S445 - Regulatory Reform Act of 2026. (SL 2026-59)

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Session Year 2024

Overview: The State Board of Education (State Board) is required to adopt rules related to educator preparation programs (EPPs), including approval standards, accountability measures, and sanctions for EPPs not meeting expectations. Additionally, the General Assembly enacted the following implementation timelines:

  • Section 7(b) of S.L. 2017‑189 required EPP rules to be adopted by February 1, 2018.
  • Section 7(f) of S.L. 2017‑189 prohibited EPPs from receiving any sanction status prior to the 2021‑2022 school year.
  • Section 4 of S.L. 2019‑149 required further accountability rules to be adopted by October 1, 2019.

Section 3 of S.L. 2026-59 (Senate Bill 445) removes the deadlines by which the State Board should have adopted rules related to EPPs. Additionally, it requires the State Board, in consultation with other stakeholders, to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by October 15, 2026, on recommendations for an EPP accountability model.

This section became effective August 11, 2026.

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