CT
Connecticut House Bill HB05466

Connecticut 2022 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05466 Compare Versions

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8+February Session, 2022
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6-Public Act No. 22-116
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9-AN ACT CONCERNING ASSORTED REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS
10-TO THE EDUCATION STATUTES.
14+AN ACT CONCERNING ASSORTED REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS TO
15+THE EDUCATION STATUTES.
1116 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1217 Assembly convened:
1318
14-Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2022) The Connecticut Prevention Network
15-shall develop a report concerning recovery schools, provided the
16-network is available and willing to develop such report. Such report
17-shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination of how other
18-states have implemented and integrated recovery high schools into their
19-public school system and recommendations regarding the
20-establishment and implementation of one or more recovery high schools
21-in the state. The network may consult with the regional behavioral
22-health action organizations while developing such report. Not later than
23-January 1, 2024, the network shall submit such report on its findings and
24-recommendations to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction
25-Services, the Department of Education and the joint standing committee
26-of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
27-education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the
28-general statutes. For purposes of this section, "recovery high school"
29-means a high school designed specifically for students in recovery from
30-substance use disorder or co-occurring disorders.
31-Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 10-15b of the general statutes is Substitute House Bill No. 5466
19+Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2022) The Department of Education shall 1
20+develop a report concerning recovery schools. Such report shall include, 2
21+but need not be limited to, an examination of how other states have 3
22+implemented and integrated recovery high schools into their public 4
23+school system and recommendations regarding the establishment and 5
24+implementation of one or more recovery high schools in the state. Not 6
25+later than January 1, 2023, the department shall submit such report on 7
26+its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the 8
27+General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, 9
28+in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 10
29+For purposes of this section, "recovery high school" means a high school 11
30+designed specifically for students in recovery from substance use 12
31+disorder or co-occurring disorders. 13
32+Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 10-15b of the general statutes is 14
33+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 15
34+2022): 16
35+(a) Either parent or legal guardian of a minor student shall, upon 17
36+written request to a local or regional board of education and within a 18 Substitute Bill No. 5466
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35-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
36-2022):
37-(a) Either parent or legal guardian of a minor student shall, upon
38-written request to a local or regional board of education and within a
39-reasonable time, be entitled to knowledge of and access to all
40-educational, medical, or similar records maintained in such student's
41-cumulative record, including such student's class rank, except that no
42-parent or legal guardian shall be entitled to information considered
43-privileged under section 10-154a. Nothing in this section shall be
44-construed to limit a parent who is incarcerated from being entitled to
45-knowledge of and access to all educational, medical or similar records
46-maintained in the cumulative record of any minor student of such
47-incarcerated parent, except that such incarcerated parent shall not be
48-entitled to such records if (1) such information is considered privileged
49-under section 10-154a, (2) such incarcerated parent has been convicted
50-in this state or any other state of a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a,
51-53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or (3) such incarcerated parent is
52-prohibited from knowledge of or access to such student's cumulative
53-record pursuant to a court order.
