SCH CD-LAPSED CERTIFICATES

Amends the Certification of Teachers Article of the School Code. Changes provisions concerning the reinstatement of a lapsed certificate by providing that lapsed certificates may be immediately reinstated upon payment by the applicant to the State Board of Education of (1) any and all back fees, including without limitation registration fees, owed from the time of expiration of the certificate until the date of reinstatement; and (2) a $500 penalty or the demonstration of proficiency by completing 9 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the content area that most aligns with the educator's endorsement area or areas; provided that, until September 1, 2012, certificates that have lapsed solely for the failure to pay a registration fee may be immediately reinstated upon payment only of any and all back fees, including without limitation registration fees, owed from the time of expiration of the certificate until the date of reinstatement. Provides that any and all back fees and penalty amounts shall be deposited by the State Board of Education into the Teacher Certificate Fee Revolving Fund. Effective immediately.