HB 1281 — Teachers; Return to Teach Signing Bonus Act; emergency.

STATEHB1281 OFFULLPCS1 OKLAHOMAChad 1stCaldwell-AQH Session2/20/2025 of4:14:29 thepm 60thCOMMITTEE LegislatureAMENDMENT (2025) HOUSE BILLOF 1281REPRESENTATIVES By:State of Oklahoma SPEAKER:

CaldwellCHAIR: (Chad) 5 AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to teachers;

I move to amend HB1281 Of the printed Bill Page Section Lines Of the Engrossed Bill By deleting the content of the entire measure, and by inserting in lieu thereof the following language:

AMEND TITLE TO CONFORM TO AMENDMENTS Amendment submitted by:

Chad Caldwell Adopted:

_____________________________ ______________________Reading Clerk___ STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) PROPOSED COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR HOUSE BILL NO.

1281 By:

Caldwell (Chad) 6 8 PROPOSED COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE An Act relating to teachers;

establishing a signing bonus program for certain teachers;teachers and school counselors;

Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and subject to the availability of funding, the State Department of Education shall establishReq. and administer a signing bonus program for teachers who return to teaching in Oklahoma public schools.

Req.

1016212760 Page 1 C.establish and administer a signing bonus program for classroom teachers and school counselors who return to Oklahoma public schools.

The Department may prioritize applicants in locations and subject areas with the most need as determined by the Department.

C.

Be a teacher with at least three (3) years of prior teaching experience and a valid or expired teaching certificate issued by:

theBe Statea Boardclassroom teacher with at least three (3) years of Education,prior b.teaching experience and a valid or expired teaching certificate issued by:

(1) the State Board of Education, (2) the education certification entity of another state, c.(3) the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or (4) the education certification entity of another country, or b.

theBe Nationala Boardschool forcounselor Professionalwith Teachingat Standards,least three (3) years of prior experience and a valid or d.expired school counselor certificate issued by:

(1) the State Board of Education, (2) the education certification entity of another state, or (3) the education certification entity of another country;

2.Req.

No.

12760 Page 2 2.

Agree to be a full-time public school classroom teacher or school counselor in the state for a minimum of five (5) years;

Submit proof of his or her most recent teaching or school counselor employment which may include a paystub or letter from the school district superintendent or board of education;

Submit proof provided by the school district where the applicant will be employed as a full-time teacher;classroom teacher or school counselor;

Upon verification required by Req.subsection E of this section, the signing bonus shall be paid to participants no later than October 31 of each year or within thirty (30) days of the first day of school, whichever is earlier.

No.

10162 Page 2 subsection E of this section, the signing bonus shall be paid to participants no later than October 31 of each year or within thirty (30) days of the first day of school, whichever is earlier.

2.Req.

PriorNo. to the beginning of each school year after the teacher's first year participating in the signing bonus program, the teacher shall provide verification to the Department that the teacher continues to be eligible for the signing bonus program, including documentation from the Oklahoma school district where the teacher is employed full time.

12760 Page 3 2.

Prior to the beginning of each school year after the participant's first year participating in the signing bonus program, the participant shall provide verification to the Department that he or she continues to be eligible for the signing bonus program, including documentation from the Oklahoma school district where the participant is employed full time as a classroom teacher or school counselor.

If, after the payment of any signing bonus, the participant is not employed as a full-time public school classroom teacher or school counselor in the state during the agreed to five-year period, the participant shall be required to return to the Department a pro rata amount based on the unfulfilled portion of the five-year agreement period.

Any signing bonus paid pursuant to the Return to Teach Signing Bonus Act shall not be included in the calculation of salary Req.for purposes of meeting the district or statutory minimum salary schedule or for purposes of calculating Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma contributions or benefits.

No.

10162 Page 3 for purposes of meeting the district or statutory minimum salary schedule or for purposes of calculating Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma contributions or benefits.

SECTIONReq. 2.

No.

12760 Page 4 SECTION 2.

60-1-101626 60-1-12760 AQH 01/14/2502/20/25 8 Req.