54-Sec. 3. Section 3 of public act 21-95 is repealed and the following is
55-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
56-(a) There is established a task force to study issues relating to the
57-provision and funding of special education in the state during the school
58-years commencing July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2020, inclusive. Such study
59-shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination of (1) the
60-provision of special education and related services, including whether
61-local and regional boards of education are providing such services
62-directly or partnering with regional educational service centers,
63-contracting with a private provider of special education services, as
64-defined in section 10-91g of the general statutes, or as part of a
65-cooperative arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a of the general Substitute House Bill No. 5466
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43+reasonable time, be entitled to knowledge of and access to all 19
44+educational, medical, or similar records maintained in such student's 20
45+cumulative record, including such student's class rank, except that no 21
46+parent or legal guardian shall be entitled to information considered 22
47+privileged under section 10-154a. Nothing in this section shall be 23
48+construed to limit a parent who is incarcerated from being entitled to 24
49+knowledge of and access to all educational, medical or similar records 25
50+maintained in the cumulative record of any minor student of such 26
51+incarcerated parent, except that such incarcerated parent shall not be 27
52+entitled to such records if (1) such information is considered privileged 28
53+under section 10-154a, (2) such incarcerated parent has been convicted 29
54+in this state or any other state of a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 30
55+53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or (3) such incarcerated parent is 31
56+prohibited from knowledge of or access to such student's cumulative 32
57+record pursuant to a court order. 33
58+Sec. 3. (Effective from passage) (a) On or before September 1, 2022, the 34
59+governing authority for intramural and interscholastic athletics in the 35
60+state shall convene a working group to study the efficacy of throat 36
61+guards in preventing catastrophic neck injuries to interscholastic, 37
62+intramural and youth ice hockey athletes. The working group may 38
63+include representatives from organizations (1) representing athletic 39
64+trainers in the state, (2) representing sports medicine physicians, (3) that 40
65+research athlete safety and sudden death prevention, and (4) that 41
66+oversee youth hockey or independent interscholastic athletic leagues. 42
67+The working group may also include any member of the General 43
68+Assembly who would like to participate in the working group. The 44
69+study shall include, but need not be limited to, (A) a review of current 45
70+policies issued by national sport governing bodies on the use of throat 46
71+guards in ice hockey, and (B) an analysis of relevant studies (i) on the 47
72+prevalence of catastrophic throat injuries in interscholastic, intramural 48
73+and youth ice hockey, (ii) on the effectiveness of throat guards in 49
74+preventing catastrophic throat injuries in interscholastic, intramural and 50
75+youth ice hockey, and (iii) to identify any concerns associated with the 51
76+use of throat guards by interscholastic, intramural and youth ice hockey 52 Substitute Bill No. 5466
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69-statutes, (2) the cost of providing special education and related services,
70-the total aggregate amount per school district per year and the annual
71-percentage increase or decrease per school district of such cost, (3) the
72-effect that the cost of special education has on a board of education's
73-minimum budget requirement, (4) the level of state reimbursement to
74-boards of education for special education, including the total amount
75-for reimbursement submitted by each school district per year and the
76-total amount received by such school district per year, and the
77-percentage increase or decrease per year of the difference of the total
78-amount submitted and the total amount received for each school
79-district, and (5) the criteria and manner by which school districts are
80-identifying students who require special education and related services,
81-including whether school districts are overidentifying or
82-underidentifying such students and the causes and reasons for such
83-overidentification and underidentification.
84-(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
85-(1) Three appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
86-one of whom is a representative of the Special Education Equity for Kids
87-of Connecticut, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut
88-Association of Boards of Education and one of whom is the parent or
89-guardian of a student who is enrolled in a public school and receiving
90-special education services;
91-(2) Three appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one
92-of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public
93-School Superintendents, one of whom is a representative of the
94-Connecticut Education Association and one of whom is the parent or
95-guardian of a student who is enrolled in a public school and receiving
96-special education services;
97-(3) Two appointed by the majority leader of the House of
98-Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the American Substitute House Bill No. 5466
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102-Federation of Teachers-Connecticut and one of whom is a representative
103-of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center;
104-(4) Two appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom
105-is a representative of the Connecticut Council of Administrators of
106-Special Education and one of whom is a representative of the RESC
107-Alliance;
108-(5) Two appointed by the minority leader of the House of
109-Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut
110-Association of School Administrators and one of whom is a
111-representative of the School and State Finance Project;
112-(6) Two appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one of whom
113-is a representative of the Connecticut Association of Schools and one of
114-whom is a representative of the Connecticut Association of School
115-Business Officials; and
116-(7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee.
117-(c) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than
118-thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be
119-filled by the appointing authority.
