88S30789 PRL-F
 
  By: Thimesch H.B. No. 159
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of a temporary educator certificate for
  educators certified by other states.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 21.0521 to read as follows:
         Sec. 21.0521.  TEMPORARY CERTIFICATION OF EDUCATORS FROM
  OUTSIDE THIS STATE. (a) The board shall:
               (1)  establish a temporary educator certificate for
  educators certified by other states; and
               (2)  immediately issue a certificate described by
  Subdivision (1) to a person who applies for a certificate issued
  under Section 21.052.
         (b)  The board may rescind a temporary educator certificate
  issued to a person under this section if the board determines as a
  result of a review of the person's credentials that the person does
  not meet the eligibility requirements under Subsection (c).
         (c)  To be eligible for a temporary educator certificate
  issued under this section, a person must:
               (1)  hold a valid, unexpired, non-temporary
  certificate or similar credential in another state that qualifies
  the person to be employed as an educator in that state; and
               (2)  hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of
  higher education that is, and at the time the person received the
  degree was, accredited.
         (d)  Except as provided by Subsection (e), a temporary
  educator certificate issued under this section expires on the
  earlier of:
               (1)  the first anniversary of the date the certificate
  is issued; or
               (2)  the date the person is issued a certificate under
  Section 21.052.
         (e)  A temporary educator certificate issued under this
  section to an educator who is the spouse of a person serving on
  active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, as
  those terms are defined by Section 55.001, Occupations Code,
  expires on the third anniversary of the date the certificate is
  issued or a later date specified by board rule.
         (f)  A temporary educator certificate issued under this
  section may not be reissued or renewed.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 21.052(c), (d), (d-1), (e), and (i)(1)
  and (2), Education Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the State Board for Educator Certification shall adopt
  rules necessary to implement Section 21.0521, Education Code, as
  added by this Act.
         SECTION 4.  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 on the 91st day after the last day of the
  legislative session.