Session News #15: Return-to-work law OK'd by House

May 28, 2015

Today, the House unanimously passed Senate Bill 20 (Sen. Long) which restructures the state’s return-to-work law and expands the grandfathered group of “retired teachers” to include individuals who retired on or before June 30, 2010, regardless of whether or not they were rehired by that date. After a 12-month waiting period, individuals classified as “retired teachers” can collect both a retirement benefit and salary upon re-employment.

The bill also adds school counselors, educational diagnosticians, and school social workers to critical shortage positions that qualify as “retired teachers.” And, it allows retirees serving as substitute teachers under the 25% earnings limit to proctor certain tests. Combined earnings through substitute teaching and test proctoring will still be subject to the 25% earnings limit.

SB 20 requires employers of return-to-work retirees in declared critical shortage positions to post a job notice at a career development office, or similar entity, of every postsecondary institution within a 120-mile radius of the school board, and annually certify that a critical shortage of certain positions exists in the school district.
 
SB 20 is now pending Senate concurrence before heading to the governor for his consideration.
 
In the Senate, the cost-of-living increase bill, House Bill 42 (Rep. Jones), was referred to the Senate Retirement Committee for consideration. HB 42 would provide a 1.5% permanent benefit increase (also known as a COLA) to eligible retirees of the four state systems.
 
Coming next week:
 
The Senate Retirement Committee is scheduled to meet at 12 p.m., Monday, June 1. An agenda for the meeting has not yet been made available.
 
House Bill 10 (Rep. Pearson), which was returned to calendar today, is subject to call by the full Senate on Monday. This bill would allow TRSL members to purchase service credit for out-of-state private school teaching service.
 
House Bill 562 (Rep. Havard), which would require certain nonrecurring funds to be applied to the IUAL of TRSL and LASERS, is scheduled to be considered by the full House on Monday. 
 
To view a comprehensive list of all legislation affecting TRSL this session, visit the Legislation page of TRSL’s website.