2024 -- H 7592

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LC004970

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives O'Brien, McNamara, Slater, Kennedy, Azzinaro,
Shanley, Dawson, McEntee, Noret, and Vella-Wilkinson

     Date Introduced: February 09, 2024

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-16-24.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-16 entitled "Teachers’

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Retirement [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby

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amended to read as follows:

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     16-16-24.2. Substitute teaching and post-retirement employment related to statewide

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staffing. [Expires June 20, 2024.]

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     (a) Notwithstanding any public or general law, or rule or regulation to the contrary, any

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teacher, administrator, or staff member who has retired under the provisions of title 16, 36, or 45

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may exceed the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment upon:

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     (1) A determination by the local education authority that there exists a specialized need,

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within their authority, to fill positions on a temporary basis, that may exceed the ninety-day (90)

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cap on post-retirement employment;

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     (2) Retired teachers, administrators, and staff members being asked to exceed the ninety-

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day (90) cap on post-retirement employment possess the skills, training, and knowledge necessary

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to help address teacher and administrative staffing shortages; and

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     (3) The local education authority has notified the state retirement board that it has

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determined that exceeding the ninety-day (90) cap on post-retirement employment is necessary to

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help address teacher and administrative staffing shortages.

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     Provided, however, that no employment may be offered to a retiree subject to this section

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unless the employer has made a good-faith effort each school year to fill the position with a

 

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nonretired employee without success, and certifies, in writing, that it has done so to the employees’

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retirement system and to the bargaining agents of all education unions with whom the employer

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has collective bargaining agreements.

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     (b) Any teacher, administrator, or staff member who has retired under the provisions of

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title 16, 36, or 45, and has been employed or re-employed under the provisions of this section, shall

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not be entitled to additional service credits for such employment.

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     (c) Unless extended by the general assembly, this section shall sunset on June 20, 2024

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2026.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- TEACHERS' RETIREMENT

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     This act would extend the sunset provision of § 16-16-24.2 to June 20, 2026.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC004970

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