General Assembly Governor's Bill No. 7035
January Session, 2017 LCO No. 3784
*03784__________*
Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
Introduced by:
REP. ARESIMOWICZ, 30th Dist. REP. RITTER M., 1st Dist. SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist. SEN. DUFF, 25th Dist.
General Assembly
Governor's Bill No. 7035
January Session, 2017
LCO No. 3784
*03784__________*
Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
Introduced by:
REP. ARESIMOWICZ, 30th Dist.
REP. RITTER M., 1st Dist.
SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist.
SEN. DUFF, 25th Dist.
AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING EDUCATION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 10-262f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Whenever used in this section and sections 10-262h to 10-262j, inclusive, as amended by this act:
(1) "Adjusted equalized net grand list" means the equalized net grand list of a town multiplied by its income adjustment factor.
(2) "Base aid ratio" means (A) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, to June 30, 2013, inclusive, one minus the ratio of a town's wealth to the state guaranteed wealth level, provided no town's base aid ratio shall be less than nine one-hundredths, except for towns which rank from one to twenty when all towns are ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on the ratio of the number of children below poverty to the number of children age five to seventeen, inclusive, the town's base aid ratio shall not be less than thirteen one-hundredths when based on data used to determine the grants pursuant to section 10-262h of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, [and] (B) for the fiscal [year] years ending June 30, 2014, [and each fiscal year thereafter] to June 30, 2017, inclusive, one minus the town's wealth adjustment factor, except that a town's base aid ratio shall not be less than (i) ten one-hundredths for a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, as amended by this act, and (ii) two one-hundredths for a town that is not designated as an alliance district, and (C) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the town's wealth adjustment factor, except that a town's base aid ratio shall not be less than (i) ten one-hundredths for a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, as amended by this act, and (ii) zero for a town that is not designated as an alliance district.
[(3) "Income adjustment factor" means the average of a town's per capita income divided by the per capita income of the town with the highest per capita income in the state and a town's median household income divided by the median household income of the town with the highest median household income in the state.]
[(4)] (3) "Median household income" for each town means that enumerated in the most recent federal decennial census of population or that enumerated in the current population report series issued by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, whichever is more recent and available on January first of the fiscal year two years prior to the fiscal year in which payment is to be made pursuant to section 10-262i, as amended by this act.
[(5) "Supplemental aid factor" means for each town the average of its percentage of children eligible under the temporary family assistance program and its grant mastery percentage.
(6) "Percentage of children eligible under the temporary family assistance program" means the town's number of children under the temporary family assistance program divided by the number of children age five to seventeen, inclusive, in the town.]
[(7)] (4) "Average mastery percentage" means for each school year the average of the three most recent mastery percentages available on December first of the school year.
[(8)] (5) "Equalized net grand list", for purposes of calculating the amount of grant to which any town is entitled in accordance with section 10-262h, as amended by this act, means the average of the net grand lists of the town upon which taxes were levied for the general expenses of the town two, three and four years prior to the fiscal year in which such grant is to be paid, provided such net grand lists are equalized in accordance with section 10-261a.
[(9)] (6) "Foundation" means (A) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1990, three thousand nine hundred eighteen dollars, (B) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1991, four thousand one hundred ninety-two dollars, (C) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1992, four thousand four hundred eighty-six dollars, (D) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1993, June 30, 1994, and June 30, 1995, four thousand eight hundred dollars, (E) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, June 30, 1997, and June 30, 1998, five thousand seven hundred eleven dollars, (F) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, five thousand seven hundred seventy-five dollars, (G) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2000, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, five thousand eight hundred ninety-one dollars, (H) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, to June 30, 2013, inclusive, nine thousand six hundred eighty-seven dollars, [and] (I) for the fiscal [year] years ending June 30, 2014, [and each fiscal year thereafter] to June 30, 2017, inclusive, eleven thousand five hundred twenty-five dollars, and (J) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, eight thousand nine hundred ninety dollars.
[(10)] (7) "Number of children age five to seventeen, inclusive" means that enumerated in the most recent federal decennial census of population or enumerated in the current population report series issued by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, whichever is more recent and available on January first of the fiscal year two years prior to the fiscal year in which payment is to be made pursuant to section 10-262i, as amended by this act.
[(11) "Supplemental aid ratio" means .04 times the supplemental aid factor of a town divided by the highest supplemental aid factor when all towns are ranked from low to high, provided any town whose percentage of children eligible under the temporary family assistance program exceeds twenty-five shall have a supplemental aid ratio of .04.]
[(12)] (8) "Grant mastery percentage" means (A) for the school year ending June 30, 1989, average mastery percentage, and (B) for the school years ending June 30, 1990, through the school year ending June 30, 1995, the average mastery percentage plus the mastery improvement bonus, and (C) for each school year thereafter, the average mastery percentage.
[(13)] (9) "Mastery count" of a town means for each school year the grant mastery percentage of the town multiplied by the number of resident students.
[(14) "Mastery improvement bonus" means for each school year through the school year ending June 30, 1995, seventy-five per cent of the difference between (A) the grant mastery percentage for the previous school year, and (B) the average mastery percentage for the school year, but not less than zero.]
[(15)] (10) "Mastery percentage" of a town for any school year means, using the mastery test data of record for the mastery examination administered in such year, pursuant to section 10-14n, the number obtained by dividing (A) the total number of valid tests with scores below the state-wide standard for remedial assistance, as determined by the Department of Education, in each subject of the examinations pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-14n taken by resident students, by (B) the total number of such valid tests taken by such students.
[(16)] (11) "Mastery test data of record" means for the school year commencing July 1, 2013, and each school year thereafter, the data of record subsequent to the administration of the mastery examinations pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-14n, as adjusted by the Department of Education pursuant to a request by a local or regional board of education filed with the department not later than the August thirtieth following the administration of such examination.
[(17) "Number of children under the temporary family assistance program" means the number obtained by adding together the unduplicated aggregate number of children five to eighteen years of age eligible to receive benefits under the temporary family assistance program or its predecessor federal program, as appropriate, in October and May of each fiscal year, and dividing by two, such number to be certified and submitted annually, no later than the first day of July of the succeeding fiscal year, to the Commissioner of Education by the Commissioner of Social Services.
(18) "Per capita income" for each town means that enumerated in the most recent federal decennial census of population or that enumerated in the current population report series issued by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, whichever is more recent and available on January first of the fiscal year two years prior to the fiscal year in which payment is to be made pursuant to section 10-262i.]
[(19)] (12) "Regional bonus" means, for any town which is a member of a regional school district and has students who attend such regional school district, an amount equal to one hundred dollars for each such student enrolled in the regional school district on October first or the full school day immediately preceding such date for the school year prior to the fiscal year in which the grant is to be paid multiplied by the ratio of the number of grades, kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, in the regional school district to thirteen.
[(20)] (13) "Regular program expenditures" means (A) total current educational expenditures less (B) expenditures for (i) special education programs pursuant to subsection (h) of section 10-76f, (ii) pupil transportation eligible for reimbursement pursuant to section 10-266m, (iii) land and capital building expenditures, and equipment otherwise supported by a state grant pursuant to chapter 173, including debt service, (iv) health services for nonpublic school children, (v) adult education, (C) expenditures directly attributable to (i) state grants received by or on behalf of school districts except grants for the categories of expenditures listed in subparagraphs (B)(i) to (B)(iv), inclusive, of this subdivision and except grants received pursuant to section 10-262i, as amended by this act, and section 10-262c of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 1987, and except grants received pursuant to chapter 173, (ii) federal grants received by or on behalf of school districts except for adult education and federal impact aid, and (iii) receipts from the operation of child nutrition services and student activities services, (D) expenditures of funds from private and other sources, and (E) tuition received on account of nonresident students. The town of Woodstock may include as part of the current expenses of its public schools for each school year the amount expended for current expenses in that year by Woodstock Academy from income from its endowment funds upon receipt from said academy of a certified statement of such current expenses. The town of Winchester may include as part of the current expenses of its public school for each school year the amount expended for current expenses in that year by the Gilbert School from income from its endowment funds upon receipt from said school of a certified statement of such current expenses.
[(21)] (14) "Regular program expenditures per need student" means, in any year, the regular program expenditures of a town for such year divided by the number of total need students in the town for such school year, provided for towns which are members of a kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district and for such regional school district, "regular program expenditures per need student" means, in any year, the regular program expenditures of such regional school district divided by the sum of the number of total need students in all such member towns.
[(22)] (15) "Resident students" means the number of pupils of the town enrolled in public schools at the expense of the town on October first or the full school day immediately preceding such date, provided the number shall be decreased by the Department of Education for failure to comply with the provisions of section 10-16 and shall be increased by one one-hundred-eightieth for each full-time equivalent school day in the school year immediately preceding such date of at least five hours of actual school work in excess of one hundred eighty days and nine hundred hours of actual school work and be increased by the full-time equivalent number of such pupils attending the summer sessions immediately preceding such date at the expense of the town; "enrolled" shall include pupils who are scheduled for vacation on the above date and who are expected to return to school as scheduled. Pupils participating in the program established pursuant to section 10-266aa shall be counted in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of section 10-266aa.
[(23)] (16) "Schools" means nursery schools, kindergarten and grades one to twelve, inclusive.
[(24) "State guaranteed wealth level" means (A) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1990, 1.8335 times the town wealth of the town with the median wealth as calculated using the data of record on December first of the fiscal year prior to the year in which the grant is to be paid pursuant to section 10-262i, (B) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1991, and 1992, 1.6651 times the town wealth of the town with such median wealth, (C) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1993, June 30, 1994, and June 30, 1995, 1.5361 times the town wealth of the town with the median wealth, (D) for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, 1.55 times the town wealth of the town with the median wealth, and (E) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter, 1.75 times the town wealth of the town with the median wealth.]
[(25)] (17) "Total need students" means the sum of (A) the number of resident students of the town for the school year, and (B) [(i) for any school year commencing prior to July 1, 1998, one-quarter the number of children under the temporary family assistance program for the prior fiscal year, and (ii) for the school years commencing July 1, 1998, to July 1, 2006, inclusive, one-quarter the number of children under the temporary family assistance program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1997, (C) for school years commencing July 1, 1995, to July 1, 2006, inclusive, one-quarter of the mastery count for the school year, (D) for school years commencing July 1, 1995, to July 1, 2006, inclusive, ten per cent of the number of eligible children, as defined in subdivision (1) of section 10-17e, for whom the board of education is not required to provide a program pursuant to section 10-17f, (E) for the school years commencing July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2012, inclusive, fifteen per cent of the number of eligible students, as defined in subdivision (1) of section 10-17e, for whom the board of education is not required to provide a program pursuant to section 10-17f, (F) for the school years commencing July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2012, inclusive, thirty-three per cent of the number of children below the level of poverty, and (G) for the school year commencing July 1, 2013, and each school year thereafter, thirty per cent of the number of children eligible for free or reduced price meals or free milk] twenty per cent of the number of students enrolled in HUSKY A on October first.
[(26)] (18) "Town wealth" means the average of a town's adjusted equalized net grand list divided by its total need students for the fiscal year prior to the year in which the grant is to be paid and its adjusted equalized net grand list divided by its population.
[(27)] (19) "Population" of a town means that enumerated in the most recent federal decennial census of population or that enumerated in the current population report series issued by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census available on January first of the fiscal year two years prior to the fiscal year in which a grant is to be paid, whichever is most recent; except that any town whose enumerated population residing in state and federal institutions within such town and attributed to such town by the census exceeds forty per cent of such "population" shall have its population adjusted as follows: Persons who are incarcerated or in custodial situations, including, but not limited to jails, prisons, hospitals or training schools or persons who reside in dormitory facilities in schools, colleges, universities or on military bases shall not be counted in the "population" of a town.
[(28) "Base revenue" for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, means the sum of the grant entitlements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, of a town pursuant to section 10-262h of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, and subsection (a) of section 10-76g, including its proportional share, based on enrollment, of the revenue paid pursuant to section 10-76g, to the regional district of which the town is a member, and for each fiscal year thereafter means the amount of each town's entitlement pursuant to section 10-262h of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, minus its density supplement, as determined pursuant to subdivision (6) of subsection (a) of section 10-262h of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, except that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, each town's entitlement shall be determined without using the adjustments made to the previous year's grant pursuant to subparagraph (M) of subdivision (6) of subsection (a) of section 10-262h of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, except that for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, each town's entitlement shall be determined without using the adjustments made to the previous year's grant pursuant to subparagraph (N) of subdivision (6) of subsection (a) of section 10-262h of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013.
(29) "Density" means the population of a town divided by the square miles of a town.
(30) "Density aid ratio" means the product of (A) the density of a town divided by the density of the town in the state with the highest density, and (B) .006273.
(31) "Mastery goal improvement count" means the product of (A) the difference between the percentage of state-wide mastery examination scores, pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-14n, at or above the mastery goal level for the most recently completed school year and the percentage of such scores for the prior school year, and (B) the resident students of the town, or zero, whichever is greater.
(32) "Target aid" means the sum of (A) the product of a town's base aid ratio, the foundation level and the town's total need students for the fiscal year prior to the year in which the grant is to be paid, (B) the product of a town's supplemental aid ratio, the foundation level and the sum of the portion of its total need students count described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (25) of this section for the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the grant is to be paid, and the adjustments to its resident student count described in subdivision (22) of this section relative to length of school year and summer school sessions, and (C) the town's regional bonus.]
[(33) "Fully funded grant"] (20) "Education cost sharing entitlement" means (A) for a town that is not a member of a regional school district initially established on or after July 1, 2020, the sum of [(A)] (i) the product of a town's base aid ratio, the foundation level and the town's total need students for the fiscal year prior to the year in which the grant is to be paid, and [(B)] (ii) the town's regional bonus, and (B) for a town that is a member of a regional school district initially established on or after July 1, 2020, the sum of (i) the product of the base aid ratio of the town with the highest base aid ratio among the member towns of the regional school district, the foundation level and the town's total need students for the fiscal year prior to the year in which the grant is to be paid, and (ii) the town's regional bonus.
[(34) "Number of children below the level of poverty" means the number of children, ages five to seventeen, inclusive, in families in poverty, as determined under Part A of Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110. The count for member towns of regional school districts shall be the sum of towns' initial determination under Title I and the proportionate share of the regional districts determination based member enrollment in the regional district.]
[(35)] (21) "Current program expenditures" means (A) total current educational expenditures less (B) expenditures for (i) land and capital building expenditures, and equipment otherwise supported by a state grant pursuant to chapter 173, including debt service, (ii) health services for nonpublic school children, and (iii) adult education, (C) expenditures directly attributable to (i) state grants received by or on behalf of school districts except grants for the categories of expenditures listed in subparagraphs (B)(i) to (B)(iii), inclusive, of this subdivision and except grants received pursuant to section 10-262i, as amended by this act, and section 10-262c of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 1987, and except grants received pursuant to chapter 173, (ii) federal grants received by or on behalf of school districts except for adult education and federal impact aid, and (iii) receipts from the operation of child nutrition services and student activities services, (D) expenditures of funds from private and other sources, and (E) tuition received on account of nonresident students. The town of Woodstock may include as part of the current expenses of its public schools for each school year the amount expended for current expenses in that year by Woodstock Academy from income from its endowment funds upon receipt from said academy of a certified statement of such current expenses. The town of Winchester may include as part of the current expenses of its public school for each school year the amount expended for current expenses in that year by the Gilbert School from income from its endowment funds upon receipt from said school of a certified statement of such current expenses.
