Connecticut 2015 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB07016 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 7016
2		-	January Session, 2015 _____HB07016ED____033015____
	1	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7016
	2	+	January Session, 2015 LCO No. 5237
	3	+	05237_______ED_
	4	+	Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
	5	+	Introduced by:
	6	+	(ED)
3	7
4	8		General Assembly
5	9
6		-	~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 7016
	10	+	Raised Bill No. 7016
7	11
8	12		January Session, 2015
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10		-	_____HB07016ED____033015____
	14	+	LCO No. 5237
	15	+
	16	+	05237_______ED_
	17	+
	18	+	Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
	19	+
	20	+	Introduced by:
	21	+
	22	+	(ED)
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12	24		AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MORE COMMISSION SPECIAL EDUCATION SELECT WORKING GROUP.
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14	26		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
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16	28		Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Education shall submit an annual report regarding federal funds received pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) The total amount of federal funds received pursuant to said Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, (2) the total amount of such federal funds paid by the department to local and regional boards of education, (3) the total amount of such federal funds paid by the department to each local or regional board of education, and (4) a description of how such federal funds are being spent, including, but not limited to, which programs are receiving such federal funds from the department.
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18		-	Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of ~~Social~~ Services shall submit an annual report regarding federal funds received through the Medicaid program for the purpose of funding special education and related services to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) The total amount of federal funds received through the Medicaid ~~School Based Child Health~~ Program for the purpose of funding special education and related services, (2) the total amount of such ~~Medicaid School Based Child Health Program~~ funds paid by the department for the purpose of funding special education and related services, (3) the total amount of such ~~Medicaid School Based Child Health Program~~ funds paid by the department to each provider of special education and related services, and (4) a description of how such ~~Medicaid School Based Child Health Program~~ funds are being spent, including, but not limited to, a description of which programs are receiving such Medicaid ~~School Based Child Health Program~~ funds from the department.
	30	+	Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Developmental Services shall submit an annual report regarding federal funds received through the Medicaid program for the purpose of funding special education and related services to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) The total amount of federal funds received through the Medicaid program for the purpose of funding special education and related services, (2) the total amount of such federal funds paid by the department for the purpose of funding special education and related services, (3) the total amount of such federal funds paid by the department to each provider of special education and related services, and (4) a description of how such federal funds are being spent, including, but not limited to, a description of which programs are receiving such federal Medicaid funds from the department.
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20		-	Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, ~~the~~ Department of Developmental Services and the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, shall: (1) Coordinate the provision of transition resources, services and programs to children requiring special education and related services, (2) create, and update as necessary, a fact sheet that lists the state agencies that provide transition resources, services and programs and a brief description of such transition resources, services and programs and make such fact sheet available to parents, teachers, administrators and boards of education, and (3) annually collect information related to transition resources, programs and services provided by other state agencies and make such information available to parents, teachers, administrators and boards of education.
	32	+	Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Department of Developmental Services and the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, shall: (1) Coordinate the provision of transition resources, services and programs to children requiring special education and related services, (2) create, and update as necessary, a fact sheet that lists the state agencies that provide transition resources, services and programs and a brief description of such transition resources, services and programs and make such fact sheet available to parents, teachers, administrators and boards of education, and (3) annually collect information related to transition resources, programs and services provided by other state agencies and make such information available to parents, teachers, administrators and boards of education.
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22	34		(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2015, and each school year thereafter, the State Board of Education shall annually distribute the information described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section to the parent of a child requiring special education and related services in grades six to twelve, inclusive, at a planning and placement team meeting for such child. As used in this section, "parent" means the parent or guardian of a child requiring special education or the surrogate parent or, in the case of a pupil who is an emancipated minor or eighteen years of age or older, the pupil.
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24		-	Sec. 4. (Effective from passage) (a) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Individualized Education Program Advisory Council established pursuant to section 5 of this act, shall develop a new individualized education program form that is easier for practitioners to use and easier for parents and students to understand. Such individualized education program form shall include a brief description of, and contact information for, the parent ~~training and information center for Connecticut established pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time,~~ and the Bureau of Special Education within the Department of Education in a conspicuous place on the first page of the individualized education program form using at least twelve-point Times New Roman font.
	36	+	Sec. 4. (Effective from passage) (a) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Individualized Education Program Advisory Council established pursuant to section 5 of this act, shall develop a new individualized education program form that is easier for practitioners to use and easier for parents and students to understand. Such individualized education program form shall include a brief description of and contact information for the Connecticut Parent Advisory Council and the Bureau of Special Education within the Department of Education in a conspicuous place on the first page of the individualized education program form using at least twelve-point Times New Roman font.
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26	38		(b) Not later than January 1, 2017, the commissioner shall submit the new individualized education program form developed pursuant to this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
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28	40		Sec. 5. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established an Individualized Education Program Advisory Council that shall assist the Commissioner of Education in the development of a new individualized education program form that is easier for practitioners to use and easier for parents and students to understand, pursuant to section 4 of this act.
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30	42		(b) The advisory council shall consist of the following members:
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32	44		(1) One member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a director of pupil personnel;
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34	46		(2) One member appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a superintendent of schools;
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36	48		(3) One member appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be an advocate for parents or guardians of children requiring special education and related services;
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38	50		(4) One member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be an advocate for parents or guardians of children requiring special education and related services;
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40	52		(5) One member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a principal of a public school;
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42	54		(6) One member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education;
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44	56		(7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; and
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46	58		(8) Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a certified teacher in a public school and one of whom shall be a representative of the RESC Alliance.
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48	60		(c) All appointments to the advisory council shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
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50	62		(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the advisory council from among the members of the advisory council. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the advisory council, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
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52	64		(e) The Department of Education shall provide administrative support to the advisory council.
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54	66		(f) The advisory council shall terminate on the date that the Commissioner of Education submits the new individualized education program form to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 4 of this act, or January 1, 2017, whichever is later.
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56		-	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, to June 30, ~~2018, inclusive~~, the Department of Education shall establish and administer a digital individualized education program form pilot program. The pilot program shall utilize an Internet web-based individualized education program database system that uses computer software wizards to assist in the development of individualized education programs, allows for draft and official individualized education program forms, allows the sharing of data and individualized education programs among authorized users, integrates with other systems at the department such as the state-wide public school information system, developed pursuant to section 10-10a of the general statutes, in order to reduce duplicate entries of data, and integrates with school personnel and student reporting systems. The department shall ~~examine any existing~~ individualized education program special education tracking and reporting system software developed by ~~other states~~.
	68	+	Sec. 6. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, the Department of Education shall establish and administer a digital individualized education program form pilot program. The pilot program shall utilize an Internet web-based individualized education program database system that uses computer software wizards to assist in the development of individualized education programs, allows for draft and official individualized education program forms, allows the sharing of data and individualized education programs among authorized users, integrates with other systems at the department such as the state-wide public school information system, developed pursuant to section 10-10a of the general statutes, in order to reduce duplicate entries of data, and integrates with school personnel and student reporting systems. The department shall seek to obtain and modify the individualized education program special education tracking and reporting system software developed by the Illinois State Board of Education or develop a comparable database system.
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58	70		(b) The Commissioner of Education shall select three towns that are members of the Nutmeg Network to participate in the digital individualized education program form pilot program. The commissioner shall select (1) one town with a population of less than ten thousand, (2) one town with a population of at least ten thousand, but less than fifty thousand, and (3) one town with a population of at least fifty thousand.
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60	72		(c) Not later than October 1, 2017, the department shall submit a report on the digital individualized education program form pilot program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall analyze and evaluate the implementation of the digital individualized education program form pilot program for each town participating in the pilot program.
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62	74		Sec. 7. (Effective from passage) The Department of Education shall conduct a study regarding assistive technology equipment sharing programs. Such study shall examine existing assistive technology equipment sharing programs in the state and in other states. Not later than January 1, 2016, the department shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
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64	76		Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) The Department of Education shall provide complete and accurate information, that is not otherwise prohibited from disclosure under state and federal law, regarding special education programs and services offered by the state, local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers and other providers to organizations that represent and provide services to parents and guardians of children requiring special education and related services.
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66	78		Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) The Department of Education shall accept notices of events submitted to the department by special education advocacy groups, local and regional boards of education, regional education service centers and other providers of special education services for the purpose of maintaining a calendar of learning and training opportunities for the public regarding the provision of special education programs and services. Such calendar shall be made available on the department's Internet web site.
