a-60b, 53a-60c, 53a-71, 53a-72a,
53a-72b, 53a-73a, 53a-88, 53a-90a, 53a-99, 53a-103a, 53a-181c, 53a-191,
53a-196, 53a-196c, 53a-216, 53a-217b or 21a-278 or a violation of
subsection (a) of section 21a-277, and (2) the applicant completed
serving the sentence for such conviction within the five years
immediately preceding the date of the application.
Sec. 45. Section 10-149a of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
If a person holding a certificate, authorization or permit issued by the
State Board of Education under the provisions of sections 10-144o to 10-
149, inclusive, is convicted of a felony or fined pursuant to section [17a-
101a] 17a-101o, as amended by this act, the state's attorney or assistant
state's attorney for the judicial district in which the conviction or fine
occurred shall notify, in writing, the Commissioner of Education of such
conviction or fine.
Sec. 46. Subsection (a) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(a) No local or regional board of education, governing council of a
state or local charter school, interdistrict magnet school operator or
supervisory agent of a nonpublic school shall offer employment to an
applicant for a position, including any position which is contracted for,
if such applicant would have direct student contact, prior to such board,
council, operator or supervisory agent:
(1) Requiring of such applicant:
(A) To list the name, address and telephone number of each current
or former employer of the applicant, if such current or former employer
was a local or regional board of education, council, operator or Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 79 of 84
supervisory agent or if such employment otherwise caused the
applicant to have contact with children;
(B) A written authorization that (i) consents to and authorizes
disclosure by the employers listed under subparagraph (A) of this
subdivision of the information requested under subdivision (2) of this
subsection and the release of related records by such employers, (ii)
consents to and authorizes disclosure by the Department of Education
of the information requested under subdivision (3) of this subsection
and the release of related records by the department, and (iii) releases
those employers and the department from liability that may arise from
such disclosure or release of records pursuant to subdivision (2) or (3)
of this subsection; and
(C) A written statement of whether the applicant (i) has been the
subject of an abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct investigation by any
employer, state agency or municipal police department, unless the
investigation resulted in a finding that all allegations were
unsubstantiated, (ii) has ever been disciplined or asked to resign from
employment or resigned from or otherwise separated from any
employment while an allegation of abuse or neglect was pending or
under investigation by the Department of Children and Families, or an
allegation of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation or
due to an allegation substantiated pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse
or neglect, or of sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect
or sexual misconduct, or (iii) has ever had a professional or occupational
license or certificate suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such
a license or certificate while an allegation of abuse or neglect was
pending or under investigation by the department or an investigation
of sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or due to an
allegation substantiated by the department of abuse or neglect or of
sexual misconduct or a conviction for abuse or neglect or sexual
misconduct; Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 80 of 84
(2) Conducting a review of the employment history of the applicant
by contacting those employers listed by the applicant under subdivision
(1) of this subsection. Such review shall be conducted using a form
developed by the Department of Education in accordance with section
3 of public act 16-67 that shall request (A) the dates of employment of
the applicant, and (B) a statement as to whether the employer has
knowledge that the applicant (i) was the subject of an allegation of abuse
or neglect or sexual misconduct for which there is an investigation
pending with any employer, state agency or municipal po lice
department or which has been substantiated, unless such substantiation
has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section
17a-101k; (ii) was disciplined or asked to resign from employment or
resigned from or otherwise separated from any employment while an
allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or
under investigation, or due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or
sexual misconduct, unless such substantiation has been reversed as a
result of an appeal conducted pursuant to section 17a-101k; or (iii) has
ever had a professional or occupational license, certificate, authorization
or permit suspended or revoked or has ever surrendered such a license,
certificate, authorization or permit while an allegation of abuse or
neglect or sexual misconduct was pending or under investigation, or
due to a substantiation of abuse or neglect or sexual misconduct, unless
such substantiation has been reversed as a result of an appeal conducted
pursuant to section 17a-101k. Such review may be conducted
telephonically or through written communication. Notwithstanding the
provisions of subsection (g) of section 31-51i, not later than five business
days after any such current or former employer of the applicant receives
a request for such information, such employer shall respond with such
information. A local or regional board of education, council, operator or
supervisory agent may request more information concerning any
response made by a current or former employer, and, notwithstanding
the provisions of said subsection (g), such employer shall respond not
later than five business days after receiving such request; and Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 81 of 84
(3) Requesting information from the Department of Education
concerning (A) the eligibility status for employment of any applicant for
a position requiring a certificate, authorization or permit issued
pursuant to chapter 166, (B) whether the department has knowledge
that a finding has been substantiated by the Department of Children and
Families pursuant to section 17a-101g of abuse or neglect or of sexual
misconduct against the applicant and any information concerning such
a finding, and (C) whether the department has received notification that
the applicant has been convicted of a crime or of criminal charges
pending against the applicant and any information concerning such
charges.
