SB 236  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2022 SESSION

22-2959

10/08

 

SENATE BILL 236

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study New Hampshire teacher shortages and recruitment incentives.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Kahn, Dist 10; Sen. Ward, Dist 8; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Rep. Myler, Merr. 10; Rep. Heath, Hills. 14

 

COMMITTEE: Education

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill establishes a committee to study New Hampshire teacher shortages and recruitment incentives.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

22-2959

10/08

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Two

 

AN ACT establishing a committee to study New Hampshire teacher shortages and recruitment incentives.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Committee Established. There is established a committee to study New Hampshire teacher shortages and recruitment incentives.

2  Membership and Compensation.

I.  The members of the committee shall be as follows:

(a)  Three members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b)  Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.

II.  The director of educator support and higher education, in the department of education, shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member and professional support.

III.  Members of the committee shall receive mileage at the legislative rate when attending to the duties of the committee.

3  Duties.  The committee shall:

I.  Study New Hampshire teacher shortages since 2018 and expected retirements through 2026.

II.  Identify strategies for attracting more qualified candidates into the profession to fill shortage areas with particular attention to attracting underrepresented minorities and filling positions in rural districts and districts with lower performance outcomes.

III.  Evaluate recruitment incentives used in other states, such as loan forgiveness, housing assistance, tuition reimbursements, and scholarships to help fill shortages and consider how such incentives might be offered and funded in New Hampshire, such as upon initial licensure and employment in the state.

IV.  Identify strategies for retaining currently licensed and practicing teachers.

4  Chairperson; Quorum.  The members of the study committee shall elect a chairperson from among the members.  The first meeting of the committee shall be called by the first-named senate member.  The first meeting of the committee shall be held within 45 days of the effective date of this section.  Three members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

5  Report.  The committee shall report its findings and any recommendations for proposed legislation to the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the chairs of the education committee in both the house of representatives and senate, the house clerk, the senate clerk, the governor, and the state library on or before November 1, 2023.

6  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.