Modifies provisions relating to school employee retirement systems

HB 2091 allows retired classroom teachers and support staff to return to full-time work in Missouri public schools for up to four years without losing their retirement benefits, but only if the school district has a verified shortage of certified staff or noncertified support staff. School districts must first demonstrate they tried to hire non-retired staff (e.g., by posting vacancies for a month and showing insufficient applicants) and declare a critical shortage. The bill limits the number of returning retirees to either 1% of a district’s total staff or five people, whichever is greater. Districts hiring retirees must pay the employer’s retirement contribution rate and include these hires in the State Directory of New Hires for federal verification.