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H 3204

Teacher and State Superintendent of Education credentials

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Neal Collins

Massachusetts: allow local option tax exemptions up to $1,000 per grandchild for grandparents 55+ raising them; South Carolina: by July 1, 2027, all educators must hold a master’s

Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
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Bill Summary · H 3204

Summary — H 3204

Title: Teacher and State Superintendent of Education credentials
Status: Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works (introduced Feb 27, 2025)
Note: The provided bill text includes two distinct draft provisions—(A) a Massachusetts local-option property tax exemption for grandparents raising grandchildren, and (B) a South Carolina statutory change requiring master’s degrees for certificated teachers and for candidates for State Superintendent. The summary below treats both elements separately and highlights procedural dates.

Purpose and intent

  • Massachusetts portion (local-option): Authorize cities and towns to create a property tax exemption or abatement program to reduce the tax burden on grandparents (age 55+) who have legal responsibility for raising a grandchild.
  • South Carolina portion (statewide): Require that, beginning July 1, 2027, anyone receiving, renewing, or maintaining a state educator certificate hold a master’s degree appropriate to their teaching field/level; prohibit employment of certificated teachers who lack such a master’s; and require candidates for State Superintendent to hold the required master’s degree prior to filing for office.

Key provisions

A. Local-option tax exemption for grandparents (Massachusetts draft — House Docket No. 1983)

  • Municipalities may adopt (by vote of the local governing body) a tax exemption or abatement program for persons over 55 who are legal grandparents raising a grandchild.
  • The municipal reduction is in addition to any other exemptions/abatements.
  • Maximum reduction: $1,000 per child per tax year.
  • Municipalities must maintain records of reductions and provide copies to the assessor and to the taxpayer before issuing the actual tax bill.
  • Municipalities may adopt local rules and may adjust the exemption based on a verified legal relationship to the child(ren).

B. Educator certification and superintendent qualifications (South Carolina draft)

  • Effective after July 1, 2027:
    • Anyone receiving, renewing, or maintaining an educator certificate authorized by the State Board of Education must hold a master’s degree that meets Department regulations appropriate to their field/level.
    • The State Board and Department may not issue or renew certificates for persons without such a master’s.
    • School districts may not employ teachers who do not hold the required master’s degree.
  • State Superintendent:
    • Statutory minimum qualifications updated to require a master’s degree and substantive experience (either in education or in operational/financial management).
    • A candidate must meet these academic/experience requirements — including already having the master’s degree — prior to filing for office; failure to meet them renders a filing void and prevents the candidate’s name from appearing on primary or general election ballots for that election.
  • Effective date: upon gubernatorial approval (text indicates immediate effect for SC provisions).

Who would be affected

  • Massachusetts: Grandparents age 55+ who legally raise grandchildren and live in municipalities that adopt the local program; municipal tax assessors and municipal budgets (reduction in property tax collections).
  • South Carolina: Current and prospective certificated teachers (who would need to obtain master’s degrees by July 1, 2027 to continue/obtain certification), school districts (employment eligibility), teacher preparation programs and teacher workforce pipeline, and candidates for State Superintendent.

Potential impacts

  • Massachusetts local-option:
    • Fiscal: Potential loss of municipal property tax revenue up to the adopted caps ($1,000 per child).
    • Administrative: Municipalities must verify relationships, maintain records, and adjust tax bills.
    • Social: Could provide targeted relief to older caregivers raising grandchildren.
  • South Carolina statewide:
    • Workforce: Could reduce the pool of eligible teachers if many lack master’s degrees by 2027; may create hiring challenges, especially in shortage subject areas and rural districts.
    • Costs: Additional education costs for teachers to obtain required master’s degrees; potential salary/compensation adjustments.
    • Governance/elections: Narrows candidate pool for State Superintendent by making possession of a master’s degree a pre‑filing requirement; administrative enforcement of candidacy eligibility.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Massachusetts draft (House Docket No. 1983): Prefiled 12/05/2024; introduced/read first time 01/14/2025; referred to Committee on Education and Public Works 01/14/2025; additional referral to Revenue committee 02/27/2025; hearings scheduled/rescheduled for 09/16/2025.
  • South Carolina draft: Text specifies an effective requirement date of July 1, 2027 for teacher certification changes and immediate effectiveness upon governor’s approval for superintendent provisions.
  • The mixed content should be confirmed with the bill sponsor/legislative office to determine which provisions are contained within the official H 3204 filing and which pertain to separate jurisdictional drafts.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a short fiscal and implementation checklist for municipal officials (MA portion), or
- Draft an impact memo for state education agencies and school districts (SC portion) detailing workforce, certification, and timeline implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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