[(36)] (22) "Current program expenditures per resident student" means, in any year, the current program expenditures of a town for such year divided by the number of resident students in the town for such school year.
[(37) "Base aid" means the amount of the grant pursuant to section 10-262h of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, that a town was eligible to receive for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013.
(38) "Local funding percentage" means that for the fiscal year two years prior to the fiscal year in which the grant is to be paid pursuant to section 10-262i, the number obtained by dividing (A) total current educational expenditures less (i) expenditures for (I) land and capital building expenditures, and equipment otherwise supported by a state grant pursuant to chapter 173, including debt service, (II) health services for nonpublic school children, and (III) adult education, (ii) expenditures directly attributable to (I) state grants received by or on behalf of school districts, except those grants for the categories of expenditures described in subparagraphs (A)(i)(I) to (A)(i)(III), inclusive, of this subdivision, and except grants received pursuant to chapter 173, (II) federal grants received by or on behalf of local or regional boards of education, except those grants for adult education and federal impact aid, and (III) receipts from the operation of child nutrition services and student activities services, (iii) expenditures of funds from private and other sources, and (iv) tuition received by the district for the education of nonresident students, by (B) total current educational expenditures less expenditures for (i) land and capital building expenditures, and equipment otherwise supported by a state grant pursuant to chapter 173, including debt service, (ii) health services for nonpublic school children, and (iii) adult education.
(39) "Minimum local funding percentage" means (A) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, twenty per cent, (B) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, twenty-one per cent, (C) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, twenty-two per cent, (D) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, twenty-three per cent, and (E) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, twenty-four per cent.
(40) "Number of children eligible for free or reduced price meals or free milk" means the number of pupils of the town enrolled in public schools at the expense of the town on October first or the full school day immediately preceding such date, in families that meet the income eligibility guidelines established by the federal Department of Agriculture for free or reduced price meals or free milk under the National School Lunch Program, established pursuant to P.L. 79-396.]
[(41)] (23) "Equalized net grand list per capita" means the equalized net grand list of a town divided by the population of such town.
[(42)] (24) "Equalized net grand list adjustment factor" means the ratio of the town's equalized net grant list per capita to one and [one-half] twenty-four one-hundredths times the town equalized net grand list per capita of the town with the median equalized net grand list per capita.
[(43)] (25) "Median household income adjustment factor" means the ratio of the median household income of the town to one and [one-half] twenty-four one-hundredths times the median household income of the town with the median household income when all towns are ranked according to median household income.
[(44)] (26) "Wealth adjustment factor" means one minus the sum of a town's equalized net grand list adjustment factor multiplied by ninety one-hundredths per cent and a town's median household income adjustment factor multiplied by ten one-hundredths per cent.
[(45)] (27) "Net current expenditures per resident student" means, in any school year, the net current expenditures, as defined in section 10-261, for such school year divided by the number of resident students in the town for such school year.
(28) "Number of students enrolled in HUSKY A" means the number of resident students of the town for the school year enrolled in HUSKY A on October first.
(29) "Adjusted equalization aid grant" means seventy-five per cent of the equalization aid grant for a town described in section 20 of public act 16-2 of the May special session.
(30) "Regional base aid ratio" means the base aid ratio of the town with the highest base aid ratio among the member towns of a regional school district initially established on or after July 1, 2020.
Sec. 2. Section 10-262h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
[(a) Obsolete.
(b) Obsolete.
(c) (1) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, each town shall receive an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to the sum of any amounts paid to such town pursuant to subsection (c) and subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-66ee, and the amount provided for in subdivision (2) of this subsection.
(2) Equalization aid grant amounts.
T1 Grant for Fiscal Year Grant for Fiscal Year
T2 Town 2016 2017
T3
T4 Andover 2,380,614 2,380,599
T5 Ansonia 16,641,477 16,641,477
T6 Ashford 3,933,350 3,933,350
T7 Avon 1,233,415 1,233,415
T8 Barkhamsted 1,678,323 1,678,295
T9 Beacon Falls 4,155,524 4,155,471
T10 Berlin 6,381,659 6,381,544
T11 Bethany 2,063,112 2,063,088
T12 Bethel 8,316,869 8,316,768
T13 Bethlehem 1,319,337 1,319,337
T14 Bloomfield 6,319,698 6,319,698
T15 Bolton 3,052,646 3,052,630
T16 Bozrah 1,255,401 1,255,387
T17 Branford 2,119,926 2,426,993
T18 Bridgeport 182,266,724 182,266,724
T19 Bridgewater 137,292 137,292
T20 Bristol 45,705,925 45,705,925
T21 Brookfield 1,564,515 1,564,493
T22 Brooklyn 7,110,490 7,110,430
T23 Burlington 4,439,634 4,439,537
T24 Canaan 209,258 209,258
T25 Canterbury 4,754,383 4,754,383
T26 Canton 3,488,569 3,488,492
T27 Chaplin 1,893,763 1,893,763
T28 Cheshire 9,664,954 9,664,625
T29 Chester 691,462 691,432
T30 Clinton 6,502,667 6,502,667
T31 Colchester 13,772,585 13,772,530
T32 Colebrook 508,008 508,008
T33 Columbia 2,589,653 2,589,623
T34 Cornwall 85,322 85,322
T35 Coventry 8,942,234 8,942,206
T36 Cromwell 4,663,336 4,754,798
T37 Danbury 30,705,677 31,698,975
T38 Darien 1,616,006 1,616,006
T39 Deep River 1,727,412 1,727,394
T40 Derby 8,001,514 8,001,514
T41 Durham 3,993,506 3,993,506
T42 East Granby 1,435,957 1,481,760
T43 East Haddam 3,791,594 3,791,563
T44 East Hampton 7,715,347 7,715,291
T45 East Hartford 49,563,484 49,563,484
T46 East Haven 20,004,233 20,004,233
T47 East Lyme 7,138,163 7,138,163
T48 East Windsor 5,810,543 5,810,543
T49 Eastford 1,116,844 1,116,844
T50 Easton 593,868 593,868
T51 Ellington 9,822,206 9,822,009
T52 Enfield 29,196,275 29,195,835
T53 Essex 389,697 389,697
T54 Fairfield 3,590,008 3,590,008
T55 Farmington 1,611,013 1,611,013
T56 Franklin 948,235 948,235
T57 Glastonbury 6,773,356 6,921,094
T58 Goshen 218,188 218,188
T59 Granby 5,603,808 5,603,665
T60 Greenwich 3,418,642 3,418,642
T61 Griswold 10,977,669 10,977,557
T62 Groton 25,625,179 25,625,179
T63 Guilford 3,058,981 3,058,981
T64 Haddam 1,925,611 2,034,708
T65 Hamden 27,131,137 27,131,137
T66 Hampton 1,339,928 1,339,928
T67 Hartford 201,777,130 201,777,130
T68 Hartland 1,358,660 1,358,660
T69 Harwinton 2,779,898 2,779,876
T70 Hebron 7,021,279 7,021,219
T71 Kent 167,342 167,342
T72 Killingly 15,871,254 15,871,254
T73 Killingworth 2,245,206 2,245,206
T74 Lebanon 5,524,550 5,524,550
T75 Ledyard 12,217,314 12,217,227
T76 Lisbon 3,927,193 3,927,193
T77 Litchfield 1,525,262 1,525,242
T78 Lyme 145,556 145,556
T79 Madison 1,576,061 1,576,061
T80 Manchester 34,864,748 34,864,748
T81 Mansfield 10,187,542 10,187,506
T82 Marlborough 3,234,990 3,234,918
T83 Meriden 60,812,457 60,812,457
T84 Middlebury 814,636 914,010
T85 Middlefield 2,153,551 2,153,527
T86 Middletown 19,861,550 19,861,550
T87 Milford 11,381,824 11,381,824
T88 Monroe 6,616,696 6,616,669
T89 Montville 12,858,302 12,858,140
T90 Morris 657,975 657,975
T91 Naugatuck 30,831,003 30,831,003
T92 New Britain 86,678,662 86,678,662
T93 New Canaan 1,495,604 1,495,604
T94 New Fairfield 4,492,869 4,492,822
T95 New Hartford 3,197,865 3,197,830
T96 New Haven 155,328,620 155,328,620
T97 New London 26,058,803 26,058,803
T98 New Milford 12,170,243 12,170,141
T99 Newington 13,226,771 13,226,394
T100 Newtown 4,760,009 5,105,657
T101 Norfolk 381,414 381,414
T102 North Branford 8,270,161 8,270,110
T103 North Canaan 2,091,790 2,091,790
T104 North Haven 3,677,315 4,023,706
T105 North Stonington 2,906,538 2,906,538
T106 Norwalk 11,551,095 11,551,095
T107 Norwich 36,577,969 36,577,969
T108 Old Lyme 605,586 605,586
T109 Old Saybrook 652,677 652,677
T110 Orange 1,350,098 1,623,431
T111 Oxford 4,677,464 4,677,464
T112 Plainfield 15,642,779 15,642,685
T113 Plainville 10,507,328 10,507,145
T114 Plymouth 9,952,004 9,951,918
T115 Pomfret 3,136,587 3,136,587
T116 Portland 4,440,331 4,440,226
T117 Preston 3,079,403 3,079,401
T118 Prospect 5,425,749 5,425,694
T119 Putnam 8,498,260 8,498,260
T120 Redding 687,733 687,733
T121 Ridgefield 2,063,814 2,063,814
T122 Rocky Hill 3,946,076 4,396,918
T123 Roxbury 158,114 158,114
T124 Salem 3,114,216 3,114,216
T125 Salisbury 187,266 187,266
T126 Scotland 1,450,663 1,450,663
T127 Seymour 10,179,589 10,179,389
T128 Sharon 145,798 145,798
T129 Shelton 5,706,910 6,199,810
T130 Sherman 244,327 244,327
T131 Simsbury 5,954,768 6,264,852
T132 Somers 6,068,653 6,068,546
T133 South Windsor 13,159,658 13,159,496
T134 Southbury 3,034,452 3,606,189
T135 Southington 20,621,655 20,621,165
T136 Sprague 2,661,506 2,661,473
T137 Stafford 9,981,310 9,981,252
T138 Stamford 10,885,284 11,109,306
T139 Sterling 3,257,690 3,257,637
T140 Stonington 2,079,926 2,079,926
T141 Stratford 21,821,740 21,820,886
T142 Suffield 6,345,468 6,345,284
T143 Thomaston 5,740,782 5,740,750
T144 Thompson 7,682,218 7,682,218
T145 Tolland 10,929,052 10,928,981
T146 Torrington 24,780,972 24,780,540
T147 Trumbull 3,481,940 3,703,712
T148 Union 243,880 243,877
T149 Vernon 19,650,126 19,650,126
T150 Voluntown 2,550,166 2,550,166
T151 Wallingford 21,866,589 21,866,413
T152 Warren 99,777 99,777
T153 Washington 240,147 240,147
T154 Waterbury 134,528,710 134,528,710
T155 Waterford 1,485,842 1,485,842
T156 Watertown 12,035,017 12,034,849
T157 West Hartford 19,872,200 21,469,839
T158 West Haven 45,996,566 45,996,566
T159 Westbrook 427,677 427,677
T160 Weston 948,564 948,564
T161 Westport 1,988,255 1,988,255
T162 Wethersfield 9,022,122 9,548,677
T163 Willington 3,718,418 3,718,418
T164 Wilton 1,557,195 1,557,195
T165 Winchester 8,187,980 8,187,980
T166 Windham 26,816,024 26,816,024
T167 Windsor 12,476,044 12,476,044
T168 Windsor Locks 5,274,785 5,274,785
T169 Wolcott 13,696,541 13,696,541
T170 Woodbridge 732,889 732,889
T171 Woodbury 1,106,713 1,347,989
T172 Woodstock 5,473,998 5,473,975]
T1
Grant for Fiscal Year
Grant for Fiscal Year
T2
Town
2016
2017
T3
T4
Andover
2,380,614
2,380,599
T5
Ansonia
16,641,477
16,641,477
T6
Ashford
3,933,350
3,933,350
T7
Avon
1,233,415
1,233,415
T8
Barkhamsted
1,678,323
1,678,295
T9
Beacon Falls
4,155,524
4,155,471
T10
Berlin
6,381,659
6,381,544
T11
Bethany
2,063,112
2,063,088
T12
Bethel
8,316,869
8,316,768
T13
Bethlehem
1,319,337
1,319,337
T14
Bloomfield
6,319,698
6,319,698
T15
Bolton
3,052,646
3,052,630
T16
Bozrah
1,255,401
1,255,387
T17
Branford
2,119,926
2,426,993
T18
Bridgeport
182,266,724
182,266,724
T19
Bridgewater
137,292
137,292
T20
Bristol
45,705,925
45,705,925
T21
Brookfield
1,564,515
1,564,493
T22
Brooklyn
7,110,490
7,110,430
T23
Burlington
4,439,634
4,439,537
T24
Canaan
209,258
209,258
T25
Canterbury
4,754,383
4,754,383
T26
Canton
3,488,569
3,488,492
T27
Chaplin
1,893,763
1,893,763
T28
Cheshire
9,664,954
9,664,625
T29
Chester
691,462
691,432
T30
Clinton
6,502,667
6,502,667
T31
Colchester
13,772,585
13,772,530
T32
Colebrook
508,008
508,008
T33
Columbia
2,589,653
2,589,623
T34
Cornwall
85,322
85,322
T35
Coventry
8,942,234
8,942,206
T36
Cromwell
4,663,336
4,754,798
T37
Danbury
30,705,677
31,698,975
T38
Darien
1,616,006
1,616,006
T39
Deep River
1,727,412
1,727,394
T40
Derby
8,001,514
8,001,514
T41
Durham
3,993,506
3,993,506
T42
East Granby
1,435,957
1,481,760
T43
East Haddam
3,791,594
3,791,563
T44
East Hampton
7,715,347
7,715,291
T45
East Hartford
49,563,484
49,563,484
T46
East Haven
20,004,233
20,004,233
T47
East Lyme
7,138,163
7,138,163
T48
East Windsor
5,810,543
5,810,543
T49
Eastford
1,116,844
1,116,844
T50
Easton
593,868
593,868
T51
Ellington
9,822,206
9,822,009
T52
Enfield
29,196,275
29,195,835
T53
Essex
389,697
389,697
T54
Fairfield
3,590,008
3,590,008
T55
Farmington
1,611,013
1,611,013
T56
Franklin
948,235
948,235
T57
Glastonbury
6,773,356
6,921,094
T58
Goshen
218,188
218,188
T59
Granby
5,603,808
5,603,665
T60
Greenwich
3,418,642
3,418,642
T61
Griswold
10,977,669
10,977,557
T62
Groton
25,625,179
25,625,179
T63
Guilford
3,058,981
3,058,981
T64
Haddam
1,925,611
2,034,708
T65
Hamden
27,131,137
27,131,137
T66
Hampton
1,339,928
1,339,928
T67
Hartford
201,777,130
201,777,130
T68
Hartland
1,358,660
1,358,660
T69
Harwinton
2,779,898
2,779,876
T70
Hebron
7,021,279
7,021,219
T71
Kent
167,342
167,342
T72
Killingly
15,871,254
15,871,254
T73
Killingworth
2,245,206
2,245,206
T74
Lebanon
5,524,550
5,524,550
T75
Ledyard
12,217,314
12,217,227
T76
Lisbon
3,927,193
3,927,193
T77
Litchfield
1,525,262
1,525,242
T78
Lyme
145,556
145,556
T79
Madison
1,576,061
1,576,061
T80
Manchester
34,864,748
34,864,748
T81
Mansfield
10,187,542
10,187,506
T82
Marlborough
3,234,990
3,234,918
T83
Meriden
60,812,457
60,812,457
T84
Middlebury
814,636
914,010
T85
Middlefield
2,153,551
2,153,527
T86
Middletown
19,861,550
19,861,550
T87
Milford
11,381,824
11,381,824
T88
Monroe
6,616,696
6,616,669
T89
Montville
12,858,302
12,858,140
T90
Morris
657,975
657,975
T91
Naugatuck
30,831,003
30,831,003
T92
New Britain
86,678,662
86,678,662
T93
New Canaan
1,495,604
1,495,604
T94
New Fairfield
4,492,869
4,492,822
T95
New Hartford
3,197,865
3,197,830
T96
New Haven
155,328,620
155,328,620
T97
New London
26,058,803
26,058,803
T98
New Milford
12,170,243
12,170,141
T99
Newington
13,226,771
13,226,394
T100
Newtown
4,760,009
5,105,657
T101
Norfolk
381,414
381,414
T102
North Branford
8,270,161
8,270,110
T103
North Canaan
2,091,790
2,091,790
T104
North Haven
3,677,315
4,023,706
T105
North Stonington
2,906,538
2,906,538
T106
Norwalk
11,551,095
11,551,095
T107
Norwich
36,577,969
36,577,969
T108
Old Lyme
605,586
605,586
T109
Old Saybrook
652,677
652,677
T110
Orange
1,350,098
1,623,431
T111
Oxford
4,677,464
4,677,464
T112
Plainfield
15,642,779
15,642,685
T113
Plainville
10,507,328
10,507,145
T114
Plymouth
9,952,004
9,951,918
T115
Pomfret
3,136,587
3,136,587
T116
Portland
4,440,331
4,440,226
T117
Preston
3,079,403
3,079,401
T118
Prospect
5,425,749
5,425,694
T119
Putnam
8,498,260
8,498,260
T120
Redding
687,733
687,733
T121
Ridgefield
2,063,814
2,063,814
T122
Rocky Hill
3,946,076
4,396,918
T123
Roxbury
158,114
158,114
T124
Salem
3,114,216
3,114,216
T125
Salisbury
187,266
187,266
T126
Scotland
1,450,663
1,450,663
T127
Seymour
10,179,589
10,179,389
T128
Sharon
145,798
145,798
T129
Shelton
5,706,910
6,199,810
T130
Sherman
244,327
244,327
T131
Simsbury
5,954,768
6,264,852
T132
Somers
6,068,653
6,068,546
T133
South Windsor
13,159,658
13,159,496
T134
Southbury
3,034,452
3,606,189
T135
Southington
20,621,655
20,621,165
T136
Sprague
2,661,506
2,661,473
T137
Stafford
9,981,310
9,981,252
T138
Stamford
10,885,284
11,109,306
T139
Sterling
3,257,690
3,257,637
T140
Stonington
2,079,926
2,079,926
T141
Stratford
21,821,740
21,820,886
T142
Suffield
6,345,468
6,345,284
T143
Thomaston
5,740,782
5,740,750
T144
Thompson
7,682,218
7,682,218
T145
Tolland
10,929,052
10,928,981
T146
Torrington
24,780,972
24,780,540
T147
Trumbull
3,481,940
3,703,712
T148
Union
243,880
243,877
T149
Vernon
19,650,126
19,650,126
T150
Voluntown
2,550,166
2,550,166
T151
Wallingford
21,866,589
21,866,413
T152
Warren
99,777
99,777
T153
Washington
240,147
240,147
T154
Waterbury
134,528,710
134,528,710
T155
Waterford
1,485,842
1,485,842
T156
Watertown
12,035,017
12,034,849
T157
West Hartford
19,872,200
21,469,839
T158
West Haven
45,996,566
45,996,566
T159
Westbrook
427,677
427,677
T160
Weston
948,564
948,564
T161
Westport
1,988,255
1,988,255
T162
Wethersfield
9,022,122
9,548,677
T163
Willington
3,718,418
3,718,418
T164
Wilton
1,557,195
1,557,195
T165
Winchester
8,187,980
8,187,980
T166
Windham
26,816,024
26,816,024
T167
Windsor
12,476,044
12,476,044
T168
Windsor Locks
5,274,785
5,274,785
T169
Wolcott
13,696,541
13,696,541
T170
Woodbridge
732,889
732,889
T171
Woodbury
1,106,713
1,347,989
T172
Woodstock
5,473,998
5,473,975]
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, each town maintaining public schools according to law shall be entitled to an equalization aid grant equal to the town's education cost-sharing entitlement.
