MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Education
By: Representatives Felsher, Hulum, McLean
AN ACT TO ENACT THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT AND PROVIDE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ENTERS THE COMPACT WITH OTHER STATES THAT JOIN IN THE COMPACT; TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact is enacted into law and entered into by this state with any and all states legally joining in the Compact in accordance with its terms, in the form substantially as follows:
INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY COMPACT
ARTICLE I.
PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Compact is to facilitate the mobility of teachers across the Member States, with the goal of supporting teachers through a new pathway to licensure. Through this Compact, the Member States seek to establish a collective regulatory framework that expedites and enhances the ability of teachers to move across state lines. This Compact is intended to achieve the following objectives and should be interpreted accordingly. The Member States hereby ratify the same intentions by subscribing hereto.
A. Create a streamlined pathway to licensure mobility for teachers;
B. Support the relocation of eligible military spouses;
C. Facilitate and enhance the exchange of licensure, investigative, and disciplinary information between the Member States;
D. Enhance the power of state and district level education officials to hire qualified, competent teachers by removing barriers to the employment of out-of-state teachers;
E. Support the retention of teachers in the profession by removing barriers to relicensure in a new state; and
F. Maintain state sovereignty in the regulation of the teaching profession.
ARTICLE II.
DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Compact, and except as otherwise provided, the following definitions shall govern the terms herein:
A. "Active military member" means any person with full-time duty status in the uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve.
B. "Adverse action" means any limitation or restriction imposed by a Member State's licensing authority, such as revocation, suspension, reprimand, probation, or limitation on the licensee's ability to work as a teacher.
C. "Bylaws" means those bylaws established by the Commission.
D. "Career and technical education license" means a current, valid authorization issued by a Member State's Licensing Authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in P-12 public educational settings in a specific career and technical education area.
E. "Charter Member States" means a Member State that has enacted legislation to adopt this Compact where such legislation predates the initial meeting of the Commission after the effective date of the Compact.
F. "Commission" means the interstate administrative body which membership consists of delegates of all states that have enacted this Compact, and which is known as the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission.
G. "Commissioner" means the delegate of a Member State.
H. "Eligible license" means a license to engage in the teaching profession which requires at least a bachelor's degree and the completion of a state-approved program for teacher licensure.
I. "Eligible military spouse" means the spouse of any individual in full-time duty status in the active uniformed service of the United States, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty moving as a result of a military mission or military career progression requirements or are on their terminal move as a result of separation or retirement (to include surviving spouses of deceased military members).
J. "Executive committee" means a group of Commissioners elected or appointed to act on behalf of, and within the powers granted to them by, the Commission as provided for herein.
K. "Licensing Authority" means an official, agency, board, or other entity of a state that is responsible for the licensing and regulation of teachers authorized to teach in P-12 public educational settings.
L. "Member State" means any state that has adopted this Compact, including all agencies and officials of such a state.
M. "Receiving State" means any State where a teacher has applied for licensure under this Compact.
N. "Rule" means any regulation promulgated by the Commission under this Compact, which shall have the force of law in each Member State.
O. "State" means a state, territory, or possession of the United States, and the District of Columbia.
P. "State practice laws" means a Member State's laws, rules, and regulations that govern the teaching profession, define the scope of such profession, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline.
Q. "State specific requirements" means a requirement for licensure covered in coursework or examination that includes content of unique interest to the state.
R. "Teacher" means an individual who currently holds an authorization from a Member State that forms the basis for employment in the P-12 public schools of the State to provide instruction in a specific subject area, grade level, or student population.
S. "Unencumbered license" means a current, valid authorization issued by a Member State's Licensing Authority allowing an individual to serve as a teacher in P-12 public educational settings. An unencumbered license is not a restricted, probationary, provisional, substitute or temporary credential.
ARTICLE III.
LICENSURE UNDER THE COMPACT.
A. Licensure under this Compact pertains only to the initial grant of a license by the receiving state. Nothing herein applies to any subsequent or ongoing compliance requirements that a receiving state might require for teachers.
B. Each Member State shall, in accordance with the rules of the Commission, define, compile, and update as necessary, a list of eligible licenses and career and technical education licenses that the Member State is willing to consider for equivalency under this Compact and provide the list to the Commission. The list shall include those licenses that a receiving state is willing to grant to teachers from other Member States, pending a determination of equivalency by the receiving state's licensing authority.
C. Upon the receipt of an application for licensure by a teacher holding an unencumbered eligible license, the receiving state shall determine which of the receiving state's eligible licenses the teacher is qualified to hold and shall grant such a license or licenses to the applicant. Such a determination shall be made in the sole discretion of the receiving state's licensing authority and may include a determination that the applicant is not eligible for any of the receiving state's eligible licenses. For all teachers who hold an unencumbered license, the receiving state shall grant one or more unencumbered license(s) that, in the receiving state's sole discretion, are equivalent to the license(s) held by the teacher in any other Member State.
D. For active military members and eligible military spouses who hold a license that is not unencumbered, the receiving state shall grant an equivalent license or licenses that, in the receiving state's sole discretion, is equivalent to the license or licenses held by the teacher in any other Member State, except where the receiving state does not have an equivalent license.
E. For a teacher holding an unencumbered career and technical education license, the receiving state shall grant an unencumbered license equivalent to the career and technical education license held by the applying teacher and issued by another Member State, as determined by the receiving state in its sole discretion, except where a career and technical education teacher does not hold a bachelor's degree and the receiving state requires a bachelor's degree for licenses to teach career and technical education. A receiving state may require career and technical education teachers to meet state industry recognized requirements, if required by law in the receiving state.
