Bill > HF2458

Introduced Session

This bill establishes the teacher and para-educator grant program within the department of workforce development. The bill requires the department of workforce development to develop and administer the teacher and para-educator grant program to provide grants to two types of individuals: individuals who are currently enrolled in a high school in this state to offset the costs associated with obtaining a para-educator certificate from the board of educational examiners (BOEE) and an associate degree, and individuals who currently hold a para-educator certificate issued by the BOEE to offset the costs associated with obtaining a bachelor’s degree. The bill requires the department of workforce development, in consultation with the department of education, to adopt rules to administer the teacher and para-educator grant program. The bill appropriates $3.5 million from the general fund of the state to the department of workforce development for FY 2026-2027 for purposes of the program. Current law requires that a student be credited a minimum of 1 week, but not more than 10 weeks, of prior work experience as a substitute teacher or para-educator toward the requirements associated with the 14-week student teaching experience. The bill provides that prior experience under the teacher and para-educator grant program qualifies as such prior work experience.

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Committee Categories

Daniel Gosa (D)*,  Bob Kressig (D)*,  Mary Madison (D)*,  Larry McBurney (D)*,  Brian Meyer (D)*,  Ross Wilburn (D)*, 

Introduced, referred to Labor and Workforce. H.J. 292. (on 02/16/2026)

Official Document