HF 2398 (LSB 5896HV (1) 89)

HOUSE FILE 2398

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 656)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to renewal requirements for licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master’s or doctoral degrees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 272.2, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  License practitioners, which includes the authority to establish do all of the following: 
   (1)  Establish criteria for the licenses; establish.
   (2)  Establish issuance and renewal requirements, provided that a continuing education requirement may be completed by electronic means; create, and there shall be no renewal requirement for a practitioner who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree.
   (3)  Create application and renewal forms; create.
   (4)  Create licenses that authorize different instructional functions or specialties; develop.
   (5)  Develop a code of professional rights and responsibilities, practices, and ethics, which shall, among other things, address the all of the following:
   (a)  The failure of a practitioner to fulfill contractual obligations under section 279.13, the.
   (b)  The failure of an administrator to protect the safety of staff and students, the.
   (c)  The failure of an administrator to meet mandatory reporter obligations, the.
   (d)  The refusal of a practitioner to implement provisions of an individualized education program or behavioral intervention plan, and habitual.
   (e)  Habitual nonparticipation in professional development; and develop.
   (f)  The development of any other classifications, distinctions, and procedures which may be necessary to exercise licensing duties. In addressing the failure of a practitioner to fulfill contractual obligations, the board shall consider factors beyond the practitioner’s control.
    Sec. 2.  Section 272.7, subsection 1, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   1.  A license issued under board authority is valid for the period of time for which it is issued, unless the license is suspended or revoked. No Except as provided in section 272.2, subsection 1, paragraph “a”, subparagraph (2), permanent licenses shall not be issued. A person employed as a practitioner shall hold a valid license with an endorsement for the type of service for which the person is employed. This section does not limit the duties or powers of a school board to select or discharge practitioners or to terminate practitioners’ contracts. A professional development program, except for a program offered by a practitioner preparation institution or area education agency and approved by the state board of education, must possess a valid license for the types of programs offered.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to renewal requirements for licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master’s or doctoral degrees.
   Current law authorizes the board of educational examiners (BOEE) to establish renewal requirements for licensed practitioners. The bill provides that there shall be no renewal requirement for a practitioner who possesses a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill makes conforming changes, including changes to authorize permanent licensure for practitioners who possess a master’s or doctoral degree. The bill does not affect the BOEE’s ability to deny or revoke a license under Code section 272.2(14).