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General Assembly Raised Bill No. 958
January Session, 2019
LCO No. 4968
Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
Introduced by:
(ED)
AN ACT CONCERNING DI SENGAGED YOUTH.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2019) (a) As used in this section: 1
(1) "Disengaged youth" means a student in grade six to twelve, 2
inclusive, who is (A) a truant, as defined in section 10-198a of the 3
general statutes, (B) falling behind academically, failing several classes 4
or at risk of dropping out of school or failing to graduate, (C) receiving 5
or in need of receiving mental health services and treatment, (D) an 6
unaccompanied youth, as described in 42 USC 11434a, as amended 7
from time to time, or a homeless child or youth, as defined in 42 USC 8
11434a, as amended from time to time, or (E) involved in or who has 9
had contact with the juvenile justice system; and 10
(2) "Community partner" means a provider of one or more of the 11
following services to students, families or community members: (A) 12
Primary medical or dental care, (B) mental health treatment and 13
services, (C) academic enrichment activities, (D) programs designed to 14
improve student attendance at school, (E) youth development 15 Raised Bill No. 958
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programs, (F) parental involvement programs, (G) programs that 16
provide assistance to students who are truant or who have been 17
suspended or expelled, (H) youth and adult job training and career 18
counseling services, (I) nutrition education, (J) adult education, (K) 19
remedial education and enrichment activities, (L) legal services, or (M) 20
any other relevant services or programs. 21
(b) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021, the 22
Department of Education shall establish the Disengaged Youth Pilot 23
Program, to be implemented by the local boards of education for the 24
towns of Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport. Said boards shall 25
identify disengaged youth from among the students enrolled in 26
schools under the jurisdiction of said boards, and partner with 27
community partners to provide assistance to such disengaged youth. 28
Such assistance shall include, but need not be limited to, academic 29
engagement and tutoring, employment, shelter, clothing, food and 30
transportation. Said boards of education may utilize any funds 31
received pursuant to section 10-223h or 10-262u of the general statutes 32
for purposes of implementing the Disengaged Youth Pilot Program. 33
(c) Not later than January 1, 2022, the Department of Education shall 34
submit a report evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of the 35
Disengaged Youth Pilot Program and any recommendations for 36
legislation to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly 37
having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with 38
the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 39
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:
Section 1 July 1, 2019 New section
Statement of Purpose:
To create a pilot program to provide academic and other social support
to disengaged youth. Raised Bill No. 958
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[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.]