Sec. 3. Section 10-262i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1990, and for each fiscal year thereafter, each town shall be paid a grant equal to the amount the town is entitled to receive under the provisions of section 10-262h, as amended by this act. Such grant, excluding any amounts paid to a town pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) and subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-66ee, as amended by this act, shall be calculated using the data of record as of the December first prior to the fiscal year such grant is to be paid, adjusted for the difference between the final entitlement for the prior fiscal year and the preliminary entitlement for such fiscal year as calculated using the data of record as of the December first prior to the fiscal year when such grant was paid.
(b) (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, the amount due each town pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be paid by the Comptroller, upon certification of the Commissioner of Education, to the treasurer of each town entitled to such aid in installments during the fiscal year as follows: Twenty-five per cent of the grant in October, twenty-five per cent of the grant in January and the balance of the grant in April. The balance of the grant due towns under the provisions of this subsection shall be paid in March rather than April to any town which has not adopted the uniform fiscal year and which would not otherwise receive such final payment within the fiscal year of such town.
(2) Any amount due to a town pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) and subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-66ee, as amended by this act, shall be paid by the Comptroller, upon certification of the Commissioner of Education, to the treasurer of each town entitled to such amount pursuant to the schedule established in section 10-66ee, as amended by this act.
(3) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2016, the amount due to the town of Winchester pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall be paid by the Comptroller, upon certification of the Commissioner of Education, to the treasurer of the town of Winchester in installments during said fiscal years as follows: Fifty per cent of the grant in October, twenty-five per cent of the grant in January and twenty-five per cent of the grant in April.
(c) [All] Except as otherwise provided in subsections (f) and (g) of this section, all aid distributed to a town pursuant to the provisions of this section and section 10-262u, as amended by this act, shall be expended for educational purposes only and shall be expended upon the authorization of the local or regional board of education and in accordance with the provisions of section 10-262u, as amended by this act. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, and each fiscal year thereafter, if a town receives an increase in funds pursuant to this section over the amount it received for the prior fiscal year, such increase shall not be used to supplant local funding for educational purposes. The budgeted appropriation for education in any town receiving an increase in funds pursuant to this section shall be not less than the amount appropriated for education for the prior year plus such increase in funds.
(d) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, if the amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, pursuant to section 20 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, is greater than the amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-262h, as amended by this act, such amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, minus such amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, shall be the aid increase for such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017.
(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, if the amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, pursuant to section 20 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, is less than the amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-262h, as amended by this act, such amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, minus such amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, shall be the aid reduction for such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017.
(3) (A) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each year thereafter, if the amount of the equalization aid grant a town is entitled to pursuant to 10-262h, as amended by this act, in the current fiscal year is greater than the amount of the equalization aid grant amount for a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, described in section 20 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, such amount for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, minus such amount for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, shall be the aid increase for such town for the current fiscal year.
(B) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, and each fiscal year thereafter, if the amount of the education cost-sharing entitlement for a town for the current fiscal year is greater than the amount of the education cost-sharing entitlement for such town for the prior fiscal year, such amount for the current fiscal year minus such amount for the prior fiscal year shall be the aid increase for such town for the current fiscal year.
(4) (A) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each year thereafter, if the amount of the equalization aid grant a town is entitled to pursuant to section 10-262h, as amended by this act, in the current fiscal year is less than the amount of the adjusted equalization aid grant amount for a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, described in section 20 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, such amount for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, minus such amount for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, shall be the aid reduction for such town for the current fiscal year.
(B) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, and each fiscal year thereafter, if the amount of the education cost-sharing entitlement for a town for the current fiscal year is less than the amount of the education cost-sharing entitlement for such town for the prior fiscal year, such amount for the prior fiscal year minus such amount for the current fiscal year shall be the aid reduction for such town for the current fiscal year.
(e) [Upon] Except as otherwise provided in subsections (f) and (g) of this section, upon a determination by the State Board of Education that a town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district failed in any fiscal year to meet the requirements pursuant to subsection (c) [or (d)] of this section or section 10-262j, as amended by this act, the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district shall forfeit an amount equal to two times the amount of the shortfall. The amount so forfeited shall be withheld by the Department of Education from the grant payable to the town in the second fiscal year immediately following such failure by deducting such amount from the town's equalization aid grant payment pursuant to this section, except that in the case of a kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district, the amount so forfeited shall be withheld by the Department of Education from the grants payable pursuant to this section to the towns which are members of such regional school district. The amounts deducted from such grants to each member town shall be proportional to the number of resident students in each member town. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the State Board of Education may waive such forfeiture upon agreement with the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district that the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district shall increase its budgeted appropriation for education during the fiscal year in which the forfeiture would occur by an amount not less than the amount of said forfeiture or for other good cause shown. Any additional funds budgeted pursuant to such an agreement shall not be included in a district's budgeted appropriation for education for the purpose of establishing any future minimum budget requirement.
(f) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the State Board of Education may grant a waiver from the provisions of subsection (e) of this section to a town that can demonstrate that it is unable to comply with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section and section 10-262j, as amended by this act, due to financial hardship. Not later than December 15, 2017, the state board shall adopt (1) a procedure for local and regional boards of education to apply for such waiver, and (2) standards for what constitutes a financial hardship. The state board shall post such procedure and standards on the Department of Education's Internet web site.
(g) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the aid increase of a town may be expended for educational purposes.
Sec. 4. Section 10-262j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
[(a) Except as otherwise provided under the provisions of subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, the budgeted appropriation for education shall be not less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, plus any aid increase described in subsection (d) of section 10-262i, except that a town may reduce its budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, by one or more of the following:
(1) Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is equal to or greater than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2013, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed one and one-half per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than one and one-half per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;
(2) Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is less than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2013, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed three per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than three per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;
(3) Any district (A) that does not maintain a high school and pays tuition to another school district pursuant to section 10-33 for resident students to attend high school in another district, and (B) in which the number of resident students attending high school for such district for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, is lower than such district's number of resident students attending high school for October 1, 2013, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students attending high school for such years multiplied by the amount of tuition paid per student pursuant to section 10-33; or
(4) Any district that realizes new and documentable savings through increased district efficiencies approved by the Commissioner of Education or through regional collaboration or cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education in an amount equal to half of the amount of savings experienced as a result of such district efficiencies, regional collaboration or cooperative arrangement, provided such reduction shall not exceed one-half of one per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.]
[(b)] (a) Except as otherwise provided under the provisions of [subsections] subsection (c) [to (e), inclusive,] of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2017] 2018, the budgeted appropriation for education shall be not less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2016, plus any aid increase received pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-262i] 2017, except that a town may reduce its budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2017] 2018, by one or more of the following:
(1) If a town experiences an aid reduction, as described in subsection (d) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, such town may reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount equal to the aid reduction;
[(2) Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is equal to or greater than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2015, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed one and one-half per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than one and one-half per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;
(3) Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is less than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2015, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student, as defined in subdivision (45) of section 10-262f, of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed three per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than three per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;]
[(4)] (2) Any district (A) that does not maintain a high school and pays tuition to another school district pursuant to section 10-33 for resident students to attend high school in another district, and (B) in which the number of resident students attending high school for such district for October 1, [2015] 2016, using the data of record as of January 31, [2016] 2017, is lower than such district's number of resident students attending high school for October 1, [2014] 2015, using the data of record as of January 31, [2016] 2017, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students attending high school for such years multiplied by the amount of tuition paid per student pursuant to section 10-33; or
[(5)] (3) Any district that realizes new and documentable savings [through increased district efficiencies] approved by the Commissioner of Education through increased district efficiencies or through regional collaboration or cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education in an amount equal to [half of the amount of] the approved savings experienced as a result of such district efficiencies, regional collaboration or cooperative arrangement, provided such reduction shall not exceed one-half of one per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2015] 2017.
(b) Except as otherwise provided under the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the budgeted appropriation for education for a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, as amended by this act, shall be not less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, plus any aid increase received pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, except that a town may reduce its budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, by one or more of the following:
(1) Any alliance district (A) that does not maintain a high school and pays tuition to another school district pursuant to section 10-33 for resident students to attend high school in another district, and (B) in which the number of resident students attending high school for such alliance district for October 1, 2016, using the data of record as of January 31, 2017, is lower than such alliance district's number of resident students attending high school for October 1, 2015, using the data of record as of January 31, 2017, may reduce such alliance district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students attending high school for such years multiplied by the amount of tuition paid per student pursuant to section 10-33; or
(2) Any alliance district that realizes new and documentable savings approved by the Commissioner of Education through increased district efficiencies or through regional collaboration or cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a may reduce such alliance district's budgeted appropriation for education in an amount equal to the approved savings experienced as a result of such district efficiencies, regional collaboration or cooperative arrangement, provided such reduction shall not exceed one-half of one per cent of the alliance district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.
(c) For the fiscal years ending June 30, [2016] 2018, and June 30, [2017] 2019, the Commissioner of Education may permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount determined by the commissioner if the school district in such town has permanently ceased operations and closed one or more schools in the school district due to declining enrollment at such closed school or schools in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, [2016] 2019, inclusive.
[(d) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, a town currently designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, or formerly designated as an alliance district shall not reduce its budgeted appropriation for education pursuant to this section.
(e) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any district that is in the top ten per cent of school districts based on the accountability index, as defined in section 10-223e.]
[(f)] (d) For the fiscal years ending June 30, [2016] 2018, and June 30, [2017] 2019, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the member towns of a regional school district during the first full fiscal year following the establishment of the regional school district, provided the budgeted appropriation for education for member towns of such regional school district for each subsequent fiscal year shall be determined in accordance with this section.
(e) Not later than January 15, 2018, the Department of Education shall develop recommendations for a replacement measure for the minimum budget requirement and submit such recommendations to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management 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.
Sec. 5. Section 10-262u of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) As used in this section and section 10-262i, as amended by this act:
(1) "Alliance district" means a school district that is in a town that is among the towns with the lowest accountability index scores.
(2) "Promise district" means a school district that was designated as an alliance district in the prior fiscal year but is not designated as an alliance district in the current fiscal year.
[(2)] (3) "Accountability index" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-223e, as amended by this act.
[(3)] (4) "Mastery test data of record" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-262f, as amended by this act.
[(4) "Educational reform district"] (5) "Opportunity district" means a school district that is in a town that is among the ten lowest accountability index scores when all towns are ranked highest to lowest in accountability index scores.
(b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, the Commissioner of Education shall designate thirty school districts as alliance districts. Any school district designated as an alliance district for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, shall be so designated for a period of five years. [On or before June 30, 2016] For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and every fourth fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Education shall, [determine if there are any additional alliance districts] within available appropriations, designate not more than twenty alliance districts, which shall be so designated for a period of three years.
(2) Any school district designated as a promise district under this section shall be so designated for a period a three years and shall not be so designated twice consecutively.
