AN ACT CONCERNING TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

HB 7168 creates two programs to support teachers. First, it establishes a tuition assistance program covering remaining tuition costs (after other aid) for eligible high school students with a B+ average who commit to teaching in state public schools for five years. Second, it creates a scholarship for certified teachers in alternative certification programs to pursue a master's degree, awarded on a first-come basis. The bill appropriates $5 million for the tuition program and requires annual reports on participation, completion rates, and employment outcomes. These programs directly affect future and current teachers in public schools, aiming to improve recruitment and retention through financial support tied to service commitments.