(a) The State Board of Education shall prescribe rules and regulations that allow for reimbursement to state-licensed teachers for the expense of moving when the employment necessitates the relocation of the teacher to a different geographical area from that in which the teacher resided before entering into a contract.

(b)

(1) The expense reimbursement shall be allowed for both in-state and out-of-state teachers who enter into a contract for employment in a school district situated in the Delta or within a geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers.

(2) The region that is included in the Delta and the geographical area of the state where there exists a critical shortage of teachers shall be designated by the state board.

(c) In order to be eligible for the reimbursement, the teacher must apply to the local school district, and the school district must obtain the prior approval from the Department of Higher Education for reimbursement before the relocation occurs.

(d)

(1) If the reimbursement is approved, the department shall provide funds to the school district to reimburse the teacher an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for the documented actual expenses incurred in the course of relocating.

(2) Allowable expenses shall include:

(A) The expense of any professional moving company or persons employed to assist with the move;

(B) Rented moving vehicles or equipment;

(C) Mileage in the amount authorized for state employees if the teacher used a personal vehicle or vehicles for the move;

(D) Meals; and

(E) Other expenses associated with the relocation in accordance with the department's established rules and regulations.

(e) No teacher may be reimbursed for moving expenses under this section on more than one (1) occasion.

(f)

(1) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the actual residence to which the teacher relocates to be within the boundaries of the school district that has executed a contract for employment with the teacher or within the boundaries of the area designated by the state board as the Delta or a critical teacher shortage area in order for the teacher to be eligible for reimbursement for moving expenses.

(2) Teachers must relocate within the boundaries of the State of Arkansas.

(g) The provisions of this section shall be contingent on the availability of funding for the purpose of reimbursing teachers for interviewing and moving expenses under the terms of this section.