(c) (1) (A) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, the Comptroller shall withhold from a town designated as an alliance district any increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the prior fiscal year pursuant to section 10-262h, as amended by this act. The Comptroller shall transfer such funds to the Commissioner of Education. (B) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2014, to June 30, 2016, inclusive, the Comptroller shall withhold from a town designated as an alliance district any increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act. (C) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, the Comptroller shall withhold from a town designated as an alliance district any increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, minus the aid reduction, as described in subsection (d) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act. (D) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the Comptroller shall withhold from a town designated as an alliance district any increase in funds received in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, over the amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act. The Comptroller shall transfer such funds to the Commissioner of Education.
(2) [Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subsection (d) of this section] In the case of an alliance district or a promise district that is not an opportunity district, the Commissioner of Education may pay such funds to the town designated as an alliance district or a promise district and such town shall pay all such funds to the local or regional board of education for such town on the condition that such funds shall be (A) used to improve student achievement in such alliance district or promise district and to offset any other local education costs approved by the commissioner, and (B) expended in accordance with [the plan described in subsection (d) of this section] any requirements that may be established by the commissioner, the provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, and any guidelines developed by the State Board of Education for such funds. [Such funds shall be used to improve student achievement in such alliance district and to offset any other local education costs approved by the commissioner.]
(3) No promise district shall receive any funds under this section unless such promise district submits a sustainability plan to the commissioner, at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, concerning the school district's transition out of designation as an alliance district or a promise district, with funding pursuant to section 10-262i, as amended by this act, after completion of the period of its designation as a promise district. Such sustainability plan shall include, but need not be limited to, a description of how such promise district will sustain its academic performance, and provide appropriate funding, in such areas as may be identified by the commissioner.
(d) (1) The local or regional board of education for a town designated as an [alliance] opportunity district may apply to the Commissioner of Education, at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, to receive any increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the [prior] fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act.
(2) Applications pursuant to this subsection shall include objectives and performance targets and a plan that may include, but not be limited to, the following: [(1)] (A) A tiered system of interventions for the schools under the jurisdiction of such board based on the needs of such schools, [(2)] (B) ways to strengthen the foundational programs in reading, through the intensive reading instruction program pursuant to section 10-14u, to ensure reading mastery in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, with a focus on standards and instruction, proper use of data, intervention strategies, current information for teachers, parental engagement, and teacher professional development, [(3)] (C) additional learning time, including extended school day or school year programming administered by school personnel or external partners, [(4)] (D) a talent strategy that includes, but is not limited to, teacher and school leader recruitment and assignment, career ladder policies that draw upon guidelines for a model teacher evaluation program adopted by the State Board of Education, pursuant to section 10-151b, and adopted by each local or regional board of education. Such talent strategy may include provisions that demonstrate increased ability to attract, retain, promote and bolster the performance of staff in accordance with performance evaluation findings and, in the case of new personnel, other indicators of effectiveness, [(5)] (E) training for school leaders and other staff on new teacher evaluation models, [(6)] (F) provisions for the cooperation and coordination with early childhood education providers to ensure alignment with district expectations for student entry into kindergarten, including funding for an existing local Head Start program, [(7)] (G) provisions for the cooperation and coordination with other governmental and community programs to ensure that students receive adequate support and wraparound services, including community school models, [(8)] (H) provisions for implementing and furthering state-wide education standards adopted by the State Board of Education and all activities and initiatives associated with such standards, [(9)] (I) strategies for attracting and recruiting minority teachers and administrators, [(10)] (J) provisions for the enhancement of bilingual education programs, pursuant to section 10-17f, or other language acquisition services to English language learners, including, but not limited to, participation in the English language learner pilot program, established pursuant to section 10-17n, and [(11)] (K) any additional categories or goals as determined by the commissioner. Such plan shall demonstrate collaboration with key stakeholders, as identified by the commissioner, with the goal of achieving efficiencies and the alignment of intent and practice of current programs with conditional programs identified in this subsection. The commissioner may [(A)] (i) require changes in any plan submitted by a local or regional board of education before the commissioner approves an application under this subsection, and [(B)] (ii) permit a local or regional board of education, as part of such plan, to use a portion of any funds received under this section for the purposes of paying tuition charged to such board pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 10-264l or subsection (b) of section 10-264o.
(3) Upon receipt of an application pursuant to this subsection, the commissioner may pay such funds to the town designated as an opportunity district and such town shall pay all such funds to the local or regional board of education for such town on the condition that such funds shall be expended in accordance with the plan described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, any additional requirements that may be established by the commissioner, the provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, and any guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education for such funds. Such funds shall be used to improve student achievement in such district and to offset any other local education costs approved by the commissioner.
(e) The State Board of Education may develop guidelines and criteria for the administration of [such] funds under this section.
(f) The commissioner may withhold [such] funds under this section if the local or regional board of education fails to comply with the provisions of this section. The commissioner may renew such funding if the local or regional board of education provides evidence that the school district of such board is complying with applicable requirements, and in the case of an opportunity district, that the opportunity district is achieving the objectives and performance targets approved by the commissioner stated in the plan submitted under subsection (d) of this section.
(g) Any local or regional board of education receiving funding under this section shall submit an annual expenditure report to the commissioner on such form and in such manner as requested by the commissioner. The commissioner shall determine if (1) the local or regional board of education shall repay any funds not expended in accordance with the [approved application] provisions of this section to the school district governed by such board of education, or (2) such funding should be reduced in a subsequent fiscal year up to an amount equal to the amount that the commissioner determines is out of compliance with the provisions of this subsection.
(h) Any balance remaining for each local or regional board of education at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward for such local or regional board of education for the next fiscal year.
Sec. 6. Section 10-223e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Accountability index" means the score resulting from multiple student, school or district-level measures, as weighted by the Department of Education, that (A) shall include the performance index score and high school graduation rates, and (B) may include, but need not be limited to, academic growth over time, attendance and chronic absenteeism, postsecondary education and career readiness, enrollment in and graduation from institutions of higher education and postsecondary education programs, civics and arts education and physical fitness.
(2) "Performance index" means the score, as calculated by the Department of Education using the mastery test data of record, assigned to student subgroups, schools or districts.
(3) "Mastery test data of record" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-262f, as amended by this act.
(4) "Category five schools" means schools with the lowest performance as indicated by factors set forth in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, that may include, but are not limited to, the accountability index.
(5) "Category four schools" means schools with the lowest performance other than category five schools as indicated by factors set forth in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, that may include, but are not limited to, the accountability index.
(6) "Category three schools" means schools with higher performance than category four and five schools, but lower performance than category one and two schools as indicated by factors set forth in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, that may include, but are not limited to, the accountability index.
(7) "Category two schools" means schools that have higher performance than category three, category four and category five schools, but lower performance than category one schools as indicated by factors set forth in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, that may include, but are not limited to, the accountability index.
(8) "Category one schools" means schools that have the highest performance as indicated by factors set forth in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, that may include, but are not limited to, the accountability index.
(9) "Focus school" [has the same meaning as "focus school" as described in the United States Department of Education's ESEA Flexibility policy document, updated June 7, 2012] means a school with consistently underperforming subgroups, as described in the Every Student Succeeds Act, P.L. 114-95.
(b) (1) For the school years commencing July 1, 2002, to July 1, 2011, inclusive, in conformance with the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, the Commissioner of Education shall prepare a state-wide education accountability plan, consistent with federal law and regulation. Such plan shall identify the schools and districts in need of improvement, require the development and implementation of improvement plans and utilize rewards and consequences.
(2) For the school years commencing July 1, 2012, to July 1, 2014, inclusive, the Department of Education shall prepare a state-wide performance management and support plan, consistent with federal law and regulation. Such plan shall (A) identify districts in need of improvement, (B) classify schools as category one, two, three, four or five schools based on their school performance index and other factors, and (C) identify focus schools.
(3) For the school year commencing July 1, 2015, and each school year thereafter, the Department of Education shall prepare a state-wide performance management and support plan, consistent with federal law and regulation. Such plan shall (A) identify districts in need of improvement, (B) classify schools as category one, two, three, four or five schools based on the accountability index, and (C) identify focus schools.
[(c) (1) Public schools identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-223b of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2001, as schools in need of improvement shall: (A) Continue to be identified as schools in need of improvement, and continue to operate under school improvement plans developed pursuant to said section 10-223b through June 30, 2004; (B) on or before February 1, 2003, be evaluated by the local board of education and determined to be making sufficient or insufficient progress; (C) if found to be making insufficient progress by a local board of education, be subject to a new remediation and organization plan developed by the local board of education; (D) continue to be eligible for available federal or state aid; (E) beginning in February, 2003, and ending June 30, 2012, be monitored by the Department of Education for adequate yearly progress, as defined in the state accountability plan prepared in accordance with subsection (a) of this section; and (F) be subject to rewards and consequences as defined in said plan.
(2) Public schools and school districts identified by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-223e of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes, as schools or districts in need of improvement pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-223e of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes, or low achieving schools or districts pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 10-223e of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes shall: (A) Continue to be identified as schools in need of improvement and low achieving schools, and continue to operate under a state accountability plan prepared in accordance with the provisions of section 10-223e of the 2012 supplement to the general statutes, through June 30, 2012; (B) on or before July 1, 2012, be evaluated by the local or regional board of education and determined to be making adequate yearly progress; (C) if found to be failing to make adequate yearly progress by a local or regional board of education, be subject to the state-wide performance management and support plan prepared in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section; (D) continue to be eligible for available federal or state aid; (E) beginning July 1, 2012, be monitored by the Department of Education to determine if student achievement for such school or district is at an acceptable level, as defined in the state-wide performance management and support plan prepared in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section; and (F) be subject to rewards and consequences as defined in such state-wide performance management and support plan.]
[(d)] (c) (1) For those schools classified as category three schools, the department may require such schools to (A) develop and implement plans consistent with this section and federal law to elevate [the school from low achieving status] levels of student achievement, and (B) be the subject of actions as described in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared in accordance with the provisions of [subdivision (2) of] subsection (b) of this section.
(2) For those schools classified as category three schools, the department may require the local or regional board of education for such schools to collaborate with the regional educational service center that serves the area in which such schools are located to develop plans to ensure such schools provide (A) early education opportunities, (B) summer school, (C) extended school day or year programming, (D) weekend classes, (E) tutorial assistance to their students, or (F) professional development to their administrators, principals, teachers and paraprofessionals. In requiring any educational program authorized by this subdivision, the Commissioner of Education may limit the offering of such program to the subgroup of students that have failed to reach performance benchmarks or those in transitional or milestone grades or those who are otherwise at substantial risk of educational failure as described in the state-wide performance management and support plan, prepared in accordance with the provisions of [subdivision (2)] of subsection (b) of this section.
[(e)] (d) (1) (A) [Any school or school district identified as in need of improvement pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section and requiring corrective action pursuant to the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, shall be designated and listed as a low achieving school or school district and] Any school district designated as an opportunity district, as defined in section 10-262u, as amended by this act, shall be subject to intensified supervision and direction by the State Board of Education.
(B) Any school classified as a category four school or category five school or a school designated as a focus school [shall be designated as low achieving and] shall be subject to intensified supervision and direction by the State Board of Education.
(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this title or any regulation adopted pursuant to said title, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, in carrying out the provisions of [subdivision (1) of] this subsection, [and this subdivision,] the State Board of Education shall take any of the following actions to improve student performance of [the] a school district, a particular school in [the] a district or among student subgroups, and [remove the school or district from the list of schools or districts designated and listed as a low achieving school or district pursuant to said subdivision (1), and] to address other needs of the school or district: (A) Require an operations audit to identify possible programmatic savings and an instructional audit to identify any deficits in curriculum and instruction or in the learning environment of the school or district; (B) require the local or regional board of education for such school or district to use state and federal funds for critical needs, as directed by the State Board of Education; (C) provide incentives to attract highly qualified teachers and principals; (D) direct the transfer and assignment of teachers and principals; (E) require additional training and technical assistance for parents and guardians of children attending the school or a school in the district and for teachers, principals, and central office staff members hired by the district; (F) require the local or regional board of education for the school or district to implement model curriculum, including, but not limited to, recommended textbooks, materials and supplies approved by the Department of Education; (G) identify schools for reconstitution, as may be phased in by the commissioner, as state or local charter schools, schools established pursuant to section 10-74g, innovation schools established pursuant to section 10-74h, or schools based on other models for school improvement, or for management by an entity other than the local or regional board of education for the district in which the school is located; (H) direct the local or regional board of education for the school or district to develop and implement a plan addressing deficits in achievement and in the learning environment as recommended in the instructional audit; (I) assign a technical assistance team to the school or district to guide school or district initiatives and report progress to the Commissioner of Education; (J) establish instructional and learning environment benchmarks for the school or district to meet as it progresses toward [removal from the list of low achieving schools or districts] increased levels of student achievement; (K) provide funding to any proximate district to [a] an opportunity district [designated as a low achieving school district] so that students in [a low achieving] an opportunity district may attend public school in a neighboring district; (L) direct the establishment of learning academies within schools that require continuous monitoring of student performance by teacher groups; (M) require local and regional boards of education to (i) undergo training to improve their operational efficiency and effectiveness as leaders of their districts' improvement plans, and (ii) submit an annual action plan to the Commissioner of Education outlining how, when and in what manner their effectiveness shall be monitored; (N) require the appointment of (i) a superintendent, approved by the Commissioner of Education, or (ii) a district improvement officer, selected by the commissioner, whose authority is [consistent with the provisions of section 138 of public act 11-61] described in subdivision (4) of this subsection, and whose term shall be for one school year, except that the State Board of Education may extend such period; or (O) any combination of the actions described in this subdivision or similar, closely related actions.
(3) If a directive of the State Board of Education pursuant to subparagraph (C), (D), (E), (G) or (L) of subdivision (2) of this subsection or a directive to implement a plan pursuant to subparagraph (H) of said subdivision (2) affects working conditions, such directive shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of sections 10-153a to 10-153n, inclusive.
(4) The district improvement officer shall (A) implement the provisions of subparagraphs (A), (C) to (F), inclusive, (H) to (J), inclusive, (L) and (M) of subdivision (2) of this subsection, (B) manage and allocate any federal, state and local education funds of the school district, and (C) report regularly to the State Board of Education on matters relating to the progress of the district's improvement efforts and the effectiveness of the local board of education and the superintendent of schools. The district improvement officer shall serve at the pleasure of the State Board of Education.
[(f)] (e) The State Board of Education shall monitor the progress of each [school or district designated as a low achieving school or district pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of this section] category four or five school, opportunity district, and school district in which a category four or five school is located, and provide notice to the local or regional board of education for each such school or district of the school or district's progress toward meeting the benchmarks established by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection [(e)] (d) of this section. If a school or district fails to make acceptable progress toward meeting such benchmarks established by the State Board of Education, [or fails to make adequate yearly progress pursuant to the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, for two consecutive years while designated as a low achieving school district,] the State Board of Education, after consultation with the Governor and chief elected official or officials of the district, may (1) request that the General Assembly enact legislation authorizing that control of the district be reassigned to the State Board of Education or other authorized entity, or (2) notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 146, any special act, charter or ordinance, grant the Commissioner of Education the authority to reconstitute the local or regional board of education for such school district in accordance with the provisions of subsection [(i)] (g) of this section.