Sec. 47. Subsection (m) of section 10-222c of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(m) No local or regional board of education, council, operator or
supervisory agent shall offer employment to any applicant who had any
previous employment contract terminated by a board, council, operator
or supervisory agent or who resigned from such employment, if such
person has been convicted of a violation of section [17a-101a] 17a-101o,
as amended by this act, when an allegation of abuse or neglect or sexual
assault has been substantiated.
Sec. 48. Section 10-221s of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) Each local and regional board of education shall post the
telephone number for the Careline operated by the Department of
Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-103a, and the Internet
web site address that provides information about the Careline in a
conspicuous location frequented by students in each school under the
jurisdiction of the board. Such posting shall be in various languages that
are the most appropriate for the students enrolled in the school. Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 82 of 84
(b) A local or regional board of education shall permit and give
priority to any investigation conducted by the Commissioner of
Children and Families or the appropriate local law enforcement agency
that a child has been abused or neglected pursuant to sections 17a-101a
to 17a-101d, inclusive, as amended by this act, and section 17a-103. Such
board of education shall conduct its own investigation and take any
disciplinary action, in accordance with the provisions of section 17a-
101i, as amended by this act, upon notice from the commissioner or the
appropriate local law enforcement agency that such board's
investigation will not interfere with the investigation of the
commissioner or such local law enforcement agency. A preliminary
inquiry described in subsection (b) of section 17a-101a, as amended by
this act, shall not be considered an investigation conducted by a board
of education under this section.
Sec. 49. (Effective from passage) Not later than October 1, 2024, the
Commissioner of Children and Families shall update the educational
training program and refresher training program for the accurate and
prompt identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect,
developed pursuant to subsection (c) of section 17a-101 of the general
statutes, to include training for school employees, as defined in section
53a-65 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, on (1) the proper
manner in which to conduct a preliminary inquiry described in
subsection (b) of section 17a-101a of the general statutes, as amended by
this act, and (2) the provisions of section 10-221s of the general statutes,
as amended by this act.
Sec. 50. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-156ii of the 2024
supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) There is established an aspiring educators diversity scholarship
program administered by the Department of Education. The program
shall provide an annual scholarship to diverse students who (1) Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 83 of 84
graduated from a public high school in [a priority school district, as
described in section 10-266p] an alliance district, as defined in section
10-262u, and (2) are enrolled in a teacher preparation program at any
four-year institution of higher education. A diverse student may receive
an annual scholarship in an amount up to ten thousand dollars for each
year such diverse student is enrolled and in good standing in a teacher
preparation program. As used in this section, "diverse" has the same
meaning as provided in section 10-156bb.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2023, the department shall, in
consultation with the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education,
develop a policy concerning the administration of the scholarship. Such
policy shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions regarding (1)
any additional eligibility criteria, (2) payment and distribution of the
scholarships to diverse students through the teacher preparation
programs in which they are enrolled, and (3) the notification of students
in high school in [priority school] alliance districts of the scholarship
program, including the opportunity to apply for a scholarship under the
program while enrolled in high school and prior to graduation if such
student will be enrolled in a teacher preparation program during the
following fall semester at a four-year institution of higher education.
Sec. 51. (Effective July 1, 2026) Notwithstanding the provisions of
chapter 54 of the general statutes, sections 10-145d-9(b) to 10-145d-9(e),
inclusive, 10-145d-9(g)(1), 10-145d-9(i), 10-145d-10(a) to 10-145d-
10(b)(9), inclusive, 10-145d-10(c) to 10-145d-10(g), inclusive, 10-145d-11,
10-145d-400a(a) to 10-145d-400a(d), inclusive, 10-145d-401(a), 10-145d-
401(c), 10-145d-402, 10-145d-403(b), 10-145d-403(g), 10-145d-404 to 10-
145d-406, inclusive, 10-145d-407(a), 10-145d-407(b), 10-145d-407(d), 10-
145d-407(f), 10-145d-407(h), 10-145d-407(i), 10-145d-409 to 10-145d-415,
inclusive, 10-145d-417, 10-145d-419, 10-145d-420(f), 10-145d-421(b), 10-
145d-422, 10-145d-423(a), 10-145d-426, 10-145d-427, 10-145d-434, 10- Substitute House Bill No. 5436
Public Act No. 24-41 84 of 84
145d-435(b), 10-145d-436 to 10-145d-438, inclusive, 10-145d-441 to 10-
145d-453, inclusive, 10-145d-472 to 10-145d-474, inclusive, 10-145d-476
to 10-145d-479, inclusive, 10-145d-481, 10-145d-482(c), 10-145d-482(d),
10-145d-483, 10-145d-484, 10-145d-535 to 10-145d-537, inclusive, 10-
145d-539 to 10-145d-542, inclusive, 10-145d-608 and 10-145d-609 of the
regulations of Connecticut state agencies are repealed.