ARTICLE IV.
LICENSURE NOT UNDER THE COMPACT.
A. Except as provided in Article III above, nothing in this Compact shall be construed to limit or inhibit the power of a Member State to regulate licensure or endorsements overseen by the Member State's licensing authority.
B. When a teacher is required to renew a license received pursuant to this Compact, the state granting such a license may require the teacher to complete state specific requirements as a condition of licensure renewal or advancement in that state.
C. For the purposes of determining compensation, a receiving state may require additional information from teachers receiving a license under the provisions of this Compact.
D. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to limit the power of a Member State to control and maintain ownership of its information pertaining to teachers, or limit the application of a Member State's laws or regulations governing the ownership, use, or dissemination of information pertaining to teachers.
E. Nothing in this Compact shall be construed to invalidate or alter any existing agreement or other cooperative arrangement which a Member State may already be a party to, or limit the ability of a Member State to participate in any future agreement or other cooperative arrangement to:
1. Award teaching licenses or other benefits based on additional professional credentials, including, but not limited to, National Board Certification;
2. Participate in the exchange of names of teachers whose license has been subject to an adverse action by a Member State; or
3. Participate in any agreement or cooperative arrangement with a non-Member State.
ARTICLE V.
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR
LICENSURE UNDER THE COMPACT.
A. Except as provided for active military members or eligible military spouses in Article III.D above, a teacher may only be eligible to receive a license under this compact where that teacher holds an unencumbered license in a Member State.
B. A teacher eligible to receive a license under this Compact shall, unless otherwise provided for herein:
1. Upon their application to receive a license under this Compact, undergo a criminal background check in the receiving state in accordance with the laws and regulations of the receiving state; and
2. Provide the receiving state with information in addition to the information required for licensure for the purposes of determining compensation, if applicable.
ARTICLE VI.
DISCIPLINE/ADVERSE ACTIONS
A. Nothing in this Compact shall be deemed or construed to limit the authority of a Member State to investigate or impose disciplinary measures on teachers according to the state practice laws thereof.
B. Member States shall be authorized to receive, and shall provide, files and information regarding the investigation and discipline, if any, of teachers in other Member States upon request. Any Member State receiving such information or files shall protect and maintain the security and confidentiality thereof, in at least the same manner that it maintains its own investigatory or disciplinary files and information. Prior to disclosing any disciplinary or investigatory information received from another Member State, the disclosing state shall communicate its intention and purpose for such disclosure to the Member State which originally provided that information.
ARTICLE VII.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INTERSTATE TEACHER MOBILITY
COMPACT COMMISSION.
A. The Interstate Compact Member States hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission:
1. The Commission is a joint interstate governmental agency comprised of states that have enacted the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact.
2. Nothing in this Interstate Compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.
B. Membership, voting, and meetings:
1. Each Member State shall have and be limited to one (1) delegate to the Commission, who shall be given the title of Commissioner.
2. The Commissioner shall be the primary administrative officer of the state licensing authority or their designee.
3. Any Commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the Commissioner is appointed.
4. The Member State shall fill any vacancy occurring in the Commission within ninety (90) days.
5. Each Commissioner shall be entitled to one (1) vote about the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the Commission. A Commissioner shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for Commissioners' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.
6. The Commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.
7. The Commission shall establish by rule a term of office for Commissioners.
C. The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
1. Establish a code of ethics for the Commission.
2. Establish the fiscal year of the Commission.
3. Establish bylaws for the Commission.
4. Maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws of the Commission.
5. Meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this Interstate Compact, the bylaws, and rules of the Commission.
6. Promulgate uniform rules to implement and administer this Interstate Compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in all Member States. In the event the Commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the Commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect of law.
7. Bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the Commission, provided that the standing of any Member State licensing authority to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected.
8. Purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.
9. Borrow, accept, or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a Member State, or an associated nongovernmental organization that is open to membership by all states.
10. Hire employees, elect, or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the Compact, and establish the Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters.
11. Lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise own, hold, improve, or use, any property, real, personal or mixed, provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety.
12. Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property real, personal, or mixed.
13. Establish a budget and make expenditures.
14. Borrow money.
15. Appoint committees, including standing committees composed of members and such other interested persons as may be designated in this Interstate Compact, rules, or bylaws.
16. Provide and receive information from, and cooperate with, law enforcement agencies.
17. Establish and elect an Executive Committee.
18. Establish and develop a charter for an Executive Information Governance Committee to advise on facilitating exchange of information; use of information, data privacy, and technical support needs, and provide reports as needed.
19. Perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Interstate Compact consistent with the state regulation of teacher licensure.
20. Determine whether a state's adopted language is materially different from the model Compact language such that the state would not qualify for participation in the Compact.
D. The Executive Committee of the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact Commission.
1. The Executive Committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Commission according to the terms of this Interstate Compact.
2. The Executive Committee shall be composed of eight (8) voting members:
a. The Commission chair, vice chair, and treasurer; and
b. Five (5) members who are elected by the Commission from the current membership:
i. Four (4) voting members representing geographic regions in accordance with Commission rules; and
ii. One at-large voting member in accordance with Commission rules.
3. The Commission may add or remove members of the Executive Committee as provided in Commission rules.
4. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once annually.
