Report of Regents Higher Education/Professional Practice Joint Meeting Committee to The Board of Regents

Your Higher Education Committee and Professional Practice Committee held a joint meeting on May 17, 2016.  All members were present with the exception of Regents Norwood and Finn who were absent and excused.

Action Items

Proposed Amendment to Section 59.4 and 80-1.3 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Citizenship - HE/PPC (A) 1 

Your Committees discussed a proposed amendment relating to citizenship for the professions and teaching and educational leadership service.  Currently, individuals granted deferred action childhood arrivals (DACA) relief under Federal Executive Order and are allowed to continue to be lawfully present in the United States without fear of deportation are not eligible for State licensure in the professions or those seeking their professional teaching certification under the Regulations of the Commissioner.  Your Committees recommend that the Board of Regents use its broad authority over the granting of licenses in the Title VIII professions and the certification of teachers to promulgate regulations expressly authorizing otherwise qualified aliens who are not unlawfully present in the U.S. and who meet all other licensure requirements except citizenship to become licensed or certified.  Your Committees voted that Section 59.4 is repealed and that new Sections 59.4 and 80-1.3 be added to the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education as submitted, effective June 1, 2016. 

MOTION FOR ACTION BY FULL BOARD

Madam Chancellor and Colleagues: Your Higher Education Committee and Professional Practices Committee recommends, and we move, that the Board of Regents act affirmatively upon each recommendation in the written report of the Committees’ deliberations at its meeting on May 17, 2016, copies of which have been distributed to each member of the Board of Regents.