H97 - 2015 Appropriations Act, Sec. 8.40: Department of Public Instruction Report on the Educator Licensure Processing System (SL 2015-241)

Overview: Sec. 8.40 of S.L. 2015-241 provides that by October 15, 2016, the Department of Public Instruction must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee regarding the operation of the educator licensure processing system, including implementation of the electronic processing of applications. The report must include at least the following information:

• The estimated processing time from receipt of application to issuance of license in each category of licensure, and comparative data related to the processing of licenses in each licensure category prior to August 1, 2015.
• The schedule of licensure fees and services, including any changes in the prior year made to the fee amounts or services for which fees are charged.
• Any backlog of the processing of applications existing at the time of the report, including the categories of licensure experiencing such backlog.
• Data from the prior year: (i) number of applications received and transactions completed; (ii) number of newly licensed educators; (iii) number of licensure renewals; (iv) demographic information regarding currently licensed educators; (v) number of licenses issued by area and type of licensure; and (vi) number of initial licenses in specified areas.

This section became effective July 1, 2015.