SF482

Senate File No. 482 is a bill that seeks to extend the short-call substitute teacher pilot program in Minnesota. This program allows school districts or charter schools and applicants to request that the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board approve applications for short-call substitute teaching licenses. These licenses can be issued to individuals with at least an associate degree or equivalent who receive substitute training, or those with a high school diploma or equivalent who have worked as educational support personnel or paraprofessionals for at least one year in the district or school.

The bill mandates that background checks are completed in accordance with existing laws. The board may issue temporary licenses while waiting for background check results, but can suspend or revoke licenses based on the information received from these checks.

The bill also emphasizes that school districts or charter schools must provide substitute teacher training for those licensed through this pilot program and are prohibited from requiring employees to apply for a license or retaliating against those who choose not to. Substitute teachers under the program are guaranteed a payment of either $200 per day or their regular pay rate, whichever is higher. Finally, this bill proposes to extend the expiration date of the pilot program to June 30, 2027.