SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2594

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 2, 2022

     The Senate Education Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 2594 with committee amendments.

     As amended, this bill requires the State Board of Education to authorize an alternative means for teaching candidates to secure employment as a teacher with a school district while awaiting the issuance of a certificate of eligibility or certificate of eligibility with advanced standing from the Department of Education. 

     The board would be required to allow a candidate for a certificate to submit to a hiring district a signed affidavit affirming that applicable certification requirements have been met as part of the candidate’s application for employment with the hiring district.  A candidate who submits an affidavit pursuant to this bill would be required to provide accompanying documentation demonstrating that the candidate has applied for a certificate with the department.  In the event that a candidate submits a signed affidavit in good faith and subsequently learned that the certification process is incomplete, the candidate will not be liable to reimburse the district for salary or benefits received.

     Within 90 days from the date an affidavit has been submitted to a hiring district, a candidate would be required to provide confirmation to the hiring district that a certificate has been issued by the department.  A hiring district would be required to terminate a candidate who does not provide confirmation to the district that a certificate has been issued or has been found to have misrepresented information provided on the affidavit.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to stipulate that a candidate that has submitted a signed affidavit in good faith, and subsequently learns that the certification application is incomplete, will not be liable to reimburse the district for salary or benefits received.