Bill Text: NJ A3150 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Extends validity of temporary instructional certificate issued to military spouse to one year; requires expedited processing of application by military spouse for NJ instructional certificate and reduced fees for military spouse to obtain certificate.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-24 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [A3150 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A3150-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROL A. MURPHY
District 7 (Burlington)
SYNOPSIS
Extends validity of temporary instructional certificate issued to military spouse to one year; requires expedited processing of application by military spouse for NJ instructional certificate and reduced fees for military spouse to obtain certificate.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning teacher certification for military spouses and amending and supplementing P.L.2013, c.68.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2013, c.68 (C.18A:26-2.14) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. As used in this section, "nonresident military spouse" means a person (1) whose spouse is an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is the subject of a military transfer to New Jersey, and (2) who has left employment in another state to accompany such spouse to New Jersey.
b. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the State Board of Education shall establish a procedure for the issuance of a temporary instructional certificate to a nonresident military spouse that authorizes a board of education to employ the nonresident military spouse as a teacher if, at the time of application, the nonresident military spouse:
(1) Holds a valid and current license or certificate to teach issued by another state for which there is an equivalent and currently-issued New Jersey grade level or subject endorsement;
(2) Demonstrates competency in teaching in a manner determined by the State Board of Examiners, such as having taught successfully under the out-of-State license or certificate for at least three years, as documented by a letter of experience from a past supervisor or authorized district representative; having met the New Jersey grade point average requirement for an instructional certificate under State Board of Education regulations; or having completed continuing education units; and
(3) Pays any applicable fees required by the State Board of Examiners , which fees shall not exceed $100.
c. A temporary instructional certificate issued under this section shall be valid for [180] 365 days and may be extended at the discretion of the State Board of Examiners for another [180] 365 days on application of the holder of the temporary instructional certificate. The temporary instructional certificate shall authorize the nonresident military spouse to be employed as a teacher by a board of education on a temporary basis while completing any specific additional requirements for an instructional certificate in New Jersey that were not required in the other state in which the nonresident military spouse holds a license or certificate to teach.
d. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a nonresident military spouse from obtaining a New Jersey certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, or standard certificate under State Board of Education regulations, including the regulation for interstate reciprocity.
e. The State Board of Education shall promulgate regulations pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to effectuate the provisions of this section.
(cf: P.L.2013, c.68, s.1)
2. (New section) The Department of Education shall establish procedures to expedite the processing of an application submitted by a nonresident military spouse, as defined in subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.2013, c.68 (C.18A:26-2.14), for a New Jersey instructional certificate. The Department of Education and the State Board of Examiners shall establish a reduced fee schedule for the issuance of an instructional certificate to a nonresident military spouse. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the issuance of an instructional certificate to a nonresident military spouse who has not met the applicable State requirements for the certificate.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Current law, P.L.2013, c.68 (C.18A:26-2.14), provides a process whereby an individual who is licensed to teach in another state and is married to an active duty member of the military who has been transferred to New Jersey, may obtain a temporary instructional certificate to be employed as a teacher in New Jersey on a temporary basis while completing any additional requirements for a New Jersey instructional certificate. The temporary instructional certificate is valid for 180 days and may be extended by the State Board of Examiners for another 180 days. This bill amends current law to provide that the temporary instructional certificate will be valid for 365 days and may be extended by the State board for another 365 days. The bill also provides that the fees charged to a nonresident military spouse for the issuance of a temporary instructional certificate cannot exceed $100.
In addition, this bill supplements existing law to require the Department of Education to establish procedures to expedite the processing of an application submitted by a nonresident military spouse for a New Jersey instructional certificate. The bill also directs the Department of Education and the State Board of Examiners to establish a reduced fee schedule for the issuance of an instructional certificate to a nonresident military spouse.