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68	80		Sec. 10. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a regional educational service center special education funding working group. The working group shall: (1) Study the funding provided to and expenditures of regional educational service centers for the provision of special education and related services, including, but not limited to, the sources of special education funds received by regional educational service centers and the ways in which regional educational service centers use such funds to provide special education and related services, and (2) make recommendations regarding how regional educational service centers can access additional special education funding and use such funds more efficiently and in ways that expand the provision of special education services, such as transportation, training and therapeutic services.
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70	82		(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:
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72	84		(1) One member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of the Capitol Region Education Council;
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74	86		(2) One member appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a representative of the Area Cooperative Educational Services;
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76	88		(3) One member appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education;
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78	90		(4) One member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a chief executive officer of a town, city or borough in this state;
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80	92		(5) One member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a superintendent of schools;
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82	94		(6) One member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of School Business Officials;
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84	96		(7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
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86	98		(8) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee; and
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88	100		(9) Five members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall be a director of pupil personnel, one of whom shall be a representative of Education Connection, one of whom shall be a representative of EASTCONN, one of whom shall be a representative of LEARN, and one of whom shall be a representative of Cooperative Educational Services.
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90	102		(c) All appointments to the working group shall be made not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
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92	104		(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the working group from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
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94	106		(e) The Department of Education shall provide administrative support to the working group.
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96	108		(f) Not later than July 1, 2016, the working group shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations related to special education funding for and expenditures of regional educational service centers, described in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits such report or July 1, 2016, whichever is later.
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98	110		Sec. 11. (Effective from passage) (a) Each regional educational service center shall develop a regional model for the provision of special education services related to transportation, training and therapeutic services to be used for the provision of such special education services to all school districts served by such regional educational service center. Each regional model shall include (1) a regional transportation plan, developed in consultation with public transit districts, that provides transportation to children requiring special education and related services, (2) a regional educator training plan that provides special education training to teachers, school paraprofessionals and administrators that includes, but is not limited to, instruction regarding classroom techniques to improve the provision of special education and related services to children and the implementation of scientific research-based interventions, (3) a regional plan for the provision of therapeutic services, including, but not limited to, speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy, and (4) a plan for the provision of transportation, training and therapeutic services in a manner that makes such services readily available to each school district served by the regional educational service center rather than by request of a school district.
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100		-	(b) Not later than July 1, 2016, each regional educational service center shall submit such model to the State Board of Education and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a ~~of the general statutes~~.
	112	+	(b) Not later than July 1, 2016, each regional educational service center shall submit such model to the State Board of Education and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.
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102	114		Sec. 12. Subsection (d) of section 10-145b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
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104	116		(d) (1) On and after July 1, 2016, in order to be eligible to obtain an initial educator certificate, each person shall be required to complete (A) a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer than thirty-six hours, which shall include an understanding of the growth and development of exceptional children, including handicapped and gifted and talented children and children who may require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom, and (B) a course or courses of study in special education relating to instruction on classroom techniques in reading, differentiated instruction, social-emotional learning, cultural competencies and assistive technology. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any person who has been issued an initial educator certificate prior to July 1, 2016.
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106		-	~~[(d) In]~~ (2) On and after July 1, 2016, in order to be eligible to obtain a [provisional teaching certificate, a] provisional educator certificate, [or an initial educator certificate,] each person shall be required to complete a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer than thirty-six hours, which shall include an understanding of the growth and development of exceptional children, including handicapped and gifted and talented children and children who may require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom.
	118	+	(2) [In] On and after July 1, 2016, in order to be eligible to obtain a [provisional teaching certificate, a] provisional educator certificate, [or an initial educator certificate,] each person shall be required to complete a course of study in special education comprised of not fewer than thirty-six hours, which shall include an understanding of the growth and development of exceptional children, including handicapped and gifted and talented children and children who may require special education, and methods for identifying, planning for and working effectively with special needs children in a regular classroom.
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108		-	(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary, each applicant for such certificates who has met all requirements for certification except the completion of the course in special education shall be entitled to a certificate [(1~~)] (A~~) for a period not to exceed one year, provided the applicant completed a teacher preparation program either in the state prior to July 1, 1987, or outside the state, or completed the necessary combination of professional experience or coursework as required by the State Board of Education or [(2~~)] (B~~) for a period not to exceed two years if the applicant applies for certification in an area for which a bachelor's degree is not required.
