BILL REQ. #:  S-3959.1 

Read first time 01/10/2006.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to assistance for teachers pursuing national board certification; and adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
     (1) "Eligible teacher" means an individual currently employed as a teacher in a Washington public school district and eligible for national board certification candidacy from the national board for professional teaching standards.
     (2) "National board certification" means certification from the national board for professional teaching standards.
     (3) "Participant" means an eligible teacher who has received a zero interest loan under this chapter.
     (4) "Program" means the zero interest loans to obtain national board certification program.
     (5) "Superintendent" means the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The zero interest loans to obtain national board certification program is established. The program shall be administered by the superintendent. In administering the program, the superintendent shall:
     (1) Select eligible teachers to receive loans;
     (2) Adopt necessary rules and guidelines;
     (3) Publicize the program;
     (4) Collect and manage repayments from eligible teachers; and
     (5) Solicit and accept grants and donations from public and private sources for the program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The superintendent shall design the program based on the following parameters:
     (1) Loans shall be made to eligible teachers currently teaching in a Washington public school district.
     (2) Zero interest loans are not intended to supplant any grant, scholarship, or tax program related to national board certification. If the superintendent finds that zero interest loans supplant or reduce any grant, scholarship, or tax program for categories of eligible teachers, then the superintendent shall adjust the amount of the loan to the level necessary to avoid supplanting.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The superintendent may provide zero interest loans to eligible teachers from the funds appropriated to the superintendent for this purpose, or from any private donations, or any other funds given to the superintendent for this program. The amount loaned to an individual may not exceed the amount of the national board certification application fee. Participants are eligible to receive additional zero interest loans to cover national board certification retake fees.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   (1) Participants in the program incur an obligation to repay the loan upon completion of the national board certification program or two years after they receive a loan under this chapter, whichever is earlier.
     (2) Participants who fail to complete the program must repay their loan beginning no later than two years after they first received the loan.
     (3) The minimum payment shall be set by the superintendent. The maximum period for repayment shall be ten years, with payments of principal and interest accruing quarterly commencing six months from the date the participant completes or discontinues the program. Provisions for deferral of payment shall be determined by the superintendent.
     (4) The superintendent is responsible for collection of repayments made under this section and shall exercise due diligence in such collection, maintaining all necessary records to ensure that maximum repayments are made. Collection and servicing of repayments under this section shall be pursued using the full extent of the law, including wage garnishment if necessary.
     (5) Receipts from the payment of principal or any other subsidies to which the superintendent as administrator is entitled, which are paid by or on behalf of participants under this section, shall be deposited in the zero interest loans for national board certification account and shall be used to cover the costs of granting the loans, maintaining necessary records, and making collections under subsection (4) of this section. The superintendent shall maintain accurate records of these costs, and all receipts beyond those necessary to pay such costs shall be used to grant loans to eligible teachers.
     (6) The superintendent shall adopt rules to define the terms of repayment, including fees and deferments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   (1) The zero interest loans for national board certification account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. An appropriation is not required for expenditures of funds from the account. The account is not subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW except for moneys used for program administration.
     (2) The superintendent shall deposit in the account all moneys received for the program. The account shall be self-sustaining and consist of funds appropriated by the legislature for the program, private contributions to the program, and receipts from participant repayments.
     (3) Expenditures from the account may be used solely for zero interest loans to participants in the program and costs associated with program administration by the superintendent.
     (4) Disbursements from the account may be made only on the authorization of the superintendent.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28A RCW.