[(g)] (f) Any [school district or] elementary school after two successive years [of failing to make adequate yearly progress shall be designated as a low achieving school district or school and] as a category four or five school shall be evaluated by the Commissioner of Education. After such evaluation, the commissioner may require that such [school district or] school provide full-day kindergarten classes, summer school, extended school day, weekend classes, tutorial assistance to its students or professional development to its administrators, principals, teachers and paraprofessional teacher aides if (1) on any subpart of the mastery examination administered to students in grade three, pursuant to section 10-14n, thirty per cent or more of the students in any subgroup [, as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110,] do not achieve [the level of proficiency] performance level three or higher, or (2) the commissioner determines that it would be in the best educational interests of the school [or the school district] to have any of these programs. In ordering any educational program authorized by this subsection, the commissioner may limit the offering of the program to the subgroup of students that have failed to achieve [proficiency as determined by this subsection] performance level three, those in particular grades or those who are otherwise at substantial risk of educational failure. The costs of instituting the ordered educational programs shall be borne by the [identified low achieving school district or the school district in which an identified low achieving] school district in which such category four or five school is located. The commissioner shall not order an educational program that costs more to implement than the total increase in the amount of the grant that a town receives pursuant to section 10-262i, as amended by this act, in any fiscal year above the prior fiscal year.
[(h) The Commissioner of Education shall conduct a study, within the limits of the capacity of the Department of Education to perform such study, of academic achievement of individual students over time as measured by performance on mastery examinations administered to students in grades three to eight, inclusive, pursuant to section 10-14n. If this study evidences a pattern of continuous and substantial growth in educational performance on said examinations for individual students, then the commissioner may determine that the school district or elementary school shall not be subject to the requirements of subsection (g) of this section, but shall still comply with the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, P.L. 107-110, if applicable.]
[(i)] (g) (1) The State Board of Education may authorize the Commissioner of Education to reconstitute a local or regional board of education pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection [(f)] (e) of this section and in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, for a period of not more than five years. The board shall not grant such authority to the commissioner unless the board has required the local or regional board of education to complete the training described in subparagraph (M) of subdivision (2) of subsection [(e)] (d) of this section. Upon such authorization by the board, the commissioner shall terminate the existing local or regional board of education and appoint the members of a new local or regional board of education for the school district. Upon the termination of an existing local or regional board of education, the electoral process for such board shall be suspended during the period of reconstitution. Such appointed members may include members of the board of education that was terminated. The terms of the members of the new board of education shall be three years. The Department of Education shall offer training to the members of the new board of education. The new board of education shall annually report to the commissioner regarding the district's progress toward meeting the benchmarks established by the State Board of Education pursuant to subsection [(e)] (d) of this section. [and making adequate yearly progress, as defined in the state accountability plan prepared in accordance with subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section.] Not later than one hundred eighty days before the conclusion of the three-year term of the reconstituted board of education, the commissioner may reappoint the members of the new board of education or appoint new members to such board of education for terms of two years, to commence at the conclusion of the initial three-year term, if the district fails to show adequate improvement, as determined by the State Board of Education, after three years.
(2) Upon terminating an existing local or regional board of education pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, the commissioner shall notify the town clerk in the school district, or in the case of a regional board of education, the town clerk of each member town, and the office of the Secretary of the State of such termination. Such notice shall include the date of such termination and the positions terminated.
(3) Not later than one hundred seventy-five days before the conclusion of the term of the reconstituted board of education, the commissioner shall notify the town clerk in the school district, or in the case of a regional board of education, the town clerk of each member town, and the office of the Secretary of the State of the date that such period of reconstitution will conclude. Upon receipt of such notice by the Secretary of the State, the electoral process shall commence in accordance with the provisions of section 9-164, except that if such notice is delivered before the time specified in section 9-391 to nominate candidates for municipal office in the year of a municipal election, such offices may be placed on the ballot of a regular election, as defined in section 9-1, with the approval of the legislative body of the municipality. Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 146 and section 10-46, the legislative body of the municipality or municipalities involved shall determine the terms of office of the new members to be elected for such office.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, "electoral process" includes, but is not limited to, the nominations of candidates by political parties, nominating petitions, write-in candidacies and the filling of vacancies on the board of education.
Sec. 7. Subsection (e) of section 10-76d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(e) (1) Any local or regional board of education which provides special education pursuant to any mandates in this section shall provide transportation, to and from, but not beyond the curb of, the residence of the child, unless otherwise agreed upon by the board and the parent or guardian of the child, tuition, room and board and other items necessary to the provision of such special education except for children who are placed in a residential facility because they need services other than educational services, in which case the financial responsibility of the school district and payment to such district shall be limited to the reasonable costs of special education instruction as defined in the regulations of the State Board of Education. If a hearing board, pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-76h, rejects the educational program prescribed by the local or regional board of education and determines that a placement by a parent or guardian was appropriate, the local or regional board of education shall reimburse the parent or guardian for the reasonable costs incurred for the provision of special education pursuant to this section from the initiation of review procedures as provided by said section 10-76h.
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, "public agency" includes the offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general statutes, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1987, and each fiscal year thereafter, whenever a public agency, other than a local or regional board of education, the State Board of Education or the Superior Court acting pursuant to section 10-76h, places a child in a foster home, group home, hospital, state institution, receiving home, custodial institution or any other residential or day treatment facility, and such child requires special education, the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school or, if no such board can be identified, the local or regional board of education of the town where the child is placed, shall provide the requisite special education and related services to such child in accordance with the provisions of this section. Within one business day of such a placement by the Department of Children and Families or offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, said department or offices shall orally notify the local or regional board of education responsible for providing special education and related services to such child of such placement. The department or offices shall provide written notification to such board of such placement within two business days of the placement. Such local or regional board of education shall convene a planning and placement team meeting for such child within thirty days of the placement and shall invite a representative of the Department of Children and Families or offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe to participate in such meeting. (A) The local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction such child would otherwise be attending school shall be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of such special education and related services in an amount equal to [the lesser of] one hundred per cent of the costs of such education. [or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-76f. The State Board of Education shall pay on a current basis, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, any costs in excess of such local or regional board's basic contributions paid by such board of education in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision.] (B) Whenever a child is placed pursuant to this subdivision, on or after July 1, 1995, by the Department of Children and Families and the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction such child would otherwise be attending school cannot be identified, the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child attended school or in whose district the child resided at the time of removal from the home by said department shall be responsible for the reasonable costs of special education and related services provided to such child, for one calendar year or until the child is committed to the state pursuant to section 46b-129 or 46b-140 or is returned to the child's parent or guardian, whichever is earlier. If the child remains in such placement beyond one calendar year the Department of Children and Families shall be responsible for such costs. During the period the local or regional board of education is responsible for the reasonable cost of special education and related services pursuant to this subparagraph, the board shall be responsible for such costs in an amount equal to [the lesser of] one hundred per cent of the costs of such education and related services [or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-76f. The State Board of Education shall pay on a current basis, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, any costs in excess of such local or regional board's basic contributions paid by such board of education in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision.] The costs for services other than educational shall be paid by the state agency which placed the child. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the school districts established within the Department of Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-37 or the Department of Correction, pursuant to section 18-99a, provided in any case in which special education is being provided at a private residential institution, including the residential components of regional educational service centers, to a child for whom no local or regional board of education can be found responsible under subsection (b) of this section, Unified School District #2 shall provide the special education and related services and be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of such special education instruction for such children. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2010, [to June 30, 2017, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subdivision shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision for such year.
(3) [Payment for] The local or regional board of education shall be responsible for the reasonable costs of special education and related services provided to children who require special education and who reside on state-owned or leased property, and who are not the educational responsibility of the unified school districts established pursuant to section 17a-37 or section 18-99a. [, shall be made in the following manner: The State Board of Education shall pay to the school district which is responsible for providing instruction for each such child pursuant to the provisions of this subsection one hundred per cent of the reasonable costs of such instruction. In the fiscal year following such payment, the State Board of Education shall deduct from the special education grant due the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school, where such board has been identified, the amount for which such board would otherwise have been financially responsible pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection. No such deduction shall be made for any school district which is responsible for providing special education instruction for children whose parents or legal guardians do not reside within such district. The amount deducted shall be included as a net cost of special education by the Department of Education for purposes of the state's special education grant calculated pursuant to section 10-76g. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, and June 30, 2005, and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, and June 30, 2013, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subdivision shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision for such year.]
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall provide regular education and special education and related services to eligible residents in facilities operated by the department who are eighteen to twenty-one years of age. In the case of a resident who requires special education, the department shall provide the requisite identification and evaluation of such resident in accordance with the provisions of this section. The department shall be financially responsible for the provision of educational services to eligible residents. The Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Children and Families and Education shall develop and implement an interagency agreement which specifies the role of each agency in ensuring the provision of appropriate education services to eligible residents in accordance with this section. The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall be responsible for one hundred per cent of the reasonable costs of such educational services provided to eligible residents of such facilities.
[(5) Application for the grant to be paid by the state for costs in excess of the local or regional board of education's basic contribution shall be made by such board of education by filing with the State Board of Education, in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of Education, annually on or before December first a statement of the cost of providing special education, as defined in subdivision (2) of this subsection, for a child of the board placed by a state agency in accordance with the provisions of said subdivision or, where appropriate, a statement of the cost of providing educational services other than special educational services pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) or (g) of section 10-253, provided a board of education may submit, not later than March first, claims for additional children or costs not included in the December filing. Payment by the state for such excess costs shall be made to the local or regional board of education as follows: Seventy-five per cent of the cost in February and the balance in May. The amount due each town pursuant to the provisions of this subsection and the amount due to each town as tuition from other towns pursuant to this section shall be paid to the treasurer of each town entitled to such aid, provided the treasurer shall treat such grant or tuition received, or a portion of such grant or tuition, which relates to special education expenditures incurred pursuant to subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection in excess of such board's budgeted estimate of such expenditures, as a reduction in expenditures by crediting such expenditure account, rather than town revenue. The state shall notify the local or regional board of education when payments are made to the treasurer of the town pursuant to this subdivision.]
Sec. 8. Section 10-76g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1984, and each fiscal year thereafter, in any case in which special education is being provided at a private residential institution, including the residential components of regional educational service centers, to a child for whom no local or regional board of education can be found responsible under subsection (b) of section 10-76d, the Department of Children and Families shall pay the costs of special education to such institution pursuant to its authority under sections 17a-1 to 17a-26, inclusive, 17a-28 to 17a-49, inclusive, 17a-52 and 17b-251. (2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1993, and each fiscal year thereafter, any local or regional board of education which provides special education and related services for any child (A) who is placed by a public agency, including, but not limited to, offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, in a private residential facility or who is placed in a facility or institution operated by the Department of Children and Families and who receives such special education at a program operated by a regional education service center or program operated by a local or regional board of education, and (B) for whom no local or regional board of education can be found responsible under subsection (b) of section 10-76d, shall be [eligible to receive one hundred per cent of] responsible for the reasonable costs of special education for such child as defined in the regulations of the State Board of Education. [Any such board eligible for payment shall file with the Department of Education, in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of Education, annually, on or before December first a statement of the cost of providing special education for such child, provided a board of education may submit, not later than March first, claims for additional children or costs not included in the December filing. Payment by the state for such costs shall be made to the local or regional board of education as follows: Seventy-five per cent of the cost in February and the balance in May.]
[(b) Any local or regional board of education which provides special education pursuant to the provisions of sections 10-76a to 10-76g, inclusive, for any exceptional child described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (5) of section 10-76a, under its jurisdiction, excluding (1) children placed by a state agency for whom a board of education receives payment pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d, and (2) children who require special education, who reside on state-owned or leased property, and who are not the educational responsibility of the unified school districts established pursuant to sections 17a-37 and 18-99a, shall be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of special education instruction, as defined in the regulations of the State Board of Education, in an amount equal to (A) for any fiscal year commencing prior to July 1, 2005, five times the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-76f, and (B) for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2005, and each fiscal year thereafter, four and one-half times such average per pupil educational costs of such board of education. The State Board of Education shall pay on a current basis any costs in excess of the local or regional board's basic contribution paid by such board in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. Any amounts paid by the State Board of Education on a current basis pursuant to this subsection shall not be reimbursable in the subsequent year. Application for such grant shall be made by filing with the Department of Education, in such manner as prescribed by the commissioner, annually on or before December first a statement of the cost of providing special education pursuant to this subsection, provided a board of education may submit, not later than March first, claims for additional children or costs not included in the December filing. Payment by the state for such excess costs shall be made to the local or regional board of education as follows: Seventy-five per cent of the cost in February and the balance in May. The amount due each town pursuant to the provisions of this subsection shall be paid to the treasurer of each town entitled to such aid, provided the treasurer shall treat such grant, or a portion of the grant, which relates to special education expenditures incurred in excess of such town's board of education budgeted estimate of such expenditures, as a reduction in expenditures by crediting such expenditure account, rather than town revenue. Such expenditure account shall be so credited no later than thirty days after receipt by the treasurer of necessary documentation from the board of education indicating the amount of such special education expenditures incurred in excess of such town's board of education budgeted estimate of such expenditures.
(c) Commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, and for each fiscal year thereafter, within available appropriations, each town whose ratio of (1) net costs of special education, as defined in subsection (h) of section 10-76f, for the fiscal year prior to the year in which the grant is to be paid to (2) the product of its total need students, as defined in section 10-262f, and the average regular program expenditures, as defined in section 10-262f, per need student for all towns for such year exceeds the state-wide average for all such ratios shall be eligible to receive a supplemental special education grant. Such grant shall be equal to the product of a town's eligible excess costs and the town's base aid ratio, as defined in section 10-262f, provided each town's grant shall be adjusted proportionately if necessary to stay within the appropriation. Payment pursuant to this subsection shall be made in June. For purposes of this subsection, a town's eligible excess costs are the difference between its net costs of special education and the amount the town would have expended if it spent at the state-wide average rate.]
(b) Any local or regional board of education which provides special education in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76g, inclusive, as amended by this act, for any exceptional child described in subdivision (3) of section 10-76a, shall, for each fiscal year, be reimbursed for a percentage of its net cost of special education, as defined in section 10-76f, for the preceding fiscal year. Such percentage shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of this section. A local or regional board of education may apply for such reimbursement on or before September first for costs incurred during the prior fiscal year based upon data included in the returns submitted to the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 10-227. Any audited data shall be submitted to the commissioner on or before December thirty-first. Payments pursuant to this section for each estimated total grant of five hundred thousand dollars or more shall be made as follows: Fifty per cent of the grant entitlement based on costs submitted on or before September first shall be paid in October. The adjusted balance based on audited data submitted on or before December thirty-first shall be paid in April. Payments pursuant to this section for each estimated grant of less than five hundred thousand dollars shall be made in a single installment in April based on audited data submitted on or before December thirty-first.
(c) (1) The reimbursement percentage for the net cost of special education for a local board of education shall be determined by (A) ranking each town in the state in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine according to such town's adjusted equalized net grand list per capita, as defined in section 10-261, and (B) based upon such ranking, and notwithstanding the provisions of section 2-32a, a percentage of not less than zero nor more than fifty-three and ninety-three one-hundredths shall be determined for each town on a continuous scale. (2) The reimbursement percentage for the net cost of special education for a regional board of education shall be determined by its ranking. Such ranking shall be determined by (A) multiplying the total population, as defined in section 10-261, of each town in the regional school district by such town's ranking, as determined pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, (B) adding together the figures for each town determined under subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, and (C) dividing the total computed under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision by the total population of all towns in the regional school district. The ranking of each regional board of education shall be rounded to the next higher whole number and each such board shall receive the same reimbursement percentage as would a town with the same rank.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2010, [to June 30, 2017, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section, except grants paid in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, and for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2010, [to June 30, 2017, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section for such year.
