The bill, S.B. No. 192, proposes the establishment of a grant program aimed at reimbursing public schools for costs associated with hiring retired teachers. Specifically, it mandates the commissioner to create a program that will provide financial support to school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and certain specialized schools for the increased contributions to the Teacher Retirement System when hiring teachers who retired before September 1, 2024. The bill also allows the legislature to modify eligibility criteria, including the retirement date and specific qualifications for the retired teachers, as well as prioritizing grants for schools that hire teachers for special education or bilingual education.

The implementation of this grant program is set to begin with the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, the bill stipulates that if the total funding requested by eligible schools exceeds the available budget, the commissioner must prioritize grants based on the needs of the districts or schools. The funds received can also be used to fulfill required payments under existing government code provisions. The bill will take effect immediately if it secures a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will become effective on September 1, 2025.

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