88R14459 BDP-D
By: West S.B. No. 2322
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to measures to improve school district classroom teacher
retention, including child-care subsidies, eligibility of those
teachers' children for prekindergarten programs, and student loan
repayment assistance.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.418 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.418. CHILD-CARE SUBSIDY FOR CLASSROOM TEACHERS.
(a) From money appropriated or otherwise available for the
purpose, the agency shall provide a subsidy to each classroom
teacher in the amount of the teacher's child-care expenses.
(b) The agency may adopt rules as necessary to implement
this section.
SECTION 2. Section 29.153(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
class under this section if the child is at least three years of age
and:
(1) is unable to speak and comprehend the English
language;
(2) is educationally disadvantaged;
(3) is homeless, regardless of the residence of the
child, of either parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or
other person having lawful control of the child;
(4) is the child of an active duty member of the armed
forces of the United States, including the state military forces or
a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active
duty by proper authority;
(5) is the child of a member of the armed forces of the
United States, including the state military forces or a reserve
component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while
serving on active duty;
(6) is or ever has been in:
(A) the conservatorship of the Department of
Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing held
as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
(B) foster care in another state or territory, if
the child resides in this state; [or]
(7) is the child of a person eligible for the Star of
Texas Award as:
(A) a peace officer under Section 3106.002,
Government Code;
(B) a firefighter under Section 3106.003,
Government Code; or
(C) an emergency medical first responder under
Section 3106.004, Government Code; or
(8) is the child of a classroom teacher.
SECTION 3. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter M-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER M-1. REPAYMENT OF CERTAIN TEACHER LOANS
Sec. 61.715. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "classroom
teacher" has the meaning assigned by Section 5.001.
Sec. 61.716. LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. The
board shall provide, in accordance with this subchapter and board
rules, assistance in the repayment of student loans for eligible
classroom teachers.
Sec. 61.717. ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive loan
repayment assistance under this subchapter, a person must:
(1) submit to the board, in the manner prescribed by
the board, an application that includes a statement of the total
amount of principal, accrued interest, fees, and other charges due
on all outstanding eligible loans for which the person is applying
for repayment assistance;
(2) be currently employed as a classroom teacher; and
(3) have completed at least five years of employment
as a classroom teacher.
Sec. 61.718. CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY. After initially
qualifying for loan repayment assistance under Section 61.717, a
person may continue to receive loan repayment assistance in a
subsequent year only if the person is employed as a classroom
teacher for that year.
Sec. 61.719. ELIGIBLE LOANS. The board may provide loan
repayment assistance under this subchapter for the repayment of any
student loan received by an eligible person through any lender for:
(1) education at an institution of higher education;
or
(2) an alternative teacher certification program in
this state.
Sec. 61.720. AWARD AMOUNT. An eligible classroom teacher
is entitled to receive an annual amount of loan repayment
assistance payments under this subchapter payable to the holders of
the teacher's eligible loans equal to the following percentage of
the total amount stated in the teacher's application under Section
61.717:
(1) for the first year the teacher receives loan
repayment assistance:
(A) 50 percent; or
(B) if the teacher is employed at a campus
assigned an overall performance rating of F under Section 39.054
for the preceding school year, 70 percent;
(2) for the second year the teacher receives loan
repayment assistance, 30 percent; and
(3) if any amount remains, for the third year the
teacher receives loan repayment assistance, 20 percent.
Sec. 61.721. REPAYMENT. (a) The board shall pay any loan
repayment assistance under this subchapter in a lump sum delivered
on the classroom teacher's behalf directly to the holder of the
loan.
(b) A repayment under this subchapter may be applied to any
amount due in connection with the loan.
Sec. 61.722. RULES. The board shall adopt rules necessary
for the administration of this subchapter.
SECTION 4. Section 29.153(b), Education Code, as amended by
this Act, applies beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.