Sec. 9. Section 10-253 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Children placed out by the Commissioner of Children and Families or by other agencies or persons, including offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, private child-caring or child-placing agencies licensed by the Department of Children and Families, and eligible residents of facilities operated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services or by the Department of Public Health who are eighteen to twenty-one years of age, shall be entitled to all free school privileges of the school district where they then reside as a result of such placement, except as provided in subdivision (4) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d, as amended by this act. Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section and subdivision (4) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d, as amended by this act, payment for such education shall be made by the board of education of the school district under whose jurisdiction such child would otherwise be attending school where such a school district is identified.
(b) The board of education of the school district under whose jurisdiction a child would otherwise be attending school shall be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of education for a child placed out by the Commissioner of Children and Families or by other agencies, including, but not limited to, offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, in a private residential facility when such child requires educational services other than special education services. [Such financial responsibility shall be the lesser of one hundred per cent of the costs of such education or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with subsection (a) of section 10-76f. Any costs in excess of the board's basic contribution shall be paid by the State Board of Education on a current basis. The costs for services other than educational shall be paid by the state agency which placed the child. Application for the grant to be paid by the state for costs in excess of the local or regional board of education's basic contribution shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (5) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2010, to June 30, 2017, inclusive, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subsection shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subsection for such year.]
(c) No board of education shall be required to provide school accommodations for any child whose legal residence is in another state unless the board has entered into an agreement concerning the provision of educational services and programs with the state or local educational agency of such state responsible for educating the child, the facility where the child is placed or the parent or guardian placing such child, and provided that a bond, in a sum equal to the tuition payable for such child, issued by a surety company authorized to do business in this state and conditioned upon the payment of tuition at the rate established by the board, shall be filed with the treasurer of the school district in which such child is attending school by the parent or guardian or other person or organization in control of such child.
(d) Children residing with relatives or nonrelatives, when it is the intention of such relatives or nonrelatives and of the children or their parents or guardians that such residence is to be permanent, provided without pay and not for the sole purpose of obtaining school accommodations, and, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1981, and each fiscal year thereafter, children not requiring special education who are residing in any facility or home as a result of a placement by a public agency, including, but not limited to, offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, other than a local or regional board of education, and except as provided by subsection (b) of this section, shall be entitled to all free school privileges accorded to resident children of the school district in which they then reside. A local or regional board of education may require documentation from the parent or guardian, the relative or nonrelative, emancipated minor or pupil eighteen years of age or older that the residence is to be permanent, provided without pay and not for the sole purpose of obtaining school accommodations provided by the school district. Such documentation may include affidavits, provided that prior to any request for documentation of a child's residency from the child's parent or guardian, relative or nonrelative, or emancipated minor or pupil eighteen years of age or older, the board of education shall provide the parent or guardian, relative or nonrelative, emancipated minor or pupil eighteen years of age or older with a written statement specifying the basis upon which the board has reason to believe that such child, emancipated minor or pupil eighteen years of age or older is not entitled to school accommodations.
(e) (1) For purposes of this subsection:
(A) "Temporary shelters" means facilities which provide emergency shelter for a specified, limited period of time, and
(B) "Educational costs" means the reasonable costs of providing regular or, except as otherwise provided, special education, but in no event shall such costs exceed the average per pupil cost for regular education students or the actual cost of providing special education for special education students.
(2) Children in temporary shelters shall be entitled to free school privileges from either the school district in which the shelter is located or the school district in which the child would otherwise reside, if not for the need for temporary shelter. Upon notification from the school district in which the temporary shelter is located, the school district in which the child would otherwise reside, if identified, shall either pay tuition to the school district in which the temporary shelter is located for the child to attend school in that district or shall continue to provide educational services, including transportation, to such child. If the school district where the child would otherwise reside cannot be identified, the school district in which the temporary shelter is located shall be financially responsible for the educational costs for such child, except that in the case of a child who requires special education and related services and is placed by the Department of Children and Families in a temporary shelter on or after July 1, 1995, the school district in which the child resided immediately prior to such placement or the Department of Children and Families shall be responsible for the cost of such special education and related services, to the extent such board or department is responsible for such costs under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d, as amended by this act. If the school district where the child would otherwise reside declines to provide free school privileges, the school district where the temporary shelter is located shall provide free school privileges and may recover tuition from the school district where the child would otherwise reside. In the case of children requiring special education who have been placed in out-of-district programs by either a board of education or state agency, the school district in which the child would otherwise reside shall continue to be responsible for the child's education until such time as a new residence is established, notwithstanding the fact that the child or child's family resides in a temporary shelter.
(f) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, educational services shall be provided by each local and regional board of education to homeless children and youths in accordance with the provisions of 42 USC 11431, et seq., as amended from time to time.
(g) (1) For purposes of this subsection, "juvenile detention facility" means a juvenile detention facility operated by, or under contract with, the Judicial Department.
(2) The local or regional board of education for the school district in which a juvenile detention facility is located shall be responsible for the provision of general education and special education and related services to children detained in such facility. The provision of general education and special education and related services shall be in accordance with all applicable state and federal laws concerning the provision of educational services. Such board may provide such educational services directly or may contract with public or private educational service providers for the provision of such services. Tuition may be charged to the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school for the provision of general education and special education and related services. Responsibility for the provision of educational services to the child shall begin on the date of the child's placement in the juvenile detention facility and financial responsibility for the provision of such services shall begin upon the receipt by the child of such services.
(3) The local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school or, if no such board can be identified, the local or regional board of education for the school district in which the juvenile detention facility is located shall be financially responsible for the tuition charged for the provision of educational services to the child in such juvenile detention facility. [The State Board of Education shall pay, on a current basis, any costs in excess of such local or regional board of education's prior year's average per pupil costs. If the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school cannot be identified, the local or regional board of education for the school district in which the juvenile detention facility is located shall be eligible to receive on a current basis from the State Board of Education any costs in excess of such local or regional board of education's prior year's average per pupil costs. Application for the grant to be paid by the state for costs in excess of the local or regional board of education's basic contribution shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (5) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d.]
(4) The local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school shall be financially responsible for the provision of educational services to the child placed in a juvenile detention facility as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection notwithstanding that the child has been suspended from school pursuant to section 10-233c, has been expelled from school pursuant to section 10-233d or has withdrawn, dropped out or otherwise terminated enrollment from school. Upon notification of such board of education by the educational services provider for the juvenile detention facility, the child shall be reenrolled in the school district where the child would otherwise be attending school or, if no such district can be identified, in the school district in which the juvenile detention facility is located, and provided with educational services in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
(5) The local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school or, if no such board can be identified, the local or regional board of education for the school district in which the juvenile detention facility is located shall be notified in writing by the Judicial Branch of the child's placement at the juvenile detention facility not later than one business day after the child's placement, notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes to the contrary. The notification shall include the child's name and date of birth, the address of the child's parents or guardian, placement location and contact information, and such other information as is necessary to provide educational services to the child.
(6) Prior to the child's discharge from the juvenile detention facility, an assessment of the school work completed by the child shall be conducted by the local or regional board of education responsible for the provision of educational services to children in the juvenile detention facility to determine an assignment of academic credit for the work completed. Credit assigned shall be the credit of the local or regional board of education responsible for the provision of the educational services. Credit assigned for work completed by the child shall be accepted in transfer by the local or regional board of education for the school district in which the child continues his or her education after discharge from the juvenile detention facility.
Sec. 10. Subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-66ee of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) (1) [For the purposes of equalization aid grants pursuant to section 10-262h, the state shall pay in] The state charter school per student grant shall be based on (A) the foundation level, as defined in section 10-262f, as amended by this act, and (B) the poverty level of the students enrolled in charter school. In accordance with this subsection, [to the town in which a] the state shall pay each state charter school [is located] a per student grant of eleven thousand five hundred dollars for each student enrolled in each such school, for the fiscal year ending [June 30, 2013, ten thousand two hundred dollars, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, ten thousand five hundred dollars, and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and each fiscal year thereafter, eleven thousand dollars] June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter. Such payments shall be made as follows: Twenty-five per cent of the amount not later than July fifteenth and September first based on estimated student enrollment on May first, and twenty-five per cent of the amount not later than January first and the remaining amount not later than April first, each based on student enrollment on October first. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, the payment of the remaining amount made not later than April 15, 2013, shall be within available appropriations and may be adjusted for each student on a pro rata basis.
Sec. 11. Subsection (b) of section 10-1 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) The Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, the members of said board, provided each student member (1) is on the list submitted to the Governor pursuant to section 10-2a, (2) is enrolled in a public high school in the state, (3) has completed eleventh grade prior to the commencement of his term, (4) has at least a B plus average, and (5) provides at least three references from teachers in the school the student member is attending. The nonstudent members shall serve for terms of four years commencing on March first in the year of their appointment. The student members shall serve for terms of one year commencing on July first in the year of their appointment. The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, the chairperson of the Planning Commission for Higher Education and the chairperson of the technical high school system board shall serve as ex-officio members without a vote. Any vacancy in said State Board of Education shall be filled in the manner provided in section 4-19.
Sec. 12. Section 10a-1d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) There is established [an Office of Higher Education] a division of higher education within the Department of Education. The [Office of Higher Education] division shall administer the programs set forth in sections 10-19g, 10-155d, 10a-10a, 10a-11, 10a-11a, 10a-17d, 10a-34 to 10a-34f, inclusive, 10a-35, 10a-166, 10a-168a, 10a-169a, 10a-169b and 10a-173. The [Office of Higher Education] division shall be responsible for approving any action taken pursuant to sections 10a-34 to 10a-34f, inclusive.
(b) [The Governor shall appoint an executive director of the Office of Higher Education in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive.] The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Planning Commission for Higher Education, established pursuant to section 10a-11b, as amended by this act, shall recommend a candidate for division chief of the division of higher education who shall be appointed as division chief by the State Board of Education. The [executive director] division chief shall have the responsibility for implementing the policies and directives of the [office] division and shall have additional responsibilities as the [board] State Board of Education, in consultation with the Planning Commission for Higher Education, may prescribe.
(c) The division of higher education may make recommendations to the Commissioner of Education for changes (1) in program administration, including, but not limited to, the programs described in sections 10-19g, 10-155d, 10a-10a, 10a-11, 10a-11a, 10a-17d, 10a-34 to 10a-34f, inclusive, 10a-35, 10a-166, 10a-168a, 10a-169a, 10a-169b and 10a-173, (2) in the provisions of sections 10a-34 to 10a-34f, inclusive, and (3) the operation of section 10a-10.
(d) The division of Higher Education shall serve as staff to the Planning Commission for Higher Education. The division shall report on the progress of and make recommendations regarding the implementation of the higher education strategic master plan for higher education in Connecticut, as described in section 10a-11b, as amended by this act, to the Planning Commission for Higher Education.
Sec. 13. Section 10-3a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) There shall be a Department of Education which shall serve as the administrative arm of the State Board of Education. The department shall be under the direction of the Commissioner of Education, whose appointment shall be recommended to the Governor by the State Board of Education for a term of four years to be coterminous with the term of the Governor. Such appointment shall be in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-7, inclusive. The Commissioner of Education shall be the administrative officer of the department and shall administer, coordinate and supervise the activities of the department in accordance with the policies established by the board.
(b) The State Board of Education shall organize the Department of Education into such bureaus, divisions and other units as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the department, and may, from time to time, create, abolish, transfer or consolidate within the department any bureau, division or other unit as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of said board. Upon such organization or reorganization the board shall adopt regulations pursuant to the provisions of chapter 54. The board may create such advisory boards as it deems necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the department.
(c) The Department of Education shall constitute a successor department, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39, to the Office of Higher Education. Where any order or regulation of said departments conflict, the State Board of Education may implement policies or procedures consistent with the provisions of this title and title 10a while in the process of adopting such policies or procedures in regulation form, provided notice of intent to adopt such regulations is printed in the Connecticut Law Journal not later than twenty days after implementation. Any such policies or procedures shall be valid until the time final regulations are adopted. The Commissioner of Education, in accordance with policies established by the State Board of Education, may appoint and remove members of the staffs of the division of higher education.
Sec. 14. Subsection (a) of section 10a-6 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Board of Regents for Higher Education shall: (1) Establish policies and guidelines for the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College; (2) develop a master plan for higher education and postsecondary education at the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College consistent with the goals identified in section 10a-11c; (3) establish tuition and student fee policies for the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College; (4) monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and viability of the state universities, the regional community-technical colleges and Charter Oak State College in accordance with criteria established by the board; (5) merge or close institutions within the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College in accordance with criteria established by the board, provided (A) such recommended merger or closing shall require a two-thirds vote of the board, and (B) notice of such recommended merger or closing shall be sent to the committee having cognizance over matters relating to education and to the General Assembly; (6) review and approve mission statements for the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College and role and scope statements for the individual institutions and campuses of such constituent units; (7) review and approve any recommendations for the establishment of new academic programs submitted to the board by the state universities within the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical colleges and Charter Oak State College, and, in consultation with the affected constituent units, provide for the initiation, consolidation or termination of academic programs; (8) develop criteria to ensure acceptable quality in (A) programs at the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College, and (B) institutions within the Connecticut State University System and the regional community-technical college system and enforce standards through licensing and accreditation; (9) prepare and present to the Governor and General Assembly, in accordance with section 10a-8, consolidated operating and capital expenditure budgets for the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College developed in accordance with the provisions of said section 10a-8; (10) review and make recommendations on plans received from the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College to implement the goals identified in section 10a-11c; (11) [appoint advisory committees with representatives from public and independent institutions of higher education to study methods and proposals for coordinating efforts of the public institutions of higher education under its jurisdiction with The University of Connecticut and the independent institutions of higher education to implement the goals identified in section 10a-11c; (12)] (evaluate (A) means of implementing the goals identified in section 10a-11c, and (B) any recommendations made by the Planning Commission for Higher Education in implementing the higher education strategic master plan pursuant to section 10a-11b, as amended by this act, through alternative and nontraditional approaches such as external degrees and credit by examination; [(13)] (12) coordinate programs and services among the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College; [(14)] (13) assess opportunities for collaboration with The University of Connecticut and the independent institutions of higher education to implement the goals identified in section 10a-11c; [(15)] (14) make or enter into contracts, leases or other agreements in connection with its responsibilities under this part, provided all acquisitions of real estate by lease or otherwise shall be subject to the provisions of section 4b-23; [(16)] (15) be responsible for the care and maintenance of permanent records of institutions of higher education dissolved after September 1, 1969; [(17)] (16) prepare and present to the Governor and General Assembly legislative proposals affecting the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College; [(18)] (17) develop and maintain a central higher education information system and establish definitions and data requirements for the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College; [(19)] (18) report all new programs and program changes at the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College to the Office of Higher Education; and [(20)] (19) undertake such studies and other activities as will best serve the higher educational interests of the Connecticut State University System, the regional community-technical college system and Charter Oak State College.
Sec. 15. Section 10a-11b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) There is established a Planning Commission for Higher Education to develop and ensure the implementation of a higher education strategic master plan [for higher education] in Connecticut.