5. The Executive Committee shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
a. Recommend to the entire Commission changes to the rules or bylaws, changes to the Compact legislation, fees paid by Interstate Compact Member States such as annual dues, and any Compact fee charged by the Member States on behalf of the Commission.
b. Ensure Commission administration services are appropriately provided, contractual or otherwise.
c. Prepare and recommend the budget.
d. Maintain financial records on behalf of the Commission.
e. Monitor compliance of Member States and provide reports to the Commission.
f. Perform other duties as provided in rules or bylaws.
6. Meetings of the Commission:
a. All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in accordance with Commission bylaws.
b. The Commission or the Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the Commission or Executive Committee or other committees of the Commission must discuss:
i. Noncompliance of a Member State with its obligations under the Compact.
ii. The employment, compensation, discipline or other matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures.
iii. Current, threatened, or reasonably anticipated litigation.
iv. Negotiation of contracts for the purchase, lease, or sale of goods, services, or real estate.
v. Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person.
vi. Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential.
vii. Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
viii. Disclosure of investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes.
ix. Disclosure of information related to any investigative reports prepared by or on behalf of or for use of the Commission or other committee charged with responsibility of investigation or determination of compliance issues pursuant to the Compact.
x. Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or Member State statute.
xi. Other matters as set forth by Commission bylaws and rules.
c. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the Commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision.
d. The Commission shall keep minutes of Commission meetings and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
7. Financing of the Commission:
a. The Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.
b. The Commission may accept all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and receive, utilize, and dispose of the same, provided that at all times the Commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest.
c. The Commission may levy on and collect an annual assessment from each Member State or impose fees on other parties to cover the cost of the operations and activities of the Commission, in accordance with the Commission rules.
d. The Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Commission pledge the credit of any of the Member States, except by and with the authority of the Member State.
e. The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be subject to accounting procedures established under Commission bylaws. All receipts and disbursements of funds of the Commission shall be reviewed annually in accordance with Commission bylaws, and a report of the review shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Commission.
8. Qualified immunity, defense, and indemnification:
a. The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the Commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
b. The Commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.
c. The Commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive director, employee, or representative of the Commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
ARTICLE VIII.
RULEMAKING.
A. The Commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this Interstate Compact and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment.
B. The Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules to achieve the intent and purpose of this Interstate Compact. In the event the Commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond purpose and intent of this Interstate Compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the Commission shall be invalid and have no force and effect of law in the Member States.
C. If a majority of the legislatures of the Member States rejects a rule, by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to adopt the Compact within four (4) years of the date of adoption of the rule, then such rule shall have no further force and effect in any Member State.
D. Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted or ratified at a regular or special meeting of the Commission in accordance with Commission rules and bylaws.
E. Upon determination that an emergency exists, the Commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule with forty-eight (48) hours' notice, with opportunity to comment, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:
a. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare.
1. Prevent a loss of Commission or Member State funds;
2. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is established by federal law or rule; or
3. Protect public health and safety.
ARTICLE IX.
FACILITATING INFORMATION EXCHANGE.
A. The Commission shall provide for facilitating the exchange of information to administer and implement the provisions of this Compact in accordance with the rules of the Commission, consistent with generally accepted data protection principles.
B. Nothing in this Compact shall be deemed or construed to alter, limit, or inhibit the power of a Member State to control and maintain ownership of its licensee information or alter, limit, or inhibit the laws or regulations governing licensee information in the Member State.
ARTICLE X.
OVERSIGHT, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, AND ENFORCEMENT.
A. Oversight:
1. The executive and judicial branches of state government in each Member State shall enforce this Compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate the Compact's purposes and intent. The provisions of this Compact shall have standing as statutory law.
2. Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the Commission shall be brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the Commission is located. The Commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings. Nothing herein shall affect or limit the selection or propriety of venue in any action against a licensee for professional malpractice, misconduct or any such similar matter.
3. All courts and all administrative agencies shall take judicial notice of the Compact, the rules of the Commission, and any information provided to a Member State pursuant thereto in any judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding in a Member State pertaining to the subject matter of this Compact, or which may affect the powers, responsibilities, or actions of the Commission. 4. The Commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding regarding the enforcement or interpretation of the Compact and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide the Commission service of process shall render a judgment or order void as to the Commission, this Compact, or promulgated rules.
B. Default, Technical Assistance, and Termination.
1. If the Commission determines that a Member State has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this Compact or the promulgated rules, the Commission shall:
a. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other Member States of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default or any other action to be taken by the Commission; and
b. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
C. If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting State may be terminated from the Compact upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the Commissioners of the Member States, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred on that state by this Compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.
D. Termination of membership in the Compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the Commission to the Governor, the majority and minority leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, the state licensing authority and each of the Member States.
E. A state that has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.
F. The Commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or that has been terminated from the Compact, unless agreed upon in writing between the Commission and the defaulting state.
G. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees.
H. Dispute Resolution:
1. Upon request by a Member State, the Commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the Compact that arise among Member States and between Member and non-Member States.
2. The Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both binding and nonbinding alternative dispute resolution for disputes as appropriate.
I. Enforcement:
1. The Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this Compact.
2. By majority vote, the Commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district where the Commission has its principal offices against a Member State in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws. The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorney's fees. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the Commission. The Commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.
ARTICLE XI.
EFFECTUATION, WITHDRAWAL, AND AMENDMENT.
A. The Compact shall come into effect on the date on which the Compact statute is enacted into law in the tenth Member State. 1. On or after the effective date of the Compact, the Commission shall convene and review the enactment of each of the Charter Member States to determine if the statute enacted by each such Charter Member State is materially different from the model Compact statute.
