Menéndez Bill Pays Schools’ Extra Retirement Costs For Hiring Retirees

The text as introduced · 429 words

89R3771 KJE-D

By: Menéndez
S.B. No. 192

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a grant program to reimburse public schools for certain

costs associated with hiring retired teachers.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 21.416 to read as follows:

Sec. 21.416. EMPLOYED RETIREE TEACHER REIMBURSEMENT GRANT

PROGRAM. (a) From money appropriated or otherwise available, the

commissioner shall establish and administer a grant program to

reimburse a school district, an open-enrollment charter school, the

Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf, or the Texas

School for the Blind and Visually Impaired for the increased

contributions to the Teacher Retirement System associated with

hiring a teacher who retired before September 1, 2024.

(b) In appropriating money for grants awarded under this

section, the legislature may provide for, modify, or limit amounts

appropriated for that purpose in the General Appropriations Act,

including by:

(1) providing, notwithstanding Subsection (a), a date

or date range other than September 1, 2024, before which a teacher

must have retired for a school district, an open-enrollment charter

school, the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf,

or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to be

eligible; or

(2) limiting eligibility to a district or school

described by Subdivision (1) that hires a retired teacher:

(A) who holds a certain certification;

(B) to teach a certain subject or grade;

(C) in a certain geographical area; or

(D) to provide instruction to certain students,

including to students with disabilities.

(c) If the total amount of money sought by eligible

districts or schools exceeds the amount of money appropriated or

otherwise available for the purpose, the commissioner shall

prioritize awarding grants to eligible districts or schools with

the most need, beginning with districts or schools that hire a

retired teacher to teach special education or bilingual education.

(d) A school district, an open-enrollment charter school,

the Windham School District, the Texas School for the Deaf, or the

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired may use money

received under this section to make required payments under Section

825.4092, Government Code.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026

school year.

SECTION 3. 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 September 1, 2025.