Education (Teachers)

HB 2396 allows retired licensed teachers and non-licensed school staff to return to full-time work without losing retirement benefits, but only in school districts with verified teacher or staff shortages. Retired teachers can teach up to 4 years (max 1% of staff or 5 people), and retired non-licensed staff can work up to 4 years (max 10% of non-licensed staff or 5 people), provided districts first try hiring non-retirees and document a critical shortage. The hiring school district pays the retirement contribution cost, and retirees earn salary matching comparable positions (minus a retirement contribution percentage). This law applies to districts covered by specific retirement systems and requires districts to follow strict hiring steps before employing retirees.