2. A Charter Member State whose enactment is found to be materially different from the model Compact statute shall be entitled to the default process set forth in 504 Article X.
3. Member States enacting the Compact subsequent to the Charter Member States shall be subject to the process set forth in Article VII.C.20 to determine if their enactments are materially different from the model Compact statute and whether they qualify for participation in the Compact.
B. If any Member State is later found to be in default, or is terminated or withdraws from the Compact, the Commission shall remain in existence and the Compact shall remain in effect even if the number of Member States should be less than ten (10).
C. Any state that joins the Compact after the Commission's initial adoption of the rules and bylaws shall be subject to the rules and bylaws as they exist on the date on which the Compact becomes law in that state. Any rule that has been previously adopted by the Commission shall have the full force and effect of law on the day the Compact becomes law in that state, as the rules and bylaws may be amended as provided in this Compact.
D. Any Member State may withdraw from this Compact by enacting a statute repealing the same.
1. A Member State's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute.
2. Withdrawal shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing state's licensing authority to comply with the investigative and adverse action reporting requirements of this act prior to the effective date of withdrawal.
E. This Compact may be amended by the Member States. No amendment to this Compact shall become effective and binding upon any Member State until it is enacted into the laws of all Member States.
ARTICLE XII.
CONSTRUCTION AND SEVERABILITY.
This Compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes thereof. The provisions of this Compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision of this Compact is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any Member State or a state seeking membership in the Compact, or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any other government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this Compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person, or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this Compact shall be held contrary to the constitution of any Member State, the Compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining Member States and in full force and effect as to the Member State affected as to all severable matters.
ARTICLE XIII.
CONSISTENT EFFECT AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER STATE LAWS.
A. Nothing herein shall prevent or inhibit the enforcement of any other law of a Member State that is not inconsistent with the Compact.
B. Any laws, statutes, regulations, or other legal requirements in a Member State in conflict with the Compact are superseded to the extent of the conflict.
C. All permissible agreements between the Commission and the Member States are binding in accordance with their terms.
SECTION 2. Section 37-3-2, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
37-3-2. (1) There is established within the State Department of Education the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development. It shall be the purpose and duty of the commission to make recommendations to the State Board of Education regarding standards for the certification and licensure and continuing professional development of those who teach or perform tasks of an educational nature in the public schools of Mississippi.
(2) (a) The commission shall be composed of fifteen (15) qualified members. The membership of the commission shall be composed of the following members to be appointed, three (3) from each of the four (4) congressional districts, as such districts existed on January 1, 2011, in accordance with the population calculations determined by the 2010 federal decennial census, including: four (4) classroom teachers; three (3) school administrators; one (1) representative of schools of education of public institutions of higher learning located within the state to be recommended by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning; one (1) representative from the schools of education of independent institutions of higher learning to be recommended by the Board of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges; one (1) representative from public community and junior colleges located within the state to be recommended by the Mississippi Community College Board; one (1) local school board member; and four (4) laypersons. Three (3) members of the commission, at the sole discretion of the State Board of Education, shall be appointed from the state at large.
(b) All appointments shall be made by the State Board of Education after consultation with the State Superintendent of Public Education. The first appointments by the State Board of Education shall be made as follows: five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year; five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; and five (5) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years.
(3) The State Board of Education when making appointments shall designate a chairman. The commission shall meet at least once every two (2) months or more often if needed. Members of the commission shall be compensated at a rate of per diem as authorized by Section 25-3-69 and be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses as authorized by Section 25-3-41.
(4) (a) An appropriate staff member of the State Department of Education shall be designated and assigned by the State Superintendent of Public Education to serve as executive secretary and coordinator for the commission. No less than two (2) other appropriate staff members of the State Department of Education shall be designated and assigned by the State Superintendent of Public Education to serve on the staff of the commission.
(b) An Office of Educator Misconduct Evaluations shall be established within the State Department of Education to assist the commission in responding to infractions and violations, and in conducting hearings and enforcing the provisions of subsections (11), (12), (13), (14) and (15) of this section, and violations of the Mississippi Educator Code of Ethics.
(5) It shall be the duty of the commission to:
(a) Set standards and criteria, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, for all educator preparation programs in the state;
(b) Recommend to the State Board of Education each year approval or disapproval of each educator preparation program in the state, subject to a process and schedule determined by the State Board of Education;
(c) Establish, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, standards for initial teacher certification and licensure in all fields;
(d) Establish, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, standards for the renewal of teacher licenses in all fields;
(e) Review and evaluate objective measures of teacher performance, such as test scores, which may form part of the licensure process, and to make recommendations for their use;
(f) Review all existing requirements for certification and licensure;
(g) Consult with groups whose work may be affected by the commission's decisions;
(h) Prepare reports from time to time on current practices and issues in the general area of teacher education and certification and licensure;
(i) Hold hearings concerning standards for teachers' and administrators' education and certification and licensure with approval of the State Board of Education;
(j) Hire expert consultants with approval of the State Board of Education;
(k) Set up ad hoc committees to advise on specific areas;
(l) Perform such other functions as may fall within their general charge and which may be delegated to them by the State Board of Education; and
(m) Establish standards, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education, for supplemental endorsements, provided that the standards allow teachers as many options as possible to receive a supplemental endorsement, including, but not limited to, the option of taking additional coursework or earning at least the minimum qualifying score or higher on the required licensure subject assessment relevant to the endorsement area for which the licensure is sought. The subject assessment option shall not apply to certain subject areas, including, but not limited to, Early/Primary Education PreK-3, Elementary Education, or Special Education, except by special approval by the State Board of Education.
