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CS/HB 1125 — Interstate Education Compacts
by Education Quality Subcommittee and Reps. Smith, Hunschofsky and others (SB 1446 by Senator Wright)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Pre-K -12 Committee (ED)
The bill adopts the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact (ITMC or Compact) model legislation into Florida Statute. The ITMC establishes a regulatory framework to allow teachers with an eligible license held in a Compact member state to be granted an equivalent license in another Compact member state, lowering barriers to teacher mobility and getting teachers back into the classroom more seamlessly.
Teachers holding a Compact-eligible license can apply for licensure in another member state and receive the closest equivalent license without submitting additional materials, taking state-specific exams, or completing additional coursework.
The Compact includes special exceptions for some populations to support equitable access. The Compact specifies that:
- Due to the mobility patterns of military spouses, the barriers to receiving a professional, rather than temporary or provisional, license are much higher; therefore teachers meeting the definition of an eligible military spouse may use a temporary or provisional license for the purposes of the Compact.
- Career and technical education teaching licenses often do not require a bachelor’s degree as a requirement for licensure; the Compact allows these licenses to be considered eligible without that requirement.
The ITMC legislation is comprised of 13 articles, which, in part:
- Specify that the Compact does not remove the authority of the receiving state to regulate licensure and endorsements, which may also require teachers under the Compact to meet licensure renewal requirements for that state.
- Require a teacher to undergo a criminal background check in the receiving state.
- Create the ITMC Commission, composed of representatives of the member states, to administer the Compact; its rules are binding to member states.
- Require the ITMC Commission to facilitate the exchange of information, which does not alter the ownership of the data by member states.
- Establish procedures for disciplinary actions for member states that fail to comply with the requirements of the Compact.
- Specify that the provisions of the Compact supersede other state laws that are in conflict.
In addition, the bill updates citations to federal law within the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 116-0