House Bill 3 Summary

• Creates a "Critical Teacher Shortage Area License" effective July 1, 2019, for educators meeting alternative qualifications including a 21 ACT equivalent, specific Praxis scores, portfolio submissions, or retired teachers with full retirement benefits.

• Requires school districts using critical teacher shortage area licenses to provide 50 additional professional development hours during the first three years of employment and assign a veteran mentor teacher for the first two years.

• Allows retired teachers with at least 25 years of creditable public school service and one year of retirement to be employed in critical teacher shortage areas while continuing to receive their retirement allowance plus beginning teacher salary.

• Removes the July 1, 2020 repeal date for provisions of the "Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act of 1998," making permanent programs for teacher recruitment, relocation assistance, employer-assisted housing, and teacher recruitment grants.

• Modifies Public Employees' Retirement System provisions to permit retired teachers hired under these alternative licensing procedures to continue receiving retirement benefits while working, with employers transferring Mississippi Adequate Education Program funds to offset pension liabilities.