HB1178 - Relating to the creation of a temporary educator certificate for educators certified by other states.

      H.B. No. 1178         AN ACT   relating to the creation of a temporary educator certificate for   educators certified by other states.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 21.0521 to read as follows:           Sec.   21.0521.     TEMPORARY CERTIFICATION OF EDUCATORS FROM   OUTSIDE THIS STATE. (a) The board shall:                 (1)     establish a temporary certificate for educators   certified by other states; and                 (2)     immediately issue a certificate described by   Subdivision (1) to a person who applies for a certificate issued   under Section 21.052.           (b)     The board may rescind a temporary certificate issued to   a person under this section if the board determines as a result of a   review of the person's credentials that the person does not meet the   eligibility requirements under Subsection (c).           (c)     To be eligible for a temporary certificate issued under   this section, a person must:                 (1)     hold a valid non-temporary certificate or similar   credential in another state that qualifies the person to be   employed as an educator in that state; and                 (2)     hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of   higher education that is, and at the time the person received the   degree was, accredited.           (d)     Except as provided by Subsection (e), a temporary   certificate issued under this section expires on the earlier of:                 (1)     the first anniversary of the date the certificate   was issued; or                 (2)     the date the person is issued a certificate under   Section 21.052.           (e)     A temporary certificate issued under this section to an   educator who is the spouse of a person serving on active duty as a   member of the armed forces of the United States, as those terms are   defined by Section 55.001, Occupations Code, expires on the third   anniversary of the date the certificate was issued or a later date   specified by board rule.           (f)     A temporary certificate issued under this section may   not be reissued or renewed.          SECTION 2.  Sections 21.052(c), (d), (d-1), and (e),   Education Code, are repealed.          SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the State Board for Educator Certification shall adopt   rules necessary to implement Section 21.0521, Education Code, as   added by this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 1178 was passed by the House on May 7,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 148, Nays 0, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 1178 on May 29, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 130, Nays 2,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 1178 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 27, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor