2024 Senate Bill 4: AN ACT relating to sick leave for members of the Teachers' Retirement System and declaring an emergency.

Currently in Kentucky, 30% of the value of a teacher’s unused sick leave days are added on to their retirement pension. Senate Bill 4 however, would limit the payment for unused sick days to just 10 per school year.

There are many contrasting opinions on this bill. The bill was proposed with the intention of ensuring that the pension system could continue to pay teachers in their retirement. Reducing the number of unused sick days teachers could accumulate money for would save funds. On the other hand, those who oppose the bill argue that it could incentivize teachers to use up their sick days during the school year even if they don’t need them, worsening Kentucky’s substitute teacher shortage. KSVT believes the action that best supports our teachers is the most responsible action to take.