120-(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president
121-pro tempore of the Senate shall select the cochairpersons of the task force
122-from among the members of the task force. Such cochairpersons shall
123-schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later
124-than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
125-(e) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
126-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education
127-shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
128-(f) Not later than January 1, [2022] 2024, the task force shall submit a Substitute House Bill No. 5466
83+athletes. 53
84+(b) Not later than January 1, 2023, the working group shall submit a 54
85+report on its findings and safety recommendations for interscholastic 55
86+and youth ice hockey programs to the joint standing committee of the 56
87+General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, 57
88+in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 58
89+The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits such 59
90+report or January 1, 2023, whichever is later. 60
91+Sec. 4. Section 3 of public act 21-95 is repealed and the following is 61
92+substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 62
93+(a) There is established a task force to study issues relating to the 63
94+provision and funding of special education in the state during the school 64
95+years commencing July 1, 2016, to July 1, 2020, inclusive. Such study 65
96+shall include, but need not be limited to, an examination of (1) the 66
97+provision of special education and related services, including whether 67
98+local and regional boards of education are providing such services 68
99+directly or partnering with regional educational service centers, 69
100+contracting with a private provider of special education services, as 70
101+defined in section 10-91g of the general statutes, or as part of a 71
102+cooperative arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a of the general 72
103+statutes, (2) the cost of providing special education and related services, 73
104+the total aggregate amount per school district per year and the annual 74
105+percentage increase or decrease per school district of such cost, (3) the 75
106+effect that the cost of special education has on a board of education's 76
107+minimum budget requirement, (4) the level of state reimbursement to 77
108+boards of education for special education, including the total amount 78
109+for reimbursement submitted by each school district per year and the 79
110+total amount received by such school district per year, and the 80
111+percentage increase or decrease per year of the difference of the total 81
112+amount submitted and the total amount received for each school 82
113+district, and (5) the criteria and manner by which school districts are 83
114+identifying students who require special education and related services, 84
115+including whether school districts are overidentifying or 85 Substitute Bill No. 5466
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132-report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing
133-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
134-relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a
135-of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it
136-submits such report or January 1, [2022] 2024, whichever is later.
137-Sec. 4. (Effective from passage) The executive director of the
138-Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, or the executive
139-director's designee, shall convene a working group to examine and
140-make recommendations concerning the consolidation or elimination of
141-unnecessary, obsolete or redundant professional development
142-requirements, pursuant to section 10-148a of the general statutes, and
143-in-service training requirements, pursuant to section 10-220a of the
144-general statutes, provided the executive director is available and willing
145-to convene such working group. The working group shall consist of: (1)
146-The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, and
147-(2) one representative from each of the following associations,
148-designated by the association, the Connecticut Association of Boards of
149-Education, the Connecticut Association of Public School
150-Superintendents, the Connecticut Federation of School Administrators,
151-the Connecticut Education Association, the American Federation of
152-Teachers-Connecticut, the Connecticut Association of School
153-Administrators, the Connecticut Association of Schools and the Special
154-Education Equity for Kids of Connecticut. Not later than January 1, 2024,
155-the executive director shall submit a report on the working group's
156-findings to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
157-having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with
158-the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall
159-include recommendations for legislation for specific amendments to
160-section 10-148a of the general statutes concerning professional
161-development and section 10-220a of the general statutes concerning in-
162-service training. Substitute House Bill No. 5466
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122+underidentifying such students and the causes and reasons for such 86
123+overidentification and underidentification. 87
124+(b) The task force shall consist of the following members: 88