(6) (a) Standard License - Approved Program Route. An educator entering the school system of Mississippi for the first time and meeting all requirements as established by the State Board of Education shall be granted a standard five-year license. Persons who possess two (2) years of classroom experience as an assistant teacher or who have taught for one (1) year in an accredited public or private school shall be allowed to fulfill student teaching requirements under the supervision of a qualified participating teacher approved by an accredited college of education. The local school district in which the assistant teacher is employed shall compensate such assistant teachers at the required salary level during the period of time such individual is completing student teaching requirements. Applicants for a standard license shall submit to the department:
(i) An application on a department form;
(ii) An official transcript of completion of a teacher education program approved by the department or a nationally accredited program, subject to the following: Licensure to teach in Mississippi prekindergarten through kindergarten classrooms shall require completion of a teacher education program or a Bachelor of Science degree with child development emphasis from a program accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) or by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) or by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Licensure to teach in Mississippi kindergarten, for those applicants who have completed a teacher education program, and in Grade 1 through Grade 4 shall require the completion of an interdisciplinary program of studies. Licenses for Grades 4 through 8 shall require the completion of an interdisciplinary program of studies with two (2) or more areas of concentration. Licensure to teach in Mississippi Grades 7 through 12 shall require a major in an academic field other than education, or a combination of disciplines other than education. Students preparing to teach a subject shall complete a major in the respective subject discipline. All applicants for standard licensure shall demonstrate that such person's college preparation in those fields was in accordance with the standards set forth by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) or, for those applicants who have a Bachelor of Science degree with child development emphasis, the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Effective July 1, 2016, for initial elementary education licensure, a teacher candidate must earn a passing score on a rigorous test of scientifically research-based reading instruction and intervention and data-based decision-making principles as approved by the State Board of Education;
(iii) A copy of test scores evidencing satisfactory completion of nationally administered examinations of achievement, such as the Educational Testing Service's teacher testing examinations;
(iv) Any other document required by the State Board of Education; and
(v) From and after July 1, 2020, no teacher candidate shall be licensed to teach in Mississippi who did not meet the following criteria for entrance into an approved teacher education program:
1. An ACT Score of twenty-one (21) (or SAT equivalent); or
2. Achieve a qualifying passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination as established by the State Board of Education; or
3. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on coursework prior to admission to an approved teacher education program.
(b) (i) Standard License - Nontraditional Teaching Route. From and after July 1, 2020, no teacher candidate shall be licensed to teach in Mississippi under the alternate route who did not meet the following criteria:
1. An ACT Score of twenty-one (21) (or SAT equivalent); or
2. Achieve a qualifying passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination as established by the State Board of Education; or
3. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on coursework prior to admission to an approved teacher education program.
(ii) Beginning July 1, 2020, an individual who has attained a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators or an ACT Score of twenty-one (21) (or SAT equivalent) or a minimum GPA of 3.0 on coursework prior to admission to an approved teacher education program and a passing score on the Praxis Subject Assessment in the requested area of endorsement may apply for admission to the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program to teach students in Grades 7 through 12 if the individual meets the requirements of this paragraph (b). The State Board of Education shall adopt rules requiring that teacher preparation institutions which provide the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program for the preparation of nontraditional teachers shall meet the standards and comply with the provisions of this paragraph.
1. The Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) shall include an intensive eight-week, nine-semester-hour summer program or a curriculum of study in which the student matriculates in the fall or spring semester, which shall include, but not be limited to, instruction in education, effective teaching strategies, classroom management, state curriculum requirements, planning and instruction, instructional methods and pedagogy, using test results to improve instruction, and a one (1) semester three-hour supervised internship to be completed while the teacher is employed as a full-time teacher intern in a local school district. The TMI shall be implemented on a pilot program basis, with courses to be offered at up to four (4) locations in the state, with one (1) TMI site to be located in each of the three (3) Mississippi Supreme Court districts.
2. The school sponsoring the teacher intern shall enter into a written agreement with the institution providing the Teach Mississippi Institute (TMI) program, under terms and conditions as agreed upon by the contracting parties, providing that the school district shall provide teacher interns seeking a nontraditional provisional teaching license with a one-year classroom teaching experience. The teacher intern shall successfully complete the one (1) semester three-hour intensive internship in the school district during the semester immediately following successful completion of the TMI and prior to the end of the one-year classroom teaching experience.
3. Upon completion of the nine-semester-hour TMI or the fall or spring semester option, the individual shall submit his transcript to the commission for provisional licensure of the intern teacher, and the intern teacher shall be issued a provisional teaching license by the commission, which will allow the individual to legally serve as a teacher while the person completes a nontraditional teacher preparation internship program.
4. During the semester of internship in the school district, the teacher preparation institution shall monitor the performance of the intern teacher. The school district that employs the provisional teacher shall supervise the provisional teacher during the teacher's intern year of employment under a nontraditional provisional license, and shall, in consultation with the teacher intern's mentor at the school district of employment, submit to the commission a comprehensive evaluation of the teacher's performance sixty (60) days prior to the expiration of the nontraditional provisional license. If the comprehensive evaluation establishes that the provisional teacher intern's performance fails to meet the standards of the approved nontraditional teacher preparation internship program, the individual shall not be approved for a standard license.
5. An individual issued a provisional teaching license under this nontraditional route shall successfully complete, at a minimum, a one-year beginning teacher mentoring and induction program administered by the employing school district with the assistance of the State Department of Education.
