HF1376 Bill Summary

• Increases Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board from 11 to 13 members and limits members to two consecutive terms instead of allowing reappointment for more than one additional term.

• Expands teacher preparation provider eligibility to include school districts, charter schools, and nonprofit corporations, not just postsecondary institutions, and establishes requirements for provider approval and program standards.

• Modifies teacher licensing tier system requirements, including changes to Tier 1-4 license qualifications, renewal periods, and exemptions from bachelor's degree requirements for career and technical education, world languages, and performing/visual arts licenses.

• Establishes new definition of "shortage area" requiring documentation that Indigenous teachers and teachers of color are underrepresented compared to student demographics, rather than general teacher shortages.

• Increases licensure application processing fee from $57 to $85 and portfolio review fees; changes reporting deadlines and modifies teacher preparation program reporting requirements.