125+(1) Three appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 89
126+one of whom is a representative of the Special Education Equity for Kids 90
127+of Connecticut, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut 91
128+Association of Boards of Education and one of whom is the parent or 92
129+guardian of a student who is enrolled in a public school and receiving 93
130+special education services; 94
131+(2) Three appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one 95
132+of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public 96
133+School Superintendents, one of whom is a representative of the 97
134+Connecticut Education Association and one of whom is the parent or 98
135+guardian of a student who is enrolled in a public school and receiving 99
136+special education services; 100
137+(3) Two appointed by the majority leader of the House of 101
138+Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the American 102
139+Federation of Teachers-Connecticut and one of whom is a representative 103
140+of the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center; 104
141+(4) Two appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom 105
142+is a representative of the Connecticut Council of Administrators of 106
143+Special Education and one of whom is a representative of the RESC 107
144+Alliance; 108
145+(5) Two appointed by the minority leader of the House of 109
146+Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut 110
147+Association of School Administrators and one of whom is a 111
148+representative of the School and State Finance Project; 112
149+(6) Two appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one of whom 113
150+is a representative of the Connecticut Association of Schools and one of 114
151+whom is a representative of the Connecticut Association of School 115 Substitute Bill No. 5466
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166-Sec. 5. Subsection (b) of section 8-210 of the 2022 supplement to the
167-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
168-thereof (Effective July 1, 2022):
169-(b) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of
170-Early Childhood, may enter into a contract with a municipality, a group
171-child care home or family child care home, as described in section 19a-
172-77, a human resource development agency or a nonprofit corporation
173-for state financial assistance in developing and operating child care
174-centers, group child care homes and family child care homes for
175-children disadvantaged by reasons of economic, social or environmental
176-conditions, provided no such financial assistance shall be available for
177-the operating costs of any such child care center, group child care home
178-or family child care home unless it has been licensed by the
179-Commissioner of Early Childhood pursuant to section 19a-80. Such
180-financial assistance shall be available for a program of a municipality, of
181-a group child care home or family child care home, of a human resource
182-development agency or of a nonprofit corporation which may provide
183-for personnel, equipment, supplies, activities, program materials and
184-renovation and remodeling of the physical facilities of such child care
185-centers, group child care homes or family child care homes. Such
186-contract shall provide for state financial assistance, within available
187-appropriations, in the form of a state grant-in-aid (1) for a portion of the
188-cost of such program, as determined by the Commissioner of Early
189-Childhood, if not federally assisted, (2) equal to one-half of the amount
190-by which the net cost of such program, as approved by the
191-Commissioner of Early Childhood, exceeds the federal grant-in-aid
192-thereof, or (3) in an amount not less than the per child cost as described
193-in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, for each child in
194-such program that is three or four years of age and each child that is five
195-years of age who is not eligible to enroll in school, pursuant to section
196-10-15c, while maintaining services to children under three years of age
197-under this section. Any such contract entered into on or after July 1, Substitute House Bill No. 5466
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201-2022, shall include a provision that at least sixty per cent of the children
202-enrolled in such child care center, group child care home or family child
203-care home are members of families that are at or below seventy-five per
204-cent of the state median income. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020,
205-and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount per child pursuant to
206-subdivision (3) of this subsection that is over the amount of the per child
207-cost that was prescribed pursuant to the contract for the fiscal year
208-ending June 30, 2019, shall be used exclusively to increase the salaries of
209-early childhood educators employed at the child care center. The
210-Commissioner of Early Childhood may authorize child care centers,
211-group child care homes and family child care homes receiving financial
212-assistance under this subsection to apply a program surplus to the next
213-program year. The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall consult with
214-directors of child care centers in establishing fees for the operation of
215-such centers.
