Sec. 21.0444.  TEMPORARY CERTIFICATION FOR CERTAIN MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.  (a)  In this section, "first responder" means a person elected, employed, or appointed as:
(1)  a peace officer as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(2)  fire protection personnel as defined by Section 419.021, Government Code; or
(3)  emergency medical services personnel as defined by Section 773.003, Health and Safety Code.
(b)  This section applies to a person seeking certification to teach career and technology education who:
(1)  has served in the armed forces of the United States and was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty; or
(2)  has served as a first responder and, while in good standing and not because of pending or final disciplinary actions or a documented performance problem, retired, resigned, or separated from employment as a first responder.
(c)  The board shall propose rules under this subchapter providing for the issuance of a temporary certificate to teach career and technology education to a person described by Subsection (b) who meets all other eligibility requirements for standard certification to teach career and technology education, except that the person may substitute for a requirement that the person hold:
(1)  an associate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, 48 months of active duty military service or service as a first responder; or
(2)  a bachelor's degree:
(A)  the military service or service as a first responder described by Subdivision (1); and
(B)  60 semester credit hours completed at a public or private institution of higher education with a minimum grade point average of at least 2.50 on a four-point scale.
(d)  Rules proposed by the board for a temporary certificate issued under this section must provide that the certificate is:
(1)  valid for no more than three years;
(2)  limited to a one-time issuance; and
(3)  not subject to renewal.
(e)  A person issued a temporary certificate under this section may be issued a standard certificate if the person completes all eligibility requirements required for that certification.
(f)  A school district shall require a new employee who holds a temporary certificate issued under this section to obtain at least 20 hours of classroom management training, unless the new employee has documented experience as an instructor or trainer during the employee's required 48 months of active duty military service or service as a first responder.
Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 806 (H.B. 621), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.