By:  Smith of Tarrant                                             H.B. No. 3237


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to return-to-work provisions for retirees of the Teachers Retirement System of Texas. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 824.602(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) Subject to Section 825.506, the retirement system may not, under Section 824.601, withhold a monthly benefit payment if the retiree is employed in a Texas public educational institution: (1) as a substitute only with pay not more than the daily rate of substitute pay established by the employer and, if the retiree is a disability retiree, the employment has not exceeded a total of 90 days in the school year; (2) in a position, other than as a substitute, on no more than a one-half time basis for the month; (3) in one or more positions on as much as a full-time basis, if the work occurs in not more than six months of a school year that begins after the retiree's effective date of retirement; (4) in a position, other than as a substitute, on no more than a one-half time basis for no more than 90 days in the school year, if the retiree is a disability retiree; (5) in a position as a classroom teacher on as much as a full-time basis, if the retiree has retired under Section 824.202(a), is certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, to teach the subjects assigned, is teaching in an acute shortage area as determined by the board of trustees of a school district as provided by Subsection (m), and has been separated from service with all public schools for at least 12 months; or (6) in a position as a principal, including as an assistant principal, on as much as a full-time basis, if the retiree has retired under Section 824.202(a) without reduction for retirement at an early age, is certified under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, to serve as a principal, and has been separated from service with all public schools for at least 12 months;[.] (6) a bus driver for a school district on as much as a full-time basis, if the retiree has retired under Section 824.202(a); (7) in any combination of positions listed in Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2) so long as the total number of hours worked in a calendar month does not exceed one-half time employment for that month. If the retiree is a disability retiree, employment may not exceed the limitation in Subdivision (4). SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to work performed under Section 824.602, Government Code, as amended by this Act, on or after the effective date of this Act. Work performed before the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the work was performed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.