HB 7010 is an education-related bill focused on compensation and benefits for paraeducators employed by local and regional boards of education. It extends and revises an existing state subsidy program for fiscal years ending June 30, 2024 through June 30, 2027, allowing the Comptroller to provide subsidies to paraeducators who either open a health savings account or, if Medicare-eligible, enroll in a high-deductible health plan. The bill also creates a separate subsidy for school boards that provide health coverage to paraeducators and their dependents under a health benefit plan or partnership plan, with the subsidy intended to offset the employee share of premiums deducted from paychecks.
The bill further requires local and regional boards of education to pay the full employee contribution for paraeducators’ retirement benefits under the municipal employees’ retirement system or another participating retirement system, up to the municipal system amount. In turn, the Comptroller must reimburse boards for at least 50% of that retirement contribution cost. The bill also directs the Comptroller and the Commissioner of Education to enter into a memorandum of understanding so that $5 million previously appropriated to the Department of Education for paraeducator assistance can be used to implement these provisions.
The bill would affect state education finance and employee-benefit administration by shifting some health and retirement costs for paraeducators from employees and local school boards to the state. It amends Section 203 of Public Act 23-204 and adds a new statutory section effective July 1, 2025, thereby extending and expanding an existing state support structure for paraeducator benefits through June 30, 2027.
The general sentiment reflected in the available vote history appears supportive but not unanimous: the Education Committee reported a 30-14 vote in favor of the substitute change of reference. That suggests broad backing for helping paraeducators with health and retirement costs, while also indicating meaningful opposition or concern from some members.
The main points of contention likely center on cost, funding source, and the extent of state versus local responsibility. The bill relies on available appropriations and a specific $5 million transfer arrangement, so legislators may have differed over whether the state should commit to these subsidies, how much relief should be provided, and whether the reimbursement structure for retirement contributions is sufficient or too burdensome for school districts.
Impact
HB 7010 would amend existing law governing state assistance for paraeducator health coverage and create a new statutory requirement for retirement contribution support. It expands the Comptroller’s authority to subsidize paraeducator health savings accounts, high-deductible health plans, and school-board health premium costs, while also requiring boards of education to cover paraeducators’ employee retirement contributions and receiving partial state reimbursement. The bill would primarily affect local and regional boards of education, paraeducators, the Comptroller, and the Department of Education, and it would redirect or use appropriated education funds to finance these benefits.
Sentiment
The available committee vote indicates generally favorable sentiment toward the bill, with the Education Committee approving the substitute change of reference by a 30-14 margin. That vote suggests the proposal had substantial support as a measure to improve compensation and benefits for paraeducators, though not unanimous agreement. The absence of transcript excerpts limits insight into specific arguments, but the vote pattern implies that supporters viewed the bill as a targeted workforce and affordability measure, while opponents likely questioned its fiscal impact or policy design.
Contention
The likely areas of disagreement are fiscal and administrative. Critics may object to the cost of extending subsidies through 2027, the use of a $5 million appropriation originally directed to the Department of Education, and the requirement that school boards front retirement contribution costs before receiving partial reimbursement. Another possible point of contention is whether the bill sufficiently balances support for paraeducators with the budgetary constraints faced by local districts and the state. Supporters, by contrast, appear to favor stronger state assistance for health and retirement benefits as a way to support and retain paraeducators.
An Act Concerning Student Literacy, Aspiring Educators, American Sign Language As Part Of The World Languages Curriculum And The Paraeducator Health Benefit Plan Subsidy Program.