HOUSE BILL 120

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

John A. Heaton

FOR THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE

AN ACT

RELATING TO TEACHERS; BROADENING THE DEFINITION OF STUDENT IN THE TEACHER LOAN FOR SERVICE ACT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 21-22E-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 2001, Chapter 288, Section 3) is amended to read:

     "21-22E-3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Teacher Loan for Service Act:

          A. "commission" means the commission on higher education;

          B. "loan" means a payment of money under contract between the commission and a student that defrays the costs incidental to a teacher preparation program offered in a regionally accredited post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico and that requires repayment in services;

          C. "student" means a United States citizen who is:

                (1) enrolled in or accepted by an undergraduate or graduate teacher preparation program at a regionally accredited post-secondary educational institution in New Mexico;

                (2) a high school student who signs an agreement declaring his intent to serve as a public school teacher in a designated shortage area in New Mexico through a career pathway program previous to enrollment in any two- or four-year teacher education program; or

                (3) a student enrolled in a two-year institution who, previous to enrollment in any teacher education program, signs an agreement declaring his intent to serve as public school teacher in a designated shortage area in New Mexico through a career pathway program; and

          D. "teacher preparation program" means [one] a program that has been formally approved as meeting the requirements of the [New Mexico state board of] public education department and that leads to initial licensure or to additional licensure endorsements."

     Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2004.

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