A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning updating technical references in education law.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov/.)
Statutory Revision Committee. The bill repeals obsolete references to the teacher residency expansion program (program), which was repealed in 2023.
Current law continues to reference the definition for "paraprofessional" as it appeared in the program. The bill recreates the definition of "paraprofessional" for the current statutory uses of the term.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.3-201, add (5.5) as follows:
Page 2, Line 322-60.3-201. Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 4(5.5) "Paraprofessional" means a person who is trained to assist a licensed teacher.
Page 2, Line 5SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.3-204, amend (2)(b)(II) as follows:
Page 2, Line 622-60.3-204. Program eligibility - financial assistance - funding
Page 2, Line 7- report. (2) The department shall review each application received and
Page 2, Line 8determine whether the applicant meets the following criteria for participation in the program:
Page 2, Line 9(b) (II) The applicant is currently employed as a paraprofessional
Page 2, Line 10
as defined in section 22-60.3-102,Page 2, Line 11board of cooperative services and is working toward a baccalaureate degree as required to pursue a professional teaching license; or
Page 2, Line 12SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-209.1, amend (1)(a)(III); and repeal (1)(a)(II) as follows:
Page 2, Line 1322-60.5-209.1. Department of education - adjunct instructor
Page 2, Line 14authorization - alternative teacher programs - information.
Page 2, Line 15(1) (a) The department shall direct resources toward publicizing the existence of:
Page 2, Line 16(II)
The teacher residency programs available through the teacherPage 2, Line 17
residency expansion program created in part 1 of article 60.3 of this title 22;Page 2, Line 18(III) Programs to support paraprofessionals, as defined in
sectionPage 3, Line 1
22-60.3-102Page 3, Line 2SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-51-1101, amend (1.9)(a)(I), (1.9)(a)(II)(B), and (1.9)(a)(II)(C) as follows:
Page 3, Line 324-51-1101. Employment after service retirement - report -
Page 3, Line 4definitions - repeal. (1.9) (a) (I) Subject to
the provisions ofPage 3, Line 5(1.9)(h) of this section, a service retiree who is a superintendent, a
Page 3, Line 6principal, a teacher, a school bus driver, a school food services cook, a
Page 3, Line 7school nurse, or a paraprofessional, as defined in
section 22-60.3-102 (9)Page 3, Line 8section 22-60.3-201, and is hired pursuant to subsection (1.9)(b) of this
Page 3, Line 9section by an employer in the school division of the association that
Page 3, Line 10satisfies the criteria specified in subsection (1.9)(a)(II) of this section may
Page 3, Line 11receive salary without reduction in benefits for any length of employment
Page 3, Line 12in a calendar year if the service retiree has not worked for
anyPage 3, Line 13employer, as defined in section 24-51-101 (20), during the month of the
Page 3, Line 14effective date of retirement. A service retiree described in this subsection
Page 3, Line 15(1.9)(a) who works for
anyPage 3, Line 16(20), during the month of the effective date of retirement
shall bePage 3, Line 17(II) The provisions of this subsection (1.9) apply only if:
Page 3, Line 18(B) The school district, board of cooperative services, or charter
Page 3, Line 19school hires the service retiree for the purpose of providing classroom
Page 3, Line 20instruction or school bus transportation to students enrolled by the district,
Page 3, Line 21enrolled by one or more of the districts served by the board of cooperative
Page 3, Line 22services, or enrolled by the charter school, or for the purpose of being a
Page 3, Line 23superintendent, a principal, a school food services cook, a school nurse,
Page 3, Line 24or a paraprofessional, as defined in
section 22-60.3-102 (9)Page 4, Line 1(C) The school district, board of cooperative services, or charter
Page 4, Line 2school determines that there is a critical shortage of qualified
Page 4, Line 3superintendents, principals, teachers, school bus drivers, school food
Page 4, Line 4services cooks, school nurses, or paraprofessionals, as defined in
sectionPage 4, Line 5
22-60.3-102 (9)Page 4, Line 6retiree has specific experience, skills, or qualifications that would benefit the district, board of cooperative services, or charter school.
Page 4, Line 7SECTION 5. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 4, Line 8takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 4, Line 9ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 4, Line 10that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 4, Line 11of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 4, Line 12act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 4, Line 13effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 4, Line 14November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.