Mississippi House Bill HB786

Mississippi 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Failed: 2/4/25

Caption

Special education teachers; provide annual salary supplement to those exposed to bodily fluids of students.

Impact

The implementation of HB 786 is set to positively impact the financial compensation of certain educators in Mississippi beginning July 1, 2025. The proposed supplement is intended to attract and retain qualified special education professionals who may otherwise be deterred by the demands of the job. This salary enhancement could potentially lead to improved educational outcomes for students with special needs, given that experienced teachers are more likely to offer effective instruction and support.

Summary

House Bill 786, introduced by Representative Crawford, amends Section 37-19-7 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. This legislation aims to provide a $2,000 annual salary supplement for licensed teachers who deliver special education instruction to children in self-contained classrooms and are exposed to bodily fluids in their line of work. The intent behind this bill is to recognize the unique challenges faced by these educators and to provide them with additional financial support to enhance their professional commitment.

Contention

Despite its positive intent, the bill could face discussion regarding funding adequacy and the prioritization of financial resources within state education budgets. Some may argue that additional funds should be directed towards broader educational improvements rather than targeted salary supplements. Moreover, the bill may evoke debates about the distribution of resources among various teacher roles, especially if it is perceived to favor certain specialties over others within the educational workforce.