	120	+	(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection to the contrary, each applicant for such certificates who has met all requirements for certification except the completion of the course in special education shall be entitled to a certificate (1) for a period not to exceed one year, provided the applicant completed a teacher preparation program either in the state prior to July 1, 1987, or outside the state, or completed the necessary combination of professional experience or coursework as required by the State Board of Education or (2) for a period not to exceed two years if the applicant applies for certification in an area for which a bachelor's degree is not required.
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110		-	Sec. 13. Subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 10-76d of the general statutes ~~are~~ repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
	122	+	Sec. 13. Subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subdivision (8) of subsection (a) of section 10-76d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
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112		-	(C) Such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent shall (i) be given at least five school days' prior notice of any planning and placement team meeting conducted for such child or pupil, [and shall] (ii) have the right to be present at and participate in all portions of such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised, and (iii) have the right to have advisors of such person's own choosing and at such person's own expense, and ~~to have~~ the school paraprofessional assigned to such child or pupil, if any, to be present at and to participate in all portions of such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised.
	124	+	(C) Such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent shall (i) be given at least five school days' prior notice of any planning and placement team meeting conducted for such child or pupil, [and shall] (ii) have the right to be present at and participate in all portions of such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised, and (iii) have the right to have advisors of such person's own choosing and at such person's own expense, and the school paraprofessional assigned to such child or pupil, if any, to be present at and to participate in all portions of such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised.
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114		-	(D) Immediately upon the formal identification of any child as a child requiring special education and at each planning and placement team meeting for such child, the responsible local or regional board of education shall inform the parent or guardian of such child or surrogate parent or, in the case of a pupil who is an emancipated minor or eighteen years of age or older, the pupil of (i) the laws relating to special education, (ii) the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board of Education relating to special education, including the right of a parent, guardian or surrogate parent to (I) withhold from enrolling such child in kindergarten, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-184, and (II) have advisors and the school paraprofessional assigned to such child or pupil ~~to be~~ present at, and to participate in, all portions of such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised, in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, and (iii) any relevant information and resources relating to individualized education programs created by the Department of Education. If such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil does not attend a planning and placement team meeting, the responsible local or regional board of education shall mail such information to such person.
	126	+	(D) Immediately upon the formal identification of any child as a child requiring special education and at each planning and placement team meeting for such child, the responsible local or regional board of education shall inform the parent or guardian of such child or surrogate parent or, in the case of a pupil who is an emancipated minor or eighteen years of age or older, the pupil of (i) the laws relating to special education, (ii) the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board of Education relating to special education, including the right of a parent, guardian or surrogate parent to (I) withhold from enrolling such child in kindergarten, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-184, and (II) have advisors and the school paraprofessional assigned to such child or pupil present at, and participate in, all portions of such meeting at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised, in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, and (iii) any relevant information and resources relating to individualized education programs created by the Department of Education. If such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil does not attend a planning and placement team meeting, the responsible local or regional board of education shall mail such information to such person.
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116	128		Sec. 14. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) As used in this section, "private provider of special education services" means any private school or private agency or institution, including a group home.
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118		-	(b) In accomplishing their duties as set forth in section 7-396a of the general statutes and in accordance with the authority granted under chapter 111 of the general statutes, the Auditors of Public Accounts shall examine the records and accounts of any private provider of special education services that (1) has entered into an agreement with a local or regional board of education, pursuant to section 10-76d of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or (2) receives any state or local funds to provide special education and related services, in connection with any grant made by any state agency pursuant to any section of the general statutes or any public or special act. Such examination shall include a compliance audit of whether such state or local funds to provide special education and related services have been expended for allowable costs, in accordance with state and federal law and the individualized education program for each child receiving special education and related services ~~from~~ such private provider of special education services.
	130	+	(b) In accomplishing their duties as set forth in section 7-396a of the general statutes and in accordance with the authority granted under chapter 111 of the general statutes, the Auditors of Public Accounts shall examine the records and accounts of any private provider of special education services that (1) has entered into an agreement with a local or regional board of education, pursuant to section 10-76d of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or (2) receives any state or local funds to provide special education and related services, in connection with any grant made by any state agency pursuant to any section of the general statutes or any public or special act. Such examination shall include a compliance audit of whether such state or local funds to provide special education and related services have been expended for allowable costs, in accordance with state and federal law and the individualized education program for each child receiving special education and related services by such private provider of special education services.
