AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 31-7-13.2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK METHOD OF PROJECT DELIVERY; TO PROVIDE THAT FOR THE PURPOSES OF A QUALIFICATIONS-BASED SELECTION PROCEDURE, A CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK SERVICES SHALL BE TREATED THE SAME AS A CONTRACT FOR ARCHITECTURAL, ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING SERVICES; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SELECTED BY AN AGENCY OR GOVERNING AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AT RISK SERVICES SHALL SOLICIT BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION ON THE PROJECT AS PROVIDED IN THE PUBLIC PURCHASING LAW; TO PROVIDE THAT THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER MAY PREQUALIFY VENDORS AND CONTRACTORS WITH CERTAIN QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE SOLICITING ANY BIDS OR ENTERING INTO ANY CONTRACTS; TO PROVIDE THAT A BIDDER'S CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION SHALL NOT BE DISCLOSED TO ANYONE OUTSIDE OF THE AGENCY, GOVERNING AUTHORITY OR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER WITHOUT THE BIDDER'S PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-61-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO CREATE THE "COMPREHENSIVE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION REFORM (CCATER) ACT"; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 37-15-38, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO ALL INCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS OF THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS OFFERED BY LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS; TO REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS TO TAKE THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT; TO PROVIDE THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT IS ADMINISTERED IN THE NINTH, TENTH OR ELEVENTH GRADE; TO REVISE THE CURRICULUM IN THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT LOCAL BUSINESS OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO HOLD AN ASSOCIATE OR BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED AN EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE; TO EXPAND THE EXPERT CITIZEN-TEACHER LICENSE FROM ONE YEAR TO FIVE YEARS; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF EMPLOYED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT OR NONPUBLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITED OR APPROVED BY THE STATE FOR A MINIMUM OF FIVE YEARS SHALL BE GRANTED A STANDARD TEACHER LICENSE; TO REQUIRE SUCH TEACHERS TO COMPLY WITH ANY ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING TEACHERS, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING AND COMPLETION OF THE REQUIRED CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING SECTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-17-6, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE ACCREDITATION SYSTEM SHALL INCLUDE STUDENT PERFORMANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE ACT WORKKEYS ASSESSMENT, WHICH SHALL BE WEIGHTED IN THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS THE STANDARD ACT ASSESSMENT; TO REQUIRE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, ACTING THROUGH THE COMMISSION ON TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND LICENSURE AND DEVELOPMENT, AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, TO REQUIRE EACH EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM IN THE STATE TO INCLUDE A PRAXIS CORE ACADEMIC SKILLS FOR EDUCATORS EXAMINATION AND A PRAXIS II EXAMINATION PREPARATORY REVIEW COURSE, AS PART OF ITS CURRICULUM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 31-7-13.2, 25-61-9
Committee Substitute: 31-7-13.2, 25-61-9, 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6
As Passed by the House: 31-7-13.2, 25-61-9, 37-15-38, 37-16-17, 37-3-2, 37-16-3, 37-17-6