HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

758

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to teachers.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the department of education experiences extreme difficulty in hiring educational specialists for shortage positions around the State.  Positions within specialty areas often remain vacant for an extended period of time, leaving students with inadequate educational services that are necessary for proper learning and development.  The legislature also finds that these positions remain vacant because there are insufficient incentives to attract needed specialists in shortage areas.  The legislature also finds that the department of education lacks the means to attract qualified teachers and specialists to shortage areas due to statutory pay scale restrictions that do not credit incoming teachers for their previous experience gained outside of the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide additional incentives for educational specialists in teacher shortage areas.

     SECTION 2.  Section 302A-627, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Any teacher who served on active duty with the armed forces of the United States shall be given credit by the department for the teacher's military service in the determination of the teacher's salary, the teacher's eligibility for leaves of absence, and for all other purposes of seniority.  Both reentering and entering teachers shall have each year of their military service or six months thereof credited as a year of teaching experience; provided that unless a teacher is hired for a teacher shortage area identified by the department, no more than four years of credit for military service shall be allowed.  Evidence of military service shall be by certificate."

     SECTION 3.  Section 302A-630, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302A-630  [[]Teachers; additional benefits or credits.[]]  (a)  Teachers with special assignments, where their responsibilities are greater, may be provided additional benefits by the department.

     (b)  Teachers in Hawaiian language medium education whose responsibilities are greater or unique and require additional language skills may be provided additional benefits by the department.

     (c)  In determining additional benefits for vocational agriculture and technical school teachers, the department may allow credit for practical experience.

     (d)  In determining additional benefits for teachers, staff, and administrators in Hawaiian language medium education, the department may allow credit for practical experience.

     (e)  In determining teacher salary, there shall be no limit to the amount of credit for practical experience that the department may allow to teachers in a shortage area identified by the department; provided that the teacher was hired to work in a teacher shortage area at the time of hiring."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall apply to collective bargaining agreements executed on or after the effective date of this Act.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Teachers; Salary Credit; Teacher Shortage Area

 

Description:

Prohibits limits on the amount of professional experience credit DOE can grant to teachers hired for teacher shortage areas.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.