HB 2620
Initials CH Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
First Regular Session
House: ED DPA/SE 8-0-0-2
HB 2620: technical correction; education; extended year
NOW: private residential facilities; instructional days
Sponsor: Representative Martinez, LD 16
House Engrossed
Overview
Allows a private residential facility to offer at least 200 instructional days and increase its base
level by 5%, subject to prescribed criteria.
History
School districts and charter schools (public schools) must have annual instructional calendars
that are at least 180 days each year (A.R.S. §§ 15-341.01, 15-901). Statute allows a public school,
subject to approval by the Arizona Department of Education (ADE), to provide 200 instructional
days and consequently increase its base level by 5%. To receive the 5% base level increase, the
public school must also increase its annual instructional hours by 10% (A.R.S. § 15-902.04).
A private residential facility is a licensed private facility that is either approved by the ADE Division
of Special Education (Division) for special education placements or is a facility accredited by the
North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (A.R.S. § 15-1181).
A child may be placed by state placing agencies (e.g., the Arizona Department of Juvenile
Corrections) in a private residential facility for care, safety or treatment purposes or educational
needs. Statute details evaluation requirements for the state placing agency and the home school
district to identify if the child has a disability.
ADE pays for the educational services of children in private residential facilities through an
education voucher for private placement (residential voucher). If approved by the director of the
Division, the residential voucher is paid directly to the private residential facility. Residential
voucher amounts are calculated using the base level and are increased if the student has a
disability (A.R.S. §§ 15-1183, 15-1184).
The base level is annually adjusted by the Legislature and, for FY 2023, is $4,775.27 (A.R.S. §
15-901).
Provisions
1. Adds that a private residential facility may provide at least 200 instructional days and increase
its base level by 5%. (Sec. 1)
2. Subjects a private residential facility providing at least 200 instructional days to the same
statutory requirements as public schools offering at least 200 instructional days. (Sec. 1)
3. Defines private residential facility. (Sec. 1)
4. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note