The 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. School districts are also required to conduct exit interviews with departing teachers through an independent third party to gather insights for enhancing teacher retention strategies. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for financial planning and retirement training for educators, support for mentoring programs for school leaders, 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 plan. It also introduces lump sum payments as incentives for retention and recruitment for teachers and paraprofessionals, based on their employment status in certain school districts during the fiscal years ending June 30, 2026, 2027, and 2028. Furthermore, teachers who joined the defined contribution plan after June 30, 2006, can opt to switch to the defined benefit plan within 180 days of the bill's effective date, allowing for the transfer of contributions to purchase credited service in the defined benefit plan. The bill includes various amendments to clarify definitions and conditions related to retirement plan participation for educators in Alaska.

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