216-Sec. 6. Section 3 of public act 22-80, is repealed and the following is
217-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
218-(a) Not later than July 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the
219-Commissioner of Education shall, within available appropriations,
220-develop and distribute a survey to each local and regional board of
221-education concerning the employment of school social workers, school
222-psychologists, school counselors and school nurses by such local or
223-regional board of education. Such survey shall include, but need not be
224-limited to, (1) the total number of (A) school social workers employed
225-by each local or regional board of education, (B) school psychologists
226-employed by each local or regional board of education, (C) school
227-counselors employed by each local and regional board of education,
228-[and] (D) school nurses employed by each local and regional board of
229-education, and (E) licensed marriage and family therapists employed by
230-each local and regional board of education; (2) the number of (A) school
231-social workers assigned to each school under the jurisdiction of the local Substitute House Bill No. 5466
158+Business Officials; and 116
159+(7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee. 117
160+(c) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than 118
161+thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall be 119
162+filled by the appointing authority. 120
163+(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president 121
164+pro tempore of the Senate shall select the cochairpersons of the task force 122
165+from among the members of the task force. Such cochairpersons shall 123
166+schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later 124
167+than sixty days after the effective date of this section. 125
168+(e) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 126
169+General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education 127
170+shall serve as administrative staff of the task force. 128
171+(f) Not later than January 1, [2022] 2024, the task force shall submit a 129
172+report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing 130
173+committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 131
174+relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 132
175+of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it 133
176+submits such report or January 1, [2022] 2024, whichever is later. 134
177+Sec. 5. (Effective July 1, 2022) The Department of Education shall 135
178+conduct a study of the funding process for incorporated or endowed 136
179+high schools or academies approved pursuant to section 10-34 of the 137
180+general statutes. The department may consult with any incorporated or 138
181+endowed high school or academy while conducting such study. Not 139
182+later than January 1, 2023, the department shall submit a report of the 140
183+results of such study and any recommendations for legislation 141
184+containing proposed amendments to the general statutes relating to the 142
185+funding process for incorporated or endowed high schools or academies 143
186+to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having 144
187+cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the 145
188+provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 146 Substitute Bill No. 5466
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235-or regional board of education, including whether any such school
236-social worker is assigned solely to that school or whether such school
237-social worker is assigned to multiple schools, (B) school psychologists
238-assigned to each school under the jurisdiction of the local or regional
239-board of education, including whether any such school psychologist is
240-assigned solely to that school or whether such school psychologist is
241-assigned to multiple schools, (C) school counselors assigned to each
242-school under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education,
243-including whether any such school counselor is assigned solely to that
244-school or whether such school counselor is assigned to multiple schools,
245-[and] (D) school nurses assigned to each school under the jurisdiction of
246-the local or regional board of education, including whether any such
247-school nurse is assigned solely to that school or whether such school
248-nurse is assigned to multiple schools, and (E) licensed marriage and
249-family therapists assigned to each school under the jurisdiction of the
250-local or regional board of education, including whether any such
251-licensed marriage and family therapist is assigned solely to that school
252-or whether such licensed marriage and family therapist is assigned to
253-multiple schools; (3) the geographic area covered by (A) any such school
254-social worker who provides services to more than one local or regional
255-board of education, (B) any such school psychologist who provides
256-services to more than one local or regional board of education, (C) any
257-such school counselor who provides services to more than one local or
258-regional board of education, [and] (D) any such school nurse who
259-provides services to more than one local or regional board of education,
260-and (E) any such licensed marriage and family therapist who provides
261-services to more than one local or regional board of education; and (4)
262-an estimate of the annual number of students who have received direct
263-services from each individual (A) school social worker employed by a
264-local or regional board of education during the five-year period
265-preceding completion of the survey, (B) school psychologist employed
266-by a local or regional board of education during the five-year period
267-preceding completion of the survey, (C) school counselor employed by Substitute House Bill No. 5466
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195+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
196+sections:
270197
271-a local or regional board of education during the five-year period
272-preceding completion of the survey, [and] (D) school nurse employed
273-by a local or regional board of education during the five-year period
274-preceding completion of the survey, and (E) licensed marriage and
275-family therapist employed by a local or regional board of education
276-during the five-year period preceding completion of the survey.
277-(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2023, and each school year
278-thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall annually
279-complete the survey developed and distributed pursuant to subsection
280-(a) of this section to the commissioner, and submit such completed
281-survey to the commