89R3771 KJE-D
By: Menéndez S.B. No. 192
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a grant program to reimburse public schools for certain
costs associated with hiring retired teachers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.416 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.416. EMPLOYED RETIREE TEACHER REIMBURSEMENT GRANT
PROGRAM. (a) From money appropriated or otherwise available, the
commissioner shall establish and administer a grant program to
reimburse a school district, an open-enrollment charter school, the
Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf, or the Texas
School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the increased
contributions to the Teacher Retirement System associated with
hiring a teacher who retired before September 1, 2024.
(b) In appropriating money for grants awarded under this
section, the legislature may provide for, modify, or limit amounts
appropriated for that purpose in the General Appropriations Act,
including by:
(1) providing, notwithstanding Subsection (a), a date
or date range other than September 1, 2024, before which a teacher
must have retired for a school district, an open-enrollment charter
school, the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf,
or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to be
eligible; or
(2) limiting eligibility to a district or school
described by Subdivision (1) that hires a retired teacher:
(A) who holds a certain certification;
(B) to teach a certain subject or grade;
(C) in a certain geographical area; or
(D) to provide instruction to certain students,
including to students with disabilities.
(c) If the total amount of money sought by eligible
districts or schools exceeds the amount of money appropriated or
otherwise available for the purpose, the commissioner shall
prioritize awarding grants to eligible districts or schools with
the most need, beginning with districts or schools that hire a
retired teacher to teach special education or bilingual education.
(d) A school district, an open-enrollment charter school,
the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf, or the
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired may use money
received under this section to make required payments under Section
825.4092, Government Code.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
school year.
SECTION 3. 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, 2025.