6. Upon successful completion of the TMI and the internship provisional license period, applicants for a Standard License - Nontraditional Route shall submit to the commission a transcript of successful completion of the twelve (12) semester hours required in the internship program, and the employing school district shall submit to the commission a recommendation for standard licensure of the intern. If the school district recommends licensure, the applicant shall be issued a Standard License - Nontraditional Route which shall be valid for a five-year period and be renewable.
7. At the discretion of the teacher preparation institution, the individual shall be allowed to credit the twelve (12) semester hours earned in the nontraditional teacher internship program toward the graduate hours required for a Master of Arts in Teacher (MAT) Degree.
8. The local school district in which the nontraditional teacher intern or provisional licensee is employed shall compensate such teacher interns at Step 1 of the required salary level during the period of time such individual is completing teacher internship requirements and shall compensate such Standard License - Nontraditional Route teachers at Step 3 of the required salary level when they complete license requirements.
(iii) Implementation of the TMI program provided for under this paragraph (b) shall be contingent upon the availability of funds appropriated specifically for such purpose by the Legislature. Such implementation of the TMI program may not be deemed to prohibit the State Board of Education from developing and implementing additional alternative route teacher licensure programs, as deemed appropriate by the board. The emergency certification program in effect prior to July 1, 2002, shall remain in effect.
(iv) A Standard License - Approved Program Route shall be issued for a five-year period, and may be renewed. Recognizing teaching as a profession, a hiring preference shall be granted to persons holding a Standard License - Approved Program Route or Standard License - Nontraditional Teaching Route over persons holding any other license.
(c) Special License - Expert Citizen. In order to allow a school district to offer specialized or technical courses, the State Department of Education, in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board of Education, may grant a five-year expert citizen-teacher license to local business or other professional personnel to teach in a public school or nonpublic school accredited or approved by the state. Such person shall be required to have a high school diploma, an industry-recognized certification related to the subject area in which they are teaching and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience but shall not be required to hold an associate or bachelor's degree, provided that he or she possesses the minimum qualifications required for his or her profession, and may begin teaching upon his employment by the local school board and licensure by the Mississippi Department of Education. If a school board hires a career technical education pathway instructor who does not have an industry certification in his or her area of expertise but does have the required experience, the school board shall spread their decision on the minutes at their next meeting and provide a detailed explanation for why they hired the instructor. Such instructor shall present the minutes of the school board to the State Department of Education when he or she applies for an expert citizen license. The board shall adopt rules and regulations to administer the expert citizen-teacher license. A Special License - Expert Citizen may be renewed in accordance with the established rules and regulations of the State Department of Education.
(d) Special License - Nonrenewable. The State Board of Education is authorized to establish rules and regulations to allow those educators not meeting requirements in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of this subsection (6) to be licensed for a period of not more than three (3) years, except by special approval of the State Board of Education.
(e) Nonlicensed Teaching Personnel. A nonlicensed person may teach for a maximum of three (3) periods per teaching day in a public school district or a nonpublic school accredited/approved by the state. Such person shall submit to the department a transcript or record of his education and experience which substantiates his preparation for the subject to be taught and shall meet other qualifications specified by the commission and approved by the State Board of Education. In no case shall any local school board hire nonlicensed personnel as authorized under this paragraph in excess of five percent (5%) of the total number of licensed personnel in any single school.
(f) Special License - Transitional Bilingual Education. Beginning July 1, 2003, the commission shall grant special licenses to teachers of transitional bilingual education who possess such qualifications as are prescribed in this section. Teachers of transitional bilingual education shall be compensated by local school boards at not less than one (1) step on the regular salary schedule applicable to permanent teachers licensed under this section. The commission shall grant special licenses to teachers of transitional bilingual education who present the commission with satisfactory evidence that they (i) possess a speaking and reading ability in a language, other than English, in which bilingual education is offered and communicative skills in English; (ii) are in good health and sound moral character; (iii) possess a bachelor's degree or an associate's degree in teacher education from an accredited institution of higher education; (iv) meet such requirements as to courses of study, semester hours therein, experience and training as may be required by the commission; and (v) are legally present in the United States and possess legal authorization for employment. A teacher of transitional bilingual education serving under a special license shall be under an exemption from standard licensure if he achieves the requisite qualifications therefor. Two (2) years of service by a teacher of transitional bilingual education under such an exemption shall be credited to the teacher in acquiring a Standard Educator License. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to prohibit a local school board from employing a teacher licensed in an appropriate field as approved by the State Department of Education to teach in a program in transitional bilingual education.
(g) In the event any school district meets the highest accreditation standards as defined by the State Board of Education in the accountability system, the State Board of Education, in its discretion, may exempt such school district from any restrictions in paragraph (e) relating to the employment of nonlicensed teaching personnel.
(h) Highly Qualified Teachers. Beginning July 1, 2006, any teacher from any state meeting the federal definition of highly qualified, as described in the No Child Left Behind Act, must be granted a standard five-year license by the State Department of Education.
(7) Administrator License. The State Board of Education is authorized to establish rules and regulations and to administer the licensure process of the school administrators in the State of Mississippi. There will be four (4) categories of administrator licensure with exceptions only through special approval of the State Board of Education.
(a) Administrator License - Nonpracticing. Those educators holding administrative endorsement but having no administrative experience or not serving in an administrative position on January 15, 1997.
(b) Administrator License - Entry Level. Those educators holding administrative endorsement and having met the department's qualifications to be eligible for employment in a Mississippi school district. Administrator License - Entry Level shall be issued for a five-year period and shall be nonrenewable.
