S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
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3931
2009-2010 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 29, 2009
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Introduced by M. of A. RAIA, TEDISCO, ALFANO, GIGLIO, KOLB, WALKER --
Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. BARRA, BURLING, BUTLER, CONTE, FITZPA-
TRICK, McDONOUGH, McKEVITT, OAKS, QUINN, SCOZZAFAVA -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Higher Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to creating the regents
teacher shortage loan forgiveness program
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 237-a
to read as follows:
S 237-A. CRITICAL SHORTAGES IN COMMON BRANCH SUBJECT AREAS. THE
REGENTS SHALL, ONCE EVERY FOUR YEARS, REVIEW THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR
PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM TEACHERS TO DETERMINE THE EXISTENCE AND POTEN-
TIAL EXISTENCE OF CRITICAL SHORTAGES IN ANY OF THE COMMON BRANCH SUBJECT
AREAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY CATEGORIES FOR THE
REGENTS TEACHER SHORTAGE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION
SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY-SEVEN-B OF THIS CHAPTER.
S 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 677-b to
read as follows:
S 677-B. REGENTS TEACHER SHORTAGE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM. 1. NUMBER
AND CERTIFICATION. ONE THOUSAND ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES SHALL BE SELECTED
ANNUALLY ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE REGENTS TEACHER
SHORTAGE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM. CANDIDATES MUST HAVE SUCCESSFULLY
COMPLETED AT LEAST THE SECOND YEAR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDY AND MUST
DEMONSTRATE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE COMMISSIONER ACADEMIC STUDY IN
ANY OF THE COMMON BRANCH AREAS OF CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGES, AS DETER-
MINED BY THE REGENTS.
2. DURATION. UPON ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL OR PERMANENT CERTIFICATION
AND EMPLOYMENT IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL LOCATED IN NEW YORK STATE, EACH CANDI-
DATE SHALL COMMENCE PARTICIPATION IN THE REGENTS TEACHER SHORTAGE LOAN
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD06526-01-9
A. 3931 2
FORGIVENESS PROGRAM. PARTICIPATION SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL ANY OF THE
FOLLOWING OCCURS:
A. THE CANDIDATE'S QUALIFIED OUTSTANDING LOANS ARE REPAID;
B. THE CANDIDATE LEAVES THE TEACHING PROFESSION;
C. THE CANDIDATE NO LONGER RESIDES IN NEW YORK STATE;
D. THE CANDIDATE DEFAULTS ON ANY HIGHER EDUCATION GUARANTEED LOAN.
3. AMOUNT. UPON CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY BY THE COMMISSIONER TO
THE PRESIDENT OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION SERVICES CORPORATION, THE PRESI-
DENT SHALL MAKE ANNUAL PAYMENTS TO THE CANDIDATE, OR AT THE PRESIDENT'S
DISCRETION DIRECTLY TO THE LENDER ON BEHALF OF THE CANDIDATE, IN AN
AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE LESSER OF ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR ONE-HALF OF THE
TOTAL PRINCIPAL OF FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE GUARANTEED STUDENT LOANS
DIVIDED BY THE PERIOD OF REPAYMENT, AS PRESCRIBED BY THE PRESIDENT.
S 3. The regents of the state university may adopt any rules or regu-
lations necessary for the implementation of this act.
S 4. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding
the date on which it shall have become a law.