Modifies provisions relating to school employee retirement systems

HB 597 allows retired school teachers and non-certified staff to return to full-time work in school districts facing staffing shortages without losing their retirement benefits. Retired certified teachers can work up to four years if a district has a certified teacher shortage (capped at 1% of total staff or five teachers), while retired non-certified staff can do the same for non-certified roles (capped at 1% or five employees). School districts must first prove they tried hiring non-retirees, posted vacancies for a month, avoided recent early retirement offers, and declared an active shortage. The bill requires districts to cover employer contributions and include hires in state hiring verification systems.