(c) Standard Administrator License - Career Level. An administrator who has met all the requirements of the department for standard administrator licensure.
(d) Administrator License - Nontraditional Route. The board may establish a nontraditional route for licensing administrative personnel. Such nontraditional route for administrative licensure shall be available for persons holding, but not limited to, a master of business administration degree, a master of public administration degree, a master of public planning and policy degree or a doctor of jurisprudence degree from an accredited college or university, with five (5) years of administrative or supervisory experience. Successful completion of the requirements of alternate route licensure for administrators shall qualify the person for a standard administrator license.
Individuals seeking school administrator licensure under paragraph (b), (c) or (d) shall successfully complete a training program and an assessment process prescribed by the State Board of Education. All applicants for school administrator licensure shall meet all requirements prescribed by the department under paragraph (b), (c) or (d), and the cost of the assessment process required shall be paid by the applicant.
(8) Reciprocity. The department shall grant a standard five-year license to any individual who possesses a valid standard license from another state, or another country or political subdivision thereof, within a period of twenty-one (21) days from the date of a completed application. The issuance of a license by reciprocity to a military-trained applicant, military spouse or person who establishes residence in this state shall be subject to the provisions of Section 73-50-1 or 73-50-2, as applicable. The department shall comply with the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. Upon the receipt of an application for licensure by a teacher holding an unencumbered eligible license in accordance with the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, the department shall determine which of the eligible licenses the teacher is qualified to hold and shall grant such a license or licenses to the applicant if the applicant is eligible.
(9) Renewal and Reinstatement of Licenses. The State Board of Education is authorized to establish rules and regulations for the renewal and reinstatement of educator and administrator licenses. Effective May 15, 1997, the valid standard license held by an educator shall be extended five (5) years beyond the expiration date of the license in order to afford the educator adequate time to fulfill new renewal requirements established pursuant to this subsection. An educator completing a master of education, educational specialist or doctor of education degree in May 1997 for the purpose of upgrading the educator's license to a higher class shall be given this extension of five (5) years plus five (5) additional years for completion of a higher degree. For all license types with a current valid expiration date of June 30, 2021, the State Department of Education shall grant a one-year extension to June 30, 2022. Beginning July 1, 2022, and thereafter, applicants for licensure renewal shall meet all requirements in effect on the date that the complete application is received by the State Department of Education.
(10) All controversies involving the issuance, revocation, suspension or any change whatsoever in the licensure of an educator required to hold a license shall be initially heard in a hearing de novo, by the commission or by a subcommittee established by the commission and composed of commission members, or by a hearing officer retained and appointed by the commission, for the purpose of holding hearings. Any complaint seeking the denial of issuance, revocation or suspension of a license shall be by sworn affidavit filed with the Commission on Teacher and Administrator Education, Certification and Licensure and Development. The decision thereon by the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer, shall be final, unless the aggrieved party shall appeal to the State Board of Education, within ten (10) days, of the decision of the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer. An appeal to the State Board of Education shall be perfected upon filing a notice of the appeal and by the prepayment of the costs of the preparation of the record of proceedings by the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer. An appeal shall be on the record previously made before the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer, unless otherwise provided by rules and regulations adopted by the board. The decision of the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer shall not be disturbed on appeal if supported by substantial evidence, was not arbitrary or capricious, within the authority of the commission, and did not violate some statutory or constitutional right. The State Board of Education in its authority may reverse, or remand with instructions, the decision of the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer. The decision of the State Board of Education shall be final.
(11) (a) The State Board of Education, acting through the commission, may deny an application for any teacher or administrator license for one or more of the following:
(i) Lack of qualifications which are prescribed by law or regulations adopted by the State Board of Education;
(ii) The applicant has a physical, emotional or mental disability that renders the applicant unfit to perform the duties authorized by the license, as certified by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist;
(iii) The applicant is actively addicted to or actively dependent on alcohol or other habit-forming drugs or is a habitual user of narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens or other drugs having similar effect, at the time of application for a license;
(iv) Fraud or deceit committed by the applicant in securing or attempting to secure such certification and license;
(v) Failing or refusing to furnish reasonable evidence of identification;
(vi) The applicant has been convicted, has pled guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere to a felony, as defined by federal or state law. For purposes of this subparagraph (vi) of this paragraph (a), a "guilty plea" includes a plea of guilty, entry of a plea of nolo contendere, or entry of an order granting pretrial or judicial diversion;
(vii) The applicant or licensee is on probation or post-release supervision for a felony or conviction, as defined by federal or state law. However, this disqualification expires upon the end of the probationary or post-release supervision period.
(b) The State Board of Education, acting through the commission, shall deny an application for any teacher or administrator license, or immediately revoke the current teacher or administrator license, for one or more of the following:
(i) If the applicant or licensee has been convicted, has pled guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere to a sex offense as defined by federal or state law. For purposes of this subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b), a "guilty plea" includes a plea of guilty, entry of a plea of nolo contendere, or entry of an order granting pretrial or judicial diversion;
(ii) The applicant or licensee is on probation or post-release supervision for a sex offense conviction, as defined by federal or state law;
(iii) The license holder has fondled a student as described in Section 97-5-23, or had any type of sexual involvement with a student as described in Section 97-3-95; or
(iv) The license holder has failed to report sexual involvement of a school employee with a student as required by Section 97-5-24.
(12) The State Board of Education, acting through the commission, may revoke, suspend or refuse to renew any teacher or administrator license for specified periods of time or may place on probation, reprimand a licensee, or take other disciplinary action with regard to any license issued under this chapter for one or more of the following:
(a) Breach of contract or abandonment of employment may result in the suspension of the license for one (1) school year as provided in Section 37-9-57;
(b) Obtaining a license by fraudulent means shall result in immediate suspension and continued suspension for one (1) year after correction is made;
(c) Suspension or revocation of a certificate or license by another state shall result in immediate suspension or revocation and shall continue until records in the prior state have been cleared;
(d) The license holder has been convicted, has pled guilty or entered a plea of nolo contendere to a felony, as defined by federal or state law. For purposes of this paragraph, a "guilty plea" includes a plea of guilty, entry of a plea of nolo contendere, or entry of an order granting pretrial or judicial diversion;
(e) The license holder knowingly and willfully committing any of the acts affecting validity of mandatory uniform test results as provided in Section 37-16-4(1);
(f) The license holder has engaged in unethical conduct relating to an educator/student relationship as identified by the State Board of Education in its rules;
(g) The license holder served as superintendent or principal in a school district during the time preceding and/or that resulted in the Governor declaring a state of emergency and the State Board of Education appointing a conservator;
(h) The license holder submitted a false certification to the State Department of Education that a statewide test was administered in strict accordance with the Requirements of the Mississippi Statewide Assessment System; or
(i) The license holder has failed to comply with the Procedures for Reporting Infractions as promulgated by the commission and approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection (15) of this section.
For purposes of this subsection, probation shall be defined as a length of time determined by the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer, and based on the severity of the offense in which the license holder shall meet certain requirements as prescribed by the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer. Failure to complete the requirements in the time specified shall result in immediate suspension of the license for one (1) year.
(13) (a) Dismissal or suspension of a licensed employee by a local school board pursuant to Section 37-9-59 may result in the suspension or revocation of a license for a length of time which shall be determined by the commission and based upon the severity of the offense.
(b) Any offense committed or attempted in any other state shall result in the same penalty as if committed or attempted in this state.
(c) A person may voluntarily surrender a license. The surrender of such license may result in the commission recommending any of the above penalties without the necessity of a hearing. However, any such license which has voluntarily been surrendered by a licensed employee may only be reinstated by a majority vote of all members of the commission present at the meeting called for such purpose.
(14) (a) A person whose license has been suspended or surrendered on any grounds except criminal grounds may petition for reinstatement of the license after one (1) year from the date of suspension or surrender, or after one-half (1/2) of the suspended or surrendered time has lapsed, whichever is greater. A person whose license has been suspended or revoked on any grounds or violations under subsection (12) of this section may be reinstated automatically or approved for a reinstatement hearing, upon submission of a written request to the commission. A license suspended, revoked or surrendered on criminal grounds may be reinstated upon petition to the commission filed after expiration of the sentence and parole or probationary period imposed upon conviction. A revoked, suspended or surrendered license may be reinstated upon satisfactory showing of evidence of rehabilitation. The commission shall require all who petition for reinstatement to furnish evidence satisfactory to the commission of good character, good mental, emotional and physical health and such other evidence as the commission may deem necessary to establish the petitioner's rehabilitation and fitness to perform the duties authorized by the license.
(b) A person whose license expires while under investigation by the Office of Educator Misconduct for an alleged violation may not be reinstated without a hearing before the commission if required based on the results of the investigation.
(15) Reporting procedures and hearing procedures for dealing with infractions under this section shall be promulgated by the commission, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education. The revocation or suspension of a license shall be effected at the time indicated on the notice of suspension or revocation. The commission shall immediately notify the superintendent of the school district or school board where the teacher or administrator is employed of any disciplinary action and also notify the teacher or administrator of such revocation or suspension and shall maintain records of action taken. The State Board of Education may reverse or remand with instructions any decision of the commission, its subcommittee or hearing officer regarding a petition for reinstatement of a license, and any such decision of the State Board of Education shall be final.
(16) An appeal from the action of the State Board of Education in denying an application, revoking or suspending a license or otherwise disciplining any person under the provisions of this section shall be filed in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, on the record made, including a verbatim transcript of the testimony at the hearing. The appeal shall be filed within thirty (30) days after notification of the action of the board is mailed or served and the proceedings in chancery court shall be conducted as other matters coming before the court. The appeal shall be perfected upon filing notice of the appeal and by the prepayment of all costs, including the cost of preparation of the record of the proceedings by the State Board of Education, and the filing of a bond in the sum of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) conditioned that if the action of the board be affirmed by the chancery court, the applicant or license holder shall pay the costs of the appeal and the action of the chancery court.
(17) All such programs, rules, regulations, standards and criteria recommended or authorized by the commission shall become effective upon approval by the State Board of Education as designated by appropriate orders entered upon the minutes thereof.
(18) The granting of a license shall not be deemed a property right nor a guarantee of employment in any public school district. A license is a privilege indicating minimal eligibility for teaching in the public school districts of Mississippi. This section shall in no way alter or abridge the authority of local school districts to require greater qualifications or standards of performance as a prerequisite of initial or continued employment in such districts.
(19) In addition to the reasons specified in subsections (12) and (13) of this section, the board shall be authorized to suspend the license of any licensee for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. Actions taken by the board in suspending a license when required by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 are not actions from which an appeal may be taken under this section. Any appeal of a license suspension that is required by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 shall be taken in accordance with the appeal procedure specified in Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, rather than the procedure specified in this section. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
(20) The Department of Education shall grant and renew all licenses and certifications of teachers and administrators within twenty-one (21) days from the date of a completed application if the applicant has otherwise met all established requirements for the license or certification.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.