88S30789 PRL-F
 
  By: Thimesch H.B. No. 159
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a temporary educator certificate for
educators certified by other states.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.0521 to read as follows:
       Sec. 21.0521.  TEMPORARY CERTIFICATION OF EDUCATORS FROM
OUTSIDE THIS STATE. (a) The board shall:
             (1)  establish a temporary educator certificate for
educators certified by other states; and
             (2)  immediately issue a certificate described by
Subdivision (1) to a person who applies for a certificate issued
under Section 21.052.
       (b)  The board may rescind a temporary educator certificate
issued to a person under this section if the board determines as a
result of a review of the person's credentials that the person does
not meet the eligibility requirements under Subsection (c).
       (c)  To be eligible for a temporary educator certificate
issued under this section, a person must:
             (1)  hold a valid, unexpired, non-temporary
certificate or similar credential in another state that qualifies
the person to be employed as an educator in that state; and
             (2)  hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of
higher education that is, and at the time the person received the
degree was, accredited.
       (d)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), a temporary
educator certificate issued under this section expires on the
earlier of:
             (1)  the first anniversary of the date the certificate
is issued; or
             (2)  the date the person is issued a certificate under
Section 21.052.
       (e)  A temporary educator certificate issued under this
section to an educator who is the spouse of a person serving on
active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, as
those terms are defined by Section 55.001, Occupations Code,
expires on the third anniversary of the date the certificate is
issued or a later date specified by board rule.
       (f)  A temporary educator certificate issued under this
section may not be reissued or renewed.
       SECTION 2.  Sections 21.052(c), (d), (d-1), (e), and (i)(1)
and (2), Education Code, are repealed.
       SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the State Board for Educator Certification shall adopt
rules necessary to implement Section 21.0521, Education Code, as
added by this Act.
       SECTION 4.  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 on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 21.052 (Education Code 21)