(1) The commission shall consist of the following voting members: (A) [Two members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall have experience as former administrators or faculty members in independent institutions of higher education in this state; (B) two members appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of a regional community-technical college and one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of The University of Connecticut; (C) two members appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of a state university in the Connecticut State University System and one of whom shall be a former administrator or faculty member of Charter Oak State College; (D) two members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom shall have experience in the field of arts and culture and one of whom shall have experience in the field of health care; (E) two members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who shall have knowledge and expertise in science and technology; (F) two members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall represent state-wide business organizations; and (G) five members appointed by the Governor, one of whom shall represent a nonprofit education foundation, one of whom shall have experience in university research and its commercial application and one of whom shall have experience in the field of education from prekindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive.] The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, the president of The University of Connecticut, or their designees from the Board of Regents and Board of Trustees; (B) the provost of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and the provost of The University of Connecticut; (C) the chair of the Board of Regents for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or the chair's designee, and the chair of the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut, or the chair's designee; (D) the president, vice president or chair of the board of a large independent institution of higher education in the state, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; (E) the president, vice president or chair of the board of a small independent institution of higher education in the state, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; (F) a representative from a private occupational school, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities based upon three recommendations by the Commissioner of Education; (G) a teaching faculty representative from the Connecticut State Universities, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; (H) a teaching faculty representative from the regional community-technical colleges, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities; (I) a teaching faculty representative from The University of Connecticut, to be selected by the president of The University of Connecticut; (J) a teaching faculty representative from a private occupational school in the state, to be selected by the president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; (K) one member appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a large manufacturing employer in the state; (L) one member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a large financial or insurance services employer in the state; (M) one member appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of an information technology or digital media employer in the state; (N) one member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a small business employer in the state; (O) one member appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a health care employer in the state; and (P) one member appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a small business employer in the state. The commission membership shall, where feasible, reflect the state's geographic, racial and ethnic diversity.
(2) The following persons shall serve as ex-officio nonvoting members on the commission: (A) The [president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, the] Commissioner of Education, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the Labor Commissioner, or their designees; (B) [the chairpersons of the boards of trustees and the chief executive officers of each constituent unit of the state system of higher education, or their designees; (C) the chairperson of the board and president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, or their designees; (D)] a member of the State Board of Education, as designated by the chairperson of the state board; (C) the superintendent of the technical high school system, or the superintendent's designee; (D) the chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, or the chief executive officer's designee; (E) the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement; and [(E)] (F) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee.
(3) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson from among the commission's members. The commission shall elect a [chairperson] vice-chairperson at its first meeting. Any vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority. The term of each appointed member of the commission shall be three years from the date of appointment. The commission members shall serve without compensation. [except for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.] The commission may seek the advice and participation of any person, organization or state or federal agency it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. The commission may, within available appropriations, retain consultants to assist in carrying out its duties. The commission may receive funds from any public or private sources to carry out its activities. The division of higher education, within the Department of Education, shall serve as staff of the commission.
(b) [In accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6, the] The commission shall develop and ensure the implementation of a higher education strategic master plan that:
(1) Examines the impact of demographic, workforce and education trends on higher education in the state;
(2) (A) Establishes numerical goals for 2015, [and] 2020 and 2025 to increase the number of people earning a bachelor's degree, associate degree or certificate, increases the number of people successfully completing coursework at the community college level and the number of people entering the state's workforce and eliminates the postsecondary achievement gap between minority students and the general student population, and (B) includes specific strategies for meeting such goals, as well as strategies for meeting the goals pursuant to [subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10a-6] subsection (b) of section 10a-6 and section 10a-11c;
(3) Examines and recommends changes to funding policies, practices and accountability in order to (A) align policies and practices with the goals set forth in subsection (b) of section 10a-6 and section 10a-11c, including an evaluation of the use of strategic and performance-based incentive funding; (B) determine how the constituent units shall annually report to the General Assembly and the public in a transparent and thorough manner regarding each constituent unit's expenditures, staffing and state support, including the state appropriation, personnel expenses, personnel fringe benefits, capital improvement bonds and financial aid to students; [and] (C) improve coordination of appropriation, tuition and financial aid and seek ways to maximize funding through federal and private grants; and (D) develop methods to simplify and reduce duplication in the administrative functions of each constituent unit; and
(4) Recommends ways in which each constituent unit of the state system of higher education and independent institution of higher education in the state can, in a manner consistent with such institution's mission, expand such institution's role in advancing the state's economic growth.
(c) In developing the higher education strategic master plan, the commission shall review the plans pursuant to sections 10a-6, as amended by this act, and 10a-11. In addition, the commission may consider the following: (1) Establishing incentives for institutional performance and productivity; (2) increasing financial aid incentive programs, especially in workforce shortage areas and for minority students; (3) implementing mandatory college preparatory curricula in high schools and aligning such curricula with curricula in institutions of higher education; (4) seeking partnerships with the business community and public institutions of higher education to serve the needs of workforce retraining that may include bridge programs in which businesses work directly with higher education institutions to move students into identified workforce shortage areas; (5) establishing collaborative partnerships between public high schools and institutions of higher education; (6) implementing programs in high school to assist high school students seeking a college track or alternative pathways for post-secondary education, such as vocational and technical opportunities; (7) developing policies to promote and measure retention and graduation rates of students, including graduation rates for students who have transferred among two or more constituent units or public institutions of higher education; (8) addressing the educational needs of minority students and nontraditional students, including, but not limited to, part-time students, incumbent workers, adult learners, former inmates and immigrants, in order to increase enrollment and retention in institutions of higher education; and (9) addressing the affordability of tuition at institutions of higher education and the issue of increased student indebtedness.
(d) Not later than June 1, 2014, the commission shall submit a preliminary report on the development of the higher education strategic master plan and, not later than September 1, 2014, the commission shall submit the higher education strategic master plan, including specific goals and benchmarks for the years ending 2020 and 2025, together with any recommendations for appropriate legislation and funding to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement, education, commerce, labor and appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.
(e) Not later than January 1, 2016, and annually thereafter, the commission shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and employment advancement, education, commerce, labor and appropriations, in accordance with section 11-4a, on the implementation of the plan and progress made toward achieving the goals specified in the plan. The commission may periodically suggest changes to the goals as necessary.
(f) Not later than January 1, [2016] 2018, for purposes of implementing the higher education strategic master plan pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the commission, in collaboration with the Office of Policy and Management, shall establish [working groups and consult with any existing working groups, commissions or task forces that may investigate and offer guidance on specific objectives identified by the commission or the office, including, but not limited to, outcomes-based financing and workforce development, the examination of which by the commission are] two standing subcommittees and may establish any working groups necessary to supplement the work of the subcommittees or work essential to achieving the goals specified in the plan. The chairperson and vice-chairperson of the commission shall appoint the members of the standing subcommittees and working groups, and may appoint members to such standing subcommittees and working groups who are not members of the commission. (1) One standing subcommittee shall focus on data, metrics and accountability, and build upon the work of the Higher Education Coordinating Council and Preschool through 20 and Workforce Information Network in its measures and data. Such measures shall be used to assess the progress of each public institution of higher education toward meeting the commission's goals. The subcommittee shall collaborate with the Labor Department to (A) produce periodic reports, capable of being sorted by student age, on the employment status, job retention and earnings of students enrolled in academic and noncredit vocational courses and programs, both prior to enrollment and after completion of such courses and programs, who leave the constituent units upon graduation or otherwise, and (B) develop an annual affordability index for public higher education that is based on state-wide median family income. The subcommittee shall submit annual reports to the commission and the constituent units. (2) One standing subcommittee shall focus on the higher education strategic master plan, analyzing the plans submitted since 2014 and making recommendations to the commission on key areas. The commission may recommend key areas of focus each year and require the standing subcommittee to report to the commission on such key areas.
(g) The commission may appoint advisory committees with representatives from public and independent institutions of higher education to study methods and proposals for coordinating efforts of the public institutions of higher education and the independent institutions of higher education to implement the goals identified in section 10a-11c.
(h) The commission may review its goals and plans and determine how best to align its work with the work of the Higher Education Innovation and Entrepreneurship Working Group and the Higher Education Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, established pursuant to sections 27 and 28 of public act 16-3 of the May special session.
Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 10a-55i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) There is established a Higher Education Consolidation Committee which shall be convened by the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education or such chairpersons' designee, who shall be a member of such joint standing committee. The membership of the Higher Education Consolidation Committee shall consist of the higher education subcommittee on appropriations and the chairpersons, vice chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to higher education and appropriations. The Higher Education Consolidation Committee shall establish a meeting and public hearing schedule for purposes of receiving updates from (1) the Board of Regents for Higher Education on the progress of the consolidation of the state system of higher education pursuant to this section, section 4-9c, subsection (g) of section 5-160, section 5-199d, subsection (a) of section 7-323k, subsection (a) of section 7-608, subsection (a) of section 10-9, section 10-155d, subdivision (14) of section 10-183b, sections 10a-1a to 10a-1d, inclusive, as amended by this act, 10a-3 and 10a-3a, [subsection (a) of section 10a-6a, sections 10a-6b,] sections 10a-8, 10a-10a to 10a-11a, inclusive, 10a-17d and 10a-22a, subsections (f) and (h) of section 10a-22b, subsections (c) and (d) of section 10a-22d, sections 10a-22h and 10a-22k, subsection (a) of section 10a-22n, sections 10a-22r, 10a-22s, 10a-22u, 10a-22v, 10a-22x and 10a-34 to 10a-35a, inclusive, subsection (a) of section 10a-48a, sections 10a-71 and 10a-72, subsections (c) and (f) of section 10a-77, section 10a-88, subsection (a) of section 10a-89, subsection (c) of section 10a-99 and sections 10a-102, 10a-104, 10a-105, 10a-109e, 10a-143 and 10a-168a, and (2) the Board of Regents for Higher Education and The University of Connecticut on the program approval process for the constituent units. The Higher Education Consolidation Committee shall convene its first meeting on or before September 15, 2011, and meet not less than once every two months.
Sec. 17. Subsection (i) of section 10-217a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the [fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, to June 30, 2017, inclusive] fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this section.
Sec. 18. Subsection (d) of section 10-71 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the [fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2017, inclusive] fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to towns, regional boards of education or regional educational service centers in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section for such year.
Sec. 19. Section 10-17g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, the board of education for each local and regional school district that is required to provide a program of bilingual education, pursuant to section 10-17f, may make application to the State Board of Education and shall annually receive a grant in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying one million nine hundred sixteen thousand one hundred thirty by the ratio which the number of eligible children in the school district bears to the total number of such eligible children state-wide. The board of education for each local and regional school district receiving funds pursuant to this section shall annually, on or before September first, submit to the State Board of Education a progress report which shall include (1) measures of increased educational opportunities for eligible students, including language support services and language transition support services provided to such students, (2) program evaluation and measures of the effectiveness of its bilingual education and English as a second language programs, including data on students in bilingual education programs and students educated exclusively in English as a second language programs, and (3) certification by the board of education submitting the report that any funds received pursuant to this section have been used for the purposes specified. The State Board of Education shall annually evaluate programs conducted pursuant to section 10-17f. For purposes of this section, measures of the effectiveness of bilingual education and English as a second language programs include, but need not be limited to, mastery examination results, under section 10-14n, and graduation and school dropout rates. Any amount appropriated under this section in excess of one million nine hundred sixteen thousand one hundred thirty dollars shall be spent in accordance with the provisions of sections 10-17k, 10-17n and 10-66t. Any unexpended funds, as of November first, appropriated to the Department of Education for purposes of providing a grant to a local or regional board of education for the provision of a program of bilingual education, pursuant to section 10-17f, shall be distributed on a pro rata basis to each local and regional board of education receiving a grant under this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the [fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2017, inclusive] fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of grants payable to local or regional boards of education for the provision of a program of bilingual education under this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.
Sec. 20. Section 10-66j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The State Board of Education shall encourage the formation of a state-wide system of regional educational service centers and shall adopt regulations with respect to standards for review and approval of regional education service centers in accordance with sections 10-66a and 10-66h.
[(b) Each regional educational service center shall receive an annual grant equal to the sum of the following:
(1) An amount equal to fifty per cent of the total amount appropriated for purposes of this section divided by six;
(2) An amount equal to twenty-five per cent of such appropriation multiplied by the ratio of the number of its member boards of education to the total number of member boards of education state-wide; and
(3) An amount equal to twenty-five per cent of such appropriation multiplied by the ratio of the sum of state aid pursuant to section 10-262h for all of its member boards of education to the total amount of state aid pursuant to section 10-262h state-wide.
(c) Within the available appropriation, no regional educational service center shall receive less aid pursuant to subsection (b) of this section than it received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999. Amounts determined for regional educational service centers pursuant to subsection (b) of this section in excess of the amounts received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1999, shall be reduced proportionately to implement such provision if necessary.]
[(d)] (b) Each regional educational service center shall support regional efforts to recruit and retain minority educators.
[(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2017, inclusive, the amount of grants payable to regional educational service centers shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.]
Sec. 21. Subsection (d) of section 7-127e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) In order to be eligible to receive funds from the Department of Education for [the Leadership, Education, Athletics in Partnership (LEAP) program, or] the neighborhood youth centers program, an applicant [must] shall provide a match of at least fifty per cent of the grant amount. The cash portion of such match shall be at least twenty-five per cent of the grant amount.
Sec. 22. Section 10-215b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The State Board of Education is authorized to expend in each fiscal year an amount equal to [(1)] the money required pursuant to the matching requirements of said federal laws and shall disburse the same in accordance with said laws. [, and (2)]
(b) The State Board of Education is authorized to expend in each fiscal year an amount equal to ten cents per lunch served in the prior school year in accordance with said laws by any local or regional board of education, the technical high school system or governing authority of a state charter school, interdistrict magnet school or endowed academy approved pursuant to section 10-34 that participates in the National School Lunch Program and certifies pursuant to section 10-215f that the nutrition standards established by the Department of Education pursuant to section 10-215e shall be met. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to a local or regional board of education, the technical high school system or the governing authority of a state charter school, interdistrict magnet school or endowed academy in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this section.
[(b)] (c) The State Board of Education shall prescribe the manner and time of application by such board of education, the technical high school system, such governing authority or controlling authority of the nonpublic schools for such funds, provided such application shall include the certification that any funds received pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be used for the program approved. The State Board of Education shall determine the eligibility of the applicant to receive such grants pursuant to regulations provided in subsection (c) of this section and shall certify to the Comptroller the amount of the grant for which the board of education, the technical high school system, the governing authority or the controlling authority of a nonpublic school is eligible. Upon receipt of such certification, the Comptroller shall draw an order on the Treasurer in the amount, at the time and to the payee so certified.
[(c)] (d) The State Board of Education may adopt such regulations as may be necessary in implementing this section and sections 10-215 [to 10-215b, inclusive] and 10-215a, as amended by this act.
[(d)] (e) The Commissioner of Education shall establish a procedure for monitoring compliance by boards of education, the technical high school system, or governing authorities with certifications submitted in accordance with section 10-215f and may adjust grant amounts pursuant to [subdivision (2) of subsection (a)] subsection (b) of this section based on failure to comply with said certification.
Sec. 23. Section 10-215a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Nonpublic schools and nonprofit agencies may participate in the school breakfast, lunch and other feeding programs provided in sections 10-215 to 10-215b, inclusive, as amended by this act, under such regulations as may be promulgated by the State Board of Education in conformance with said sections and under the federal laws governing said programs, except that such schools, other than the endowed academies approved pursuant to section 10-34, and agencies shall not be eligible for the funding described in [subdivision (2) of] subsection [(a)] (b) of section 10-215b, as amended by this act.
Sec. 24. Subsection (a) of section 10-19o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Commissioner of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, a program to provide grants to youth service bureaus in accordance with this section. Only youth service bureaus which were eligible to receive grants pursuant to this section for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, or which applied for a grant by June 30, 2012, with prior approval of the town's contribution pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, or which applied for a grant during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section for any fiscal year commencing on or after July 1, 2012. Each such youth service bureau shall receive a grant of fourteen thousand dollars. The Department of Education may expend an amount not to exceed two per cent of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section for administrative expenses. If there are any remaining funds, each such youth service bureau that was awarded a grant in excess of fifteen thousand dollars in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, shall receive a percentage of such funds. The percentage shall be determined as follows: For each such grant in excess of fifteen thousand dollars, the difference between the amount of the grant awarded to the youth service bureau for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, and fifteen thousand dollars shall be divided by the difference between the total amount of the grants awarded to all youth service bureaus that were awarded grants in excess of fifteen thousand dollars for said fiscal year and the product of fifteen thousand dollars and the number of such grants for said fiscal year. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to youth service bureaus in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this section.
