1. a. Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a candidate for a substitute teacher credential who is enrolled in a regionally accredited institution of higher education and who is applying between the effective date of this act and June 30, 2023 shall present a minimum of 30 semester-hour credits completed at the institution at the time of applying for the substitute credential. A candidate applying for a substitute teacher credential under this section shall be at least 20 years of age. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict school districts from establishing additional criteria for the employment of substitute teachers under this section.

b. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Education to examine issues and develop recommendations as to whether the timeline established pursuant to subsection a. of this section should be extended to continue allowing candidates for substitute teaching credentials to present a minimum of 30 semester-hour credits completed at the time of applying for the substitute credential. The commissioner shall issue a final report of findings and recommendations to the Governor, to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C. 52:14-19.1), and to the State Board of Education no later than one year after the application period expires on June 30, 2023.

L.2021, c.87, s.1.