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120		-	(c) The Auditors of Public Accounts shall conduct the examination of records and accounts described in subsection (b) of this section at least once during a period of five years, except that no private provider of special education services shall have its records and accounts so examined more than once during such five-year period, unless the auditors have found a problem with the records and accounts of such private provider of special education services during such five-year period.
	132	+	(c) The Auditors of Public Accounts shall conduct the examination of records and accounts described in subsection (b) of this section at least once during a period of five years, except that no private provider of special education services shall have its records and accounts so examined more than once during such five-year period unless the auditors have found a problem with the records and accounts of such private provider of special education services during such five-year period.
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122		-	(d) The Auditors of Public Accounts shall report their findings to the local or regional board of education that has entered into an agreement with ~~the~~ private provider of special education services, pursuant to section 10-76d of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to the Commissioner of Education, and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
	134	+	(d) The Auditors of Public Accounts shall report their findings to the local or regional board of education that has entered into an agreement with a private provider of special education services, pursuant to section 10-76d of the general statutes, as amended by this act, to the Commissioner of Education, and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
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124		-	Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) The Department of Education shall enter into memoranda of understanding with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the Office of Early Childhood and the Departments of Developmental Services, Children and Families, Social Services and ~~Correction~~ regarding the provision of special education and related services to children, including, but not limited to, education, healthcare and transition services. Such memoranda of understanding shall account for current programs and services, utilize best practices and be updated or renewed at least every five years.
	136	+	Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) (a) The Department of Education shall enter into memoranda of understanding with the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the Office of Early Childhood and the Departments of Developmental Services, Children and Families, Social Services and Corrections regarding the provision of special education and related services to children, including, but not limited to, education, healthcare and transition services. Such memoranda of understanding shall account for current programs and services, utilize best practices and be updated or renewed at least every five years.
125	137
126		-	(b) The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the Office of Early Childhood and the Departments of Developmental Services, Children and Families, Social Services and ~~Correction~~ shall, as necessary, enter into memoranda of understanding regarding the provision of special education and related services to children as ~~such services relate~~ to one another. Such memoranda of understanding shall account for current programs and services, utilize best practices and be updated or renewed at least every five years.
	138	+	(b) The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, the Office of Early Childhood and the Departments of Developmental Services, Children and Families, Social Services and Corrections shall, as necessary, enter into memoranda of understanding regarding the provision of special education and related services to children as it relates to one another. Such memoranda of understanding shall account for current programs and services, utilize best practices and be updated or renewed at least every five years.
127	139
128		-	Sec. 16. (Effective from passage) The Department of Education shall conduct a study regarding the collection, assimilation and reporting on longitudinal student data related to special education outcomes. Such study shall include: (1) An examination of how the department can collect and analyze data related to students who received special education and who have exited the public school system, including data related to subsequent employment and participation in state programs, at regular intervals over a ten-year period following such students' exit from the public school system, (2) a review of which state agencies may need to participate in the collection of such data, (3) a projection of the costs related to the regular collection and analysis of such data, and (4) an examination of the obstacles that exist to the collection and analysis of such data. The department shall use the results of the study to assist in the development of special education and transition services policy. Not later than January 1, 2016, the department shall submit a report on its findings to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
129		-
130		-	Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2015) Not later than July 1, 2016, each regional educational service center shall conduct a survey of special education services and programs provided in the region serviced by the regional educational service center for the purpose of identifying the need for enhanced or new special education services and programs provided by the regional educational service center. Such survey shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) an inventory of special education services and programs provided by local and regional boards of education and private providers to public school students, (2) the number of students receiving special education services or in special education programs provided by a local or regional board of education or private provider, (3) the total cost incurred by each school district for all such special education services and programs, and (4) the cost incurred by each school district for each such special education service and program. Each regional educational service center shall develop and maintain its own survey procedure and may conduct subsequent surveys as necessary.
