AN ACT CONCERNING TEACHER SALARIES.

SB 1459 establishes a minimum salary for certified teachers in Connecticut, requiring all new or amended collective bargaining agreements after July 1, 2025, to pay at least 300% of the federal poverty level for a family of two. It creates a state grant program distributing $600 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (and 20% of unappropriated surplus for 2026-2027) to municipalities based on their equalization aid share, to fund teacher salary increases. Municipalities must allocate these grants proportionally per student, with school districts using at least 75% of the funds to raise salaries for teachers not at the maximum salary level, and ensuring all teachers below the minimum salary receive the difference. The bill directly affects certified teachers in public school districts covered by collective bargaining agreements, aiming to standardize and increase their compensation.