House Bill 1269 Summary

• Provides a $5,000 one-time signing bonus to first-year licensed teachers who contract for employment in critical teacher shortage areas designated by the State Board of Education, including Hinds County, effective July 1, 2021.

• Authorizes local school districts in critical shortage areas to provide financial incentives to retired licensed teachers to provide academic instruction and serve as mentors.

• Amends the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act of 1998 to explicitly include Hinds County in critical shortage area designations for teacher relocation reimbursement, employer-assisted housing loans, and other teacher incentive programs.

• Establishes that signing bonuses are calculated into contracted salary and paid proportionately over the contract term by the local school district.