131		-
132		-	Sec. 18. (Effective from passage) Each regional educational service center shall study the feasibility of such regional educational service center providing and administering new special education services and programs that are of equal or greater quality than those currently provided by local or regional boards of education or private providers in the region serviced by such regional educational service center. The feasibility study shall (1) identify new and current special education services and programs provided by the regional educational service center, (2) take into account the areas of need identified in the survey conducted pursuant to section 17 of this act, (3) include a consideration of the infrastructure, planning, personnel, funding and additional needs required to initiate and maintain special education services and programs provided by the regional educational service center, and (4) include recommendations for sites for future special education services and programs provided by the regional education service center and a timeline for the implementation of such special education services and programs. Not later than October 1, 2016, each regional educational service center shall submit such feasibility study to the State Board of Education and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
	140	+	Sec. 16. (Effective from passage) The Department of Education shall conduct a study regarding the collection, assimilation and reporting on longitudinal student data related to special education outcomes. Such study shall include: (1) An examination of how the department can collect and analyze data related to students who received special education and who have exited the public school system, including data related to subsequent employment and participation in state programs, at regular intervals over a ten-year period following such students' exit from the public school system, and (2) a review of which state agencies may need to participate in the collection of such data, (3) a projection of the costs related to the regular collection and analysis of such data, and (4) an examination of the obstacles that exist to the collection and analysis of such data. The department shall use the results of the study to assist in the development of special education and transition services policy. Not later than January 1, 2016, the department shall submit a report on its findings to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
133	141
134	142
135	143
136	144
137	145		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
138	146		Section 1 July 1, 2015 New section
139	147		Sec. 2 July 1, 2015 New section
140	148		Sec. 3 July 1, 2015 New section
141	149		Sec. 4 from passage New section
142	150		Sec. 5 from passage New section
143	151		Sec. 6 July 1, 2015 New section
144	152		Sec. 7 from passage New section
145	153		Sec. 8 July 1, 2015 New section
146	154		Sec. 9 July 1, 2015 New section
147	155		Sec. 10 from passage New section
148	156		Sec. 11 from passage New section
149	157		Sec. 12 July 1, 2015 10-145b(d)
150	158		Sec. 13 from passage 10-76d(a)(8)(C) and (D)
151	159		Sec. 14 July 1, 2015 New section
152	160		Sec. 15 July 1, 2015 New section
153	161		Sec. 16 from passage New section
154		-	Sec. 17 July 1, 2015 New section
155		-	Sec. 18 from passage New section
156	162
157	163		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
158	164
159	165		Section 1
160	166
161	167		July 1, 2015
162	168
163	169		New section
164	170
165	171		Sec. 2
166	172
167	173		July 1, 2015
168	174
169	175		New section
170	176
171	177		Sec. 3
172	178
173	179		July 1, 2015
174	180
175	181		New section
176	182
177	183		Sec. 4
178	184
179	185		from passage
180	186
181	187		New section
182	188
183	189		Sec. 5
184	190
185	191		from passage
186	192
187	193		New section
188	194
189	195		Sec. 6
190	196
191	197		July 1, 2015
192	198
193	199		New section
194	200
195	201		Sec. 7
196	202
197	203		from passage
198	204
199	205		New section
200	206
201	207		Sec. 8
202	208
203	209		July 1, 2015
204	210
205	211		New section
206	212
207	213		Sec. 9
208	214
209	215		July 1, 2015
210	216
211	217		New section
212	218
213	219		Sec. 10
214	220
215	221		from passage
216	222
217	223		New section
218	224
219	225		Sec. 11
220	226
221	227		from passage
222	228
223	229		New section
224	230
225	231		Sec. 12
226	232
227	233		July 1, 2015
228	234
229	235		10-145b(d)
230	236
231	237		Sec. 13
232	238
233	239		from passage
234	240
235	241		10-76d(a)(8)(C) and (D)
236	242
237	243		Sec. 14
238	244
239	245		July 1, 2015
240	246
241	247		New section
242	248
243	249		Sec. 15
244	250
245	251		July 1, 2015
246	252
247	253		New section
248	254
249	255		Sec. 16
250	256
251	257		from passage
252	258
253	259		New section
254	260
255		-	~~Sec. 17~~
	261	+	Statement of Purpose:
256	262
257		-	~~July 1,~~ ~~2015~~
	263	+	To implement the recommendation of the MORE Commission Special Education Select Working Group.
258	264
259		-	New section
260		-
261		-	Sec. 18
262		-
263		-	from passage
264		-
265		-	New section
266		-
267		-
268		-
269		-	ED Joint Favorable Subst.
270		-
271		-	ED
272		-
273		-	Joint Favorable Subst.
	265	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]