Louisiana House Bill HB658

Louisiana 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/17/10
• Refer: 4/14/10

Caption

Requires membership in the Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) for charter school teachers (OR +$7,050,000 FC SG RV)

Impact

The implications of HB 658 on state laws include an amendment to existing statutes regarding earnable compensation and employer definitions. By redefining 'teacher' to include charter school employees, the bill brings these educators under the same retirement and benefits regime as traditional public school teachers. This change aims to provide equitable treatment in retirement systems, responding to concerns about the disparities faced by charter school educators compared to their traditional public school counterparts.

Summary

House Bill 658 mandates that employees of charter schools in Louisiana must be members of the Teachers' Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL). This legislation recognizes charter school teachers as public school employees in relation to retirement benefits, which signifies a significant shift in how these educators are treated within the broader educational employment framework. Specifically, the bill stipulates that any compensation that exceeds what would be earned in a traditional public school setting will not count toward retirement benefits, thus creating a direct link between compensation and retirement calculations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 658 appears generally positive, particularly among proponents who see it as a step towards equity within the educational workforce. Many educators and advocates have endorsed the bill as it promises improved retirement security for charter school teachers. However, there remains a level of skepticism from opponents who question whether charter schools can sustain the financial obligations that accompany integration into the TRSL system.

Contention

Important points of contention have emerged over the mandate that charter school teachers must now conform to TRSL membership, especially for those who entered into contracts before the bill's implementation date. Critics express concern that this requirement could hinder charter schools' operational flexibility and financial viability. Furthermore, the bill's restrictions on what constitutes earnable compensation may limit charter schools' ability to attract talent by offering competitive salaries that exceed conventional public school scales.