Representative O’Brien’s bill allowing retired teachers to help more in schools passes House
REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM W. O’BRIEN
STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today passed legislation sponsored by Rep. William W. O’Brien to permit retired teachers to substitute teach in a school for up to 120 days in a school year without any loss, forfeiture, or reduction in retirement benefits.
“Our state is facing a significant shortage of qualified teachers and this troubling fact poses a real threat to the quality of education received by some of our state’s students.
This bill will allow seasoned and experienced retired teachers to provide even more support in the classroom to help the dedicated but significantly short-staffed teachers and our students who deserve qualified and quality teachers,” said Representative O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
Currently, retired teachers are only allowed to substitute teach up to 90 days without jeopardizing their retirement benefits.
The bill (2023-H 5040aa) would allow the extended time period from the effective date of passage of the act until June 30, 2025.
The legislation has now been referred to the Senate for consideration.