Bill > S1048

This bill extends a provision allowing retired teachers in Rhode Island to substitute teach beyond the standard 90-day post-retirement employment limit, increasing the maximum to 180 days per school year under specific conditions. Local education authorities (LEAs) can request retired teachers to exceed the 90-day cap if they have a specialized staffing need and cannot find a non-retired employee to fill the position. The bill requires the LEA to make a good-faith effort to hire a non-retired teacher, notify the state retirement board, and provide details about their certified teacher positions. The number of retired teachers hired under this provision is limited to 5% of the total certified teacher positions. Retired teachers employed under this provision will not receive additional service credits and are not required to contribute to the pension system, though the employer must make contributions. There is still an initial 90-day restriction in the first year after retirement, and the provision is set to sunset on August 1, 2026, or one year after enactment, whichever comes first. The bill is retroactive to June 20, 2025, and aims to help address teacher staffing shortages by providing more flexibility for employing retired teachers.

Budget and Finance

https://status.rilegislature.gov/