HB 204: Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program Amendments - Utah

Amended Excerpts 2/3/2025 11:02:466 → Amended 2/3/2025 11:02:466 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program to expand eligibility for student teachers regardless of their institution, add restrictions on receiving other state funding, and create a new Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account for one-time funding. The changes aim to increase access to educator stipends while ensuring funds are used effectively and sustainably.

Scope change

Expanded eligibility to include student teachers from any institution (public, private, or out-of-state) and added a new restricted account for public education funding.

ELIGIBILITY

Student teachers are now eligible for grants regardless of whether they attend a state institution, public/private institution, or out-of-state institution.

Added requirement that student teachers must not receive funding from other state programs, including the Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program.

FISCAL

Created a new Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account funded by 15% of the difference between estimated and actual revenue, capped at 11% of Uniform School Fund appropriations.

DEFINITION

Updated definition of eligible student teacher to require pursuit of a Utah professional level educator license and added clarification about license requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for state board to annually report anticipated cost of one-time appropriations to the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/3/2025 11:02:466 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program to clarify eligibility criteria and add restrictions on compensation sources. The changes ensure student teachers are eligible regardless of their institution type while limiting funding if they receive support from other state programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program, but eligibility criteria have been refined to be clearer about where student teachers can be enrolled and what compensation restrictions apply.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that student teachers are eligible regardless of whether they attend a state institution or another public/private institution within or outside Utah.

Added requirement that student teachers must work within Utah state boundaries as full-time student teachers to meet program requirements.

Restructured the compensation restriction section to clarify that student teachers cannot receive compensation from LEAs (except as substitutes or in extracurricular activities), work service programs, or the Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program.

Added 'athletic coach' as an exception to the compensation restriction for substitute teacher or extracurricular activity work.

TECHNICAL

Made minor formatting and punctuation adjustments to improve clarity and consistency throughout the section.

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 26, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends the Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program and the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account in Utah. The changes expand eligibility for student teachers regardless of where they are enrolled, add a requirement for student teachers to sign an affidavit of intent to work in Utah, and modify compensation restrictions to include extracurricular activities. The bill also updates reporting requirements and technical provisions related to funding thresholds and budget preparation.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of eligible student teachers to include those enrolled at out-of-state institutions and adds a new affidavit requirement for all applicants.

ELIGIBILITY

Student teachers are now eligible for the grant program regardless of whether they are enrolled at a state institution or another public or private institution within or outside the state.

The compensation restriction for student teachers working at an LEA was expanded to include extracurricular activities in addition to substitute teaching or athletic coaching.

REQUIREMENT

Student teachers must now sign an affidavit demonstrating their intent to work in Utah and pursue a Utah professional level educator license.

TECHNICAL

The bill includes technical changes to formatting and references in the Utah Code sections.

Stipends for Future Educators Grant Program Amendments

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