AR SB5

Excludes 24 hours of pedagogy training for nontraditional teacher licensure from the required 60 hours of annual professional development.

Allows licensed personnel to earn up to 12 hours of professional development credit through online courses approved by the Department of Education related to school improvement plans or teacher professional learning plans.

Redefines "month or major portion thereof" for sick leave purposes to include all professional development days required by school districts that count toward the 60 annual hours.

Reduces state categorical funding for professional development from $54.00 to $32.40 per student average daily membership beginning in the 2014-2015 school year.

Declares an emergency effective July 1, 2014, citing inadequate public school employee health insurance funding and the need for changes to ensure a stable and affordable program.