PA HB1991

Establishes the Bilingual Educators Advancement Grant Program within the Department of Education to recruit and retain bilingual certified teachers in public schools experiencing bilingual teacher shortages

Awards $10,000 annual grants to eligible bilingual certified teachers, renewable for up to 3 additional years (maximum $40,000 total), with funds designated for reimbursement of educational costs including student loans

Requires grant recipients to commit to one year of full-time service in a school with a bilingual teacher shortage for each year of award received, with repayment required if service obligation is not fulfilled

Limits any single school district to receiving no more than 60% of total program funds, with grants awarded through competitive process based on shortage magnitude, district fiscal capacity, and planned hires

Mandates annual reporting by November 1 to the Governor and General Assembly on grant distribution, usage, and program effectiveness in recruiting and retaining bilingual teachers