Committee adopts narrow review for some teacher certification denials after testimony on administrative errors

The House Education Committee voted to report House Bill 28 after adopting an amendment that narrows and time‑limits a new review pathway for applicants denied certification by the Teacher Certification Appeals Council (TCAC).

Representative Owen, sponsor of HB 28, said the bill is intended to provide a last level of review when applicants are harmed by administrative or contractor errors during certification. He described a case in which an applicant who completed required mentorship and paid fees was denied because a mentor’s signature did not meet a technical requirement; the sponsor said the change — giving the State Superintendent 30 days to act (or delegate) — would provide a limited, expedited safeguard “for no fault of their own.”

Department of Education staff told the committee TCAC reviews are policy‑based and that the council typically approves a high share of appellants; Arthur Jofrion, who facilitates TCAC, said some applicants were granted a one‑year remediation rather than immediate certification and that 56 applicants were affected in the cited period. Ashley Townsend of DOE said the department had consulted on the bill and had implemented process fixes to reduce recurrence.

Supporters argued the measure prevents qualified candidates from being sidelined by administrative mistakes; opponents cautioned that the change could undermine a statutory appeals council and urged resolving issues through TSAC or policy changes.

After debate and an objection, the committee took a roll‑call vote. The motion to report HB 28 as amended carried (9 yeas, 4 nays). The bill now moves to the House floor; sponsors said they would continue to work with DOE and TSAC on procedural safeguards and statutory language.