Bill > HR3308

This bill introduces the RETAIN Act (Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act), which aims to address the national shortage of educators by creating a refundable tax credit for early childhood educators, teachers, school leaders, and mental health service providers. The tax credit provides financial incentives for educators who remain in their positions, with increasing credit amounts for each consecutive year of service. Educators can receive between $5,800 and $11,600 per year based on their years of continuous employment, with credits available for up to 20 years of service. To be eligible, educators must work in qualifying schools or early childhood education programs, typically those serving high-need students or in areas with limited educational resources. The bill recognizes the challenges in the education workforce, including low pay (with the median early childhood educator salary at $30,210 and average teacher salary at $72,030), high turnover rates, and the importance of retaining experienced, diverse educators. Additionally, the bill requires the development of a comprehensive data series tracking educator salaries across different regions and education levels, which will be published annually by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The tax credits are set to begin in the 2026 tax year and are designed to supplement, not replace, existing state and local education funding.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3308/all-info