House Bill 25-1307

BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Luck and Carter, Bacon, Bradley, Hamrick, Martinez, Phillips;

also SENATOR(S) Ball and Rich, Bridges, Jodeh, Kirkmeyer, Kolker.

Concerning updating technical references in education law.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.3-201, add (5.5) as follows:

22-60.3-201.  Definitions. As used in this part 2, unless the context otherwise requires:

(5.5)  "Paraprofessional" means a person who is trained to assist a licensed teacher.

SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.3-204, amend (2)(b)(II) as follows:

22-60.3-204.  Program eligibility - financial assistance - funding - report. (2)  The department shall review each application received and determine whether the applicant meets the following criteria for participation in the program:

(b) (II)  The applicant is currently employed as a paraprofessional as defined in section 22-60.3-102, in a school district, charter school, or board of cooperative services and is working toward a baccalaureate degree as required to pursue a professional teaching license; or

SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-209.1, amend (1)(a)(III); and repeal (1)(a)(II) as follows:

22-60.5-209.1.  Department of education - adjunct instructor authorization - alternative teacher programs - information. (1) (a)  The department shall direct resources toward publicizing the existence of:

(II)  The teacher residency programs available through the teacher residency expansion program created in part 1 of article 60.3 of this title 22;

(III)  Programs to support paraprofessionals, as defined in section 22-60.3-102section 22-60.3-201, who are seeking a baccalaureate degree to pursue a professional teaching license;

SECTION 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:

24-51-1101.  Employment after service retirement - report - definitions - repeal. (1.9) (a) (I)  Subject to the provisions of subsection (1.9)(h) of this section, a service retiree who is a superintendent, a principal, a teacher, a school bus driver, a school food services cook, a school nurse, or a paraprofessional, as defined in section 22-60.3-102 (9)section 22-60.3-201, and is hired pursuant to subsection (1.9)(b) of this section by an employer in the school division of the association that satisfies the criteria specified in subsection (1.9)(a)(II) of this section may receive salary without reduction in benefits for any length of employment in a calendar year if the service retiree has not worked for anyan employer, as defined in section 24-51-101 (20), during the month of the effective date of retirement. A service retiree described in this subsection (1.9)(a) who works for anyan employer, as defined in section 24-51-101 (20), during the month of the effective date of retirement shall beis subject to a reduction in benefits as provided in section 24-51-1102 (2).

(II)  The provisions of this subsection (1.9) apply only if:

(B)  The school district, board of cooperative services, or charter school hires the service retiree for the purpose of providing classroom instruction or school bus transportation to students enrolled by the district, enrolled by one or more of the districts served by the board of cooperative services, or enrolled by the charter school, or for the purpose of being a superintendent, a principal, a school food services cook, a school nurse, or a paraprofessional, as defined in section 22-60.3-102 (9)section 22-60.3-201; and

(C)  The school district, board of cooperative services, or charter school determines that there is a critical shortage of qualified superintendents, principals, teachers, school bus drivers, school food services cooks, school nurses, or paraprofessionals, as defined in section 22-60.3-102 (9)section 22-60.3-201, as applicable, and that the service retiree has specific experience, skills, or qualifications that would benefit the district, board of cooperative services, or charter school.

SECTION 5.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.