HB1877

Report Title:

DOE; Teachers

Description:

Authorizes the department of education to fully reimburse the tuition of college of education graduates who teach in the public schools for at least 6 years.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1877
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's public school teacher shortage requires that the State find ways to encourage college students to enter the teaching profession and to retain them in the public school system after they graduate. The purpose of this Act is to provide full tuition reimbursement for college of education graduates who teach in Hawaii's public school system for at least six years.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Teacher reimbursement program. (a) There is established a teacher reimbursement program within the department of education to provide full tuition reimbursement to teachers for teaching in Hawaii's public schools for at least six years after graduating from the college of education at the University of Hawaii.

(b) The department shall adopt rules as necessary pursuant to chapter 91, to effectuate the purpose of this section.

(d) The tuition reimbursements granted under this section shall be cumulative and may be used to offset and forgive loan repayment obligations under the Hawaii educator loan program."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, for the teacher reimbursement authorized under this Act.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2002.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________