The Alabama Legislature

This act amends Sections 16-5-50, 16-5-51, 16-5-52, 16-5-53, 16-5-54, 16-5-54.1, 16-5-55, and 16-5-56, Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) rename the Alabama Math and Science Teacher Education Program (AMSTEP) as the Loan Assistance in Support of Educators in Alabama (LASEA) Program; (2) to provide loan assistance to educators who become certified in programs with an acute shortage of certified educators; (3) offer base loan assistance to eligible educators in the amount of $7,500 per year worked or $3,750 per semester, not exceeding four consecutive years; (4) offer supplemental loan assistance to eligible educators in the amount of $3,000 per year worked or $1,500 per semester, not exceeding four consecutive years, to educators eligible to receive base assistance who are in acute educator shortage locations; and (5) require the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the State Department of Education and the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, to determine the programs and locations that have acute educator shortages at least every academic year. This act adds Sections 16-5-53.1 and 16-5-53.2 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to: (1) require the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, in consultation with the Alabama Commission on the Evaluation of Services, to develop an accountability and evaluation plan for the program; and (2) provide that qualifying applicants who have received loan assistance before August 1, 2026, remain eligible for loan repayments under the program as long as employed by a qualifying school. This act also repeals Section 16-5-54.2, Code of Alabama 1975, which provided for the eligibility of individuals who completed alternative certification programs to participate in AMSTEP.