This bill amends Alaska's education laws to improve reporting and support for teachers and school districts. It mandates the Department of Education and Early Development to provide an annual report to the legislature and school districts, which will include information on teacher working conditions, local housing availability, and data from teacher exit interviews. Additionally, school districts are required to conduct exit interviews with departing teachers through an independent third party. The bill also introduces financial planning and retirement training for teachers and paraprofessionals, support for mentoring programs for school principals and district superintendents, and clarifies teacher certification eligibility by incorporating international accreditation standards.

In terms of retirement laws, the bill specifies that teachers who become members on or after July 1, 2006, and are not part of the defined benefit retirement plan will participate in the defined contribution retirement plan. It also allows for lump sum payments as retention and recruitment incentives for teachers and paraprofessionals, with amounts varying by school district. A transition provision is included for certain teachers to switch from the defined contribution to the defined benefit plan within 180 days of the bill's effective date, allowing them to transfer contributions and receive credited service. The bill outlines specific effective dates for its provisions, with some taking effect immediately and others by July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
HB0231A, AM HB 231, introduced 05/19/2025: 14.03.078, 14.03.120, 14.03.123, 14.20.183, 14.30.760, 14.30.780, 14.03.420, 14.07.020, 14.03.125, 47.12.990, 14.07.165, 14.33.120, 14.07.030, 14.30.765, 14.30.770, 14.03.410, 14.30.800, 14.20.020, 14.25.009, 14.25.220, 39.35.095, 39.35.680, 14.25.540, 14.25.310, 14.25.590, 14.25.330, 14.43.700, 14.43.600, 39.35.120, 14.40.661, 14.40.799, 39.35.700, 39.35.990, 39.35.381, 39.25.200, 39.35.131, 39.35.158, 24.10.060, 39.30.150