Sec. 25. Section 17b-751d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Office of Early Childhood shall be the lead state agency for community-based, prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect. The responsibilities of the office shall include, but not be limited to, collaborating with state agencies, hospitals, clinics, schools and community service organizations, to: (1) Initiate programs to support families at risk for child abuse or neglect; (2) assist organizations to recognize child abuse and neglect; (3) encourage community safety; (4) increase broad-based efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect; (5) create a network of agencies to advance child abuse and neglect prevention; and (6) increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect issues. The office, subject to available state, federal and private funding, shall be responsible for implementing and maintaining programs and services, including, but not limited to: (A) The Nurturing Families Network, established pursuant to subsection (a) of section 17b-751b; [(B) Family Empowerment Initiative programs; (C) Help Me Grow; (D) Family School Connection; (E)] (B) support services for residents of a respite group home for girls; [(F)] (C) volunteer services; [(G)] (D) family development training; [(H)] (E) shaken baby syndrome prevention; and [(I)] (F) child sexual abuse prevention.
Sec. 26. Subsection (b) of section 17a-106e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) The department shall refer any child exhibiting developmental or social-emotional delays pursuant to such screenings to the birth-to-three program. [The department shall refer any child who is not found eligible for services under the birth-to-three program to the Help Me Grow prevention program under the Office of Early Childhood, pursuant to section 17b-751d, or a similar program that the department deems appropriate.]
Sec. 27. Subsection (c) of section 10-264l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(c) (1) The maximum amount each interdistrict magnet school program, except those described in subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of subdivision (3) of this subsection, shall be eligible to receive per enrolled student who is not a resident of the town operating the magnet school shall be (A) six thousand sixteen dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, (B) six thousand seven hundred thirty dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2012, inclusive, and (C) seven thousand eighty-five dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter. The per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is a resident of the town operating the magnet school program shall be three thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter.
(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, and each fiscal year thereafter, the commissioner may, within available appropriations, provide supplemental grants for the purposes of enhancing educational programs in such interdistrict magnet schools, as the commissioner determines. Such grants shall be made after the commissioner has conducted a comprehensive financial review and approved the total operating budget for such schools, including all revenue and expenditure estimates.
(3) (A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of this subdivision, each interdistrict magnet school operated by a regional educational service center that enrolls less than fifty-five per cent of the school's students from a single town shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of (i) six thousand two hundred fifty dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, (ii) six thousand five hundred dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, (iii) seven thousand sixty dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, (iv) seven thousand six hundred twenty dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2012, inclusive, and (v) seven thousand nine hundred dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of this subdivision, each interdistrict magnet school operated by a regional educational service center that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent of the school's students from a single town shall receive a per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent of the school's students in the amount of (i) six thousand sixteen dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, (ii) six thousand seven hundred thirty dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2012, inclusive, and (iii) seven thousand eighty-five dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter. The per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent of the school's students shall be three thousand dollars.
(C) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and each fiscal year thereafter, each interdistrict magnet school operated by a regional educational service center that began operations for the school year commencing July 1, 2001, and that for the school year commencing July 1, 2008, enrolled at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the school's students from a single town shall receive a per pupil grant (i) for each enrolled student who is a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the school's students, up to an amount equal to the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of eight thousand one hundred eighty dollars, (ii) for each enrolled student who is a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but not more than eighty per cent of the school's students, in an amount greater than the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of three thousand dollars, (iii) for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the school's students, up to an amount equal to the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of eight thousand one hundred eighty dollars, and (iv) for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but not more than eighty per cent of the school's students, in an amount greater than the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of seven thousand eighty-five dollars.
(D) (i) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (D)(ii) of this subparagraph, each interdistrict magnet school operated by (I) a regional educational service center, (II) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (III) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (IV) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (V) the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (E) of this subdivision, (VI) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, (VII) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner, and (VIII) the Hartford school district for the operation of Great Path Academy on behalf of Manchester Community College, that enrolls less than sixty per cent of its students from Hartford pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, or the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of nine thousand six hundred ninety-five dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and ten thousand four hundred forty-three dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2017, inclusive.
(ii) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, any interdistrict magnet school described in subparagraph (D)(i) of this subparagraph that enrolls less than fifty per cent of its incoming students from Hartford shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of seven thousand nine hundred dollars for one-half of the total number of non-Hartford students enrolled in the school over fifty per cent of the total school enrollment and shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of ten thousand four hundred forty-three dollars for the remainder of the total school enrollment.
(E) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and each fiscal year thereafter, each interdistrict magnet school operated by the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, that (i) began operations for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, (ii) enrolls less than sixty per cent of its students from Hartford pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, or the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, and (iii) enrolls students at least half-time, shall be eligible to receive a per pupil grant (I) equal to sixty-five per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to subparagraph (D) of this subdivision for each student who is enrolled at such school for at least two semesters in each school year, and (II) equal to thirty-two and one-half per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to subparagraph (D) of this subdivision for each student who is enrolled at such school for one semester in each school year.
(F) Each interdistrict magnet school operated by a local or regional board of education, pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, or the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., shall receive a per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district in the amount of (i) twelve thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and (ii) thirteen thousand fifty-four dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2017, inclusive.
(G) In addition to the grants described in subparagraph (E) of this subdivision, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, the commissioner may, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Finance Advisory Committee, established pursuant to section 4-93, provide supplemental grants to the Hartford school district of up to one thousand fifty-four dollars for each student enrolled at an interdistrict magnet school operated by the Hartford school district who is not a resident of such district.
(H) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the half-day Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts interdistrict magnet school operated by the Capital Region Education Council shall be eligible to receive a per pupil grant equal to sixty-five per cent of the per pupil grant specified in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision.
(I) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2018, inclusive, the half-day Greater Hartford Academy of Mathematics and Science interdistrict magnet school operated by the Capitol Region Education Council shall be eligible to receive a per pupil grant equal to six thousand seven hundred eighty-seven dollars for (i) students enrolled in grades ten to twelve, inclusive, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, (ii) students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, and (iii) students enrolled in grade twelve for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the half-day Greater Hartford Academy of Mathematics and Science interdistrict magnet school shall not be eligible for any additional grants pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
(4) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2015, and June 30, 2016, the department may limit payment to an interdistrict magnet school operator to an amount equal to the grant that such magnet school operator was eligible to receive based on the enrollment level of the interdistrict magnet school program on October 1, 2013. Approval of funding for enrollment above such enrollment level shall be prioritized by the department as follows: (A) Increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is adding planned new grade levels for the school years commencing July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016; (B) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that added planned new grade levels for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and was funded during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; (C) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is moving into a permanent facility for the school years commencing July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2016, inclusive; (D) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program to ensure compliance with subsection (a) of this section; and (E) new enrollments for a new interdistrict magnet school program commencing operations on or after July 1, 2014, pursuant to the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended. Any interdistrict magnet school program operating less than full-time, but at least half-time, shall be eligible to receive a grant equal to sixty-five per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to this subsection.
(5) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, the department may limit payment to an interdistrict magnet school operator to an amount equal to the grant that such magnet school operator was eligible to receive based on the enrollment level of the interdistrict magnet school program on October 1, 2013, or October 1, 2015, whichever is lower. Approval of funding for enrollment above such enrollment level shall be prioritized by the department as follows: (A) Increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is adding planned new grade levels for the school years commencing July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016; (B) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that added planned new grade levels for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and was funded during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; (C) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that added planned new grade levels for the school year commencing July 1, 2015, and was funded during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016; and (D) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program to ensure compliance with subsection (a) of this section. Any interdistrict magnet school program operating less than full-time, but at least half-time, shall be eligible to receive a grant equal to sixty-five per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to this subsection.
(6) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019, the department may limit payment to an interdistrict magnet school operator to an amount equal to the grant that such magnet school operator was eligible to receive based on the enrollment level of the interdistrict magnet school program on October 1, 2013, October 1, 2015, or October 1, 2016, whichever is lower. Approval of funding for enrollment above such enrollment level shall be prioritized by the department and subject to the commissioner's approval, including increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program as a result of planned and approved new grade levels.
(7) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, the department may limit payment to an interdistrict magnet school operator to an amount equal to the grant that such magnet school operator was eligible to receive based on the enrollment level of the interdistrict magnet school program on October 1, 2013, October 1, 2015, or October 1, 2017, whichever is lower. Approval of funding for enrollment above such enrollment level shall be prioritized by the department and subject to the commissioner's approval.
[(6)] (8) Within available appropriations, the commissioner may make grants to the following entities that operate an interdistrict magnet school that assists the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, as determined by the commissioner and that provide academic support programs and summer school educational programs approved by the commissioner to students participating in such interdistrict magnet school program: (A) Regional educational service centers, (B) local and regional boards of education, (C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (D) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (E) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (F) the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, (G) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, and (H) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner.
[(7)] (9) Within available appropriations, the Commissioner of Education may make grants, in an amount not to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars, for start-up costs associated with the development of new interdistrict magnet school programs that assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, as determined by the commissioner, to the following entities that develop such a program: (A) Regional educational service centers, (B) local and regional boards of education, (C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (D) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (E) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (F) the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, (G) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, and (H) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner.
[(8)] (10) The amounts of the grants determined pursuant to this subsection shall be proportionately adjusted, if necessary, within available appropriations, and in no case shall any grant pursuant to this section exceed the reasonable operating budget of the interdistrict magnet school program, less revenues from other sources.
Sec. 28. Subsection (c) of section 19a-80 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(c) The commissioner, within available appropriations, shall require each prospective employee of a child care center or group child care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child to submit to comprehensive background checks, including state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The commissioner shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. The Department of Social Services may agree to transfer funds appropriated for criminal history records checks to the Office of Early Childhood. The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection. No such prospective employee shall have unsupervised access to children in the child care center or group child care home until such comprehensive background is completed and the Commissioner of Early Childhood permits such prospective employee to work in such child care center or group child care home.
Sec. 29. Subsection (c) of section 19a-87b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(c) The commissioner, within available appropriations, shall require each initial applicant or prospective employee of a family child care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child, including an assistant or substitute staff member and each household member who is sixteen years of age or older, to submit to comprehensive background checks, including state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The commissioner shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. The commissioner shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection. For purposes of this subsection, "household member" means any person, other than the person who is licensed to conduct, operate or maintain a family child care home, who resides in the family child care home, such as the licensee's spouse or children, tenants and any other occupant.
Sec. 30. Subsection (a) of section 17b-749k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall, within available appropriations, require any person [, other than a relative,] providing child care services to a child [in the child's home] who receives a child care subsidy from the Office of Early Childhood to submit to comprehensive background checks, including state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The commissioner shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k.
Sec. 31. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2017) The comprehensive background checks required pursuant to subsection (c) of section 19a-80 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, subsection (c) of section 19a-87b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and subsection (a) of section 17b-749k of the general statutes, as amended by this act, shall be required at least once every five years. Any person who applies for a position at a child care facility in the state shall not be required to submit to such comprehensive background checks if such person (1) is an employee of a child care facility in the state, or was previously an employee of a child care facility in the state during the previous one hundred eighty days, and (2) has successfully completed such comprehensive background checks in the previous five years. Nothing in this section prohibits the Commissioner of Early Childhood from requiring that an employee or prospective employee of a child care facility to submit to comprehensive background checks more than once during a five-year period. For purposes of this section, "child care facility" means a child care center, group child care home or family child care home that provides "child care services", as described in section 19a-77 of the general statutes, and the home of a family child care provider, as defined in section 17b-705 of the general statutes.
Sec. 32. Sections 10-69a, 10a-6a, 10a-6b, 17b-277a and 17b-277b of the general statutes are repealed. (Effective July 1, 2017)
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2017 10-262f
Sec. 2 July 1, 2017 10-262h
Sec. 3 July 1, 2017 10-262i
Sec. 4 July 1, 2017 10-262j
Sec. 5 July 1, 2017 10-262u
Sec. 6 July 1, 2017 10-223e
Sec. 7 July 1, 2017 10-76d(e)
Sec. 8 July 1, 2017 10-76g
Sec. 9 July 1, 2017 10-253
Sec. 10 July 1, 2017 10-66ee(d)(1)
Sec. 11 July 1, 2017 10-1(b)
Sec. 12 July 1, 2017 10a-1d
Sec. 13 July 1, 2017 10-3a
Sec. 14 July 1, 2017 10a-6(a)
Sec. 15 July 1, 2017 10a-11b
Sec. 16 July 1, 2017 10a-55i(a)
Sec. 17 July 1, 2017 10-217a(i)
Sec. 18 July 1, 2017 10-71(d)
Sec. 19 July 1, 2017 10-17g
Sec. 20 July 1, 2017 10-66j
Sec. 21 July 1, 2017 7-127e(d)
Sec. 22 July 1, 2017 10-215b
Sec. 23 July 1, 2017 10-215a
Sec. 24 July 1, 2017 10-19o(a)
Sec. 25 July 1, 2017 17b-751d
Sec. 26 July 1, 2017 17a-106e(b)
Sec. 27 July 1, 2017 10-264l(c)
Sec. 28 July 1, 2017 19a-80(c)
Sec. 29 July 1, 2017 19a-87b(c)
Sec. 30 July 1, 2017 17b-749k(a)
Sec. 31 July 1, 2017 New section
Sec. 32 July 1, 2017 Repealer section
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
Section 1
July 1, 2017
10-262f
Sec. 2
July 1, 2017
10-262h
Sec. 3
July 1, 2017
10-262i
Sec. 4
July 1, 2017
10-262j
Sec. 5
July 1, 2017
10-262u
Sec. 6
July 1, 2017
10-223e
Sec. 7
July 1, 2017
10-76d(e)
Sec. 8
July 1, 2017
10-76g
Sec. 9
July 1, 2017
10-253
Sec. 10
July 1, 2017
10-66ee(d)(1)
Sec. 11
July 1, 2017
10-1(b)
Sec. 12
July 1, 2017
10a-1d
Sec. 13
July 1, 2017
10-3a
Sec. 14
July 1, 2017
10a-6(a)
Sec. 15
July 1, 2017
10a-11b
Sec. 16
July 1, 2017
10a-55i(a)
Sec. 17
July 1, 2017
10-217a(i)
Sec. 18
July 1, 2017
10-71(d)
Sec. 19
July 1, 2017
10-17g
Sec. 20
July 1, 2017
10-66j
Sec. 21
July 1, 2017
7-127e(d)
Sec. 22
July 1, 2017
10-215b
Sec. 23
July 1, 2017
10-215a
Sec. 24
July 1, 2017
10-19o(a)
Sec. 25
July 1, 2017
17b-751d
Sec. 26
July 1, 2017
17a-106e(b)
Sec. 27
July 1, 2017
10-264l(c)
Sec. 28
July 1, 2017
19a-80(c)
Sec. 29
July 1, 2017
19a-87b(c)
Sec. 30
July 1, 2017
17b-749k(a)
Sec. 31
July 1, 2017
New section
Sec. 32
July 1, 2017
Repealer section
Statement of Purpose:
To implement the Governor's budget recommendations.
[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.]