Bill Caption

Relating to temporary certification of an educator from outside the state who is the spouse of an active duty military service member.

Fiscal Notes

From the Legislative Budget Board:  a negative impact of ($204,848) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019.

Bill Analysis

HB 1934 would amend the Education Code to require the State Board of Education to establish procedures to expedite the processing of application for an educator certificate by a spouse of a person serving on active duty as member of the U.S. armed forces. Also, a temporary certificate awarded to the spouse would be prohibited from expiring before 3 years from the date the board completes the review of credentials. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

People who are spouses of military members stationed in Texas by the federal government should not have their ability to work in their chosen licensed profession stripped from them for any length of time merely as a consequence of being stationed in Texas. For this reason we support HB 1934 which protects affected teachers' right to work. 

We would like to point out that this benefit should be extended not only to teachers and not only to spouses of military members. We suggest amending HB 1934 to provide for procedures to expedite applications for Texas licensure for all licensed professions regardless of the reasons why a person relocates to Texas. At the very minimum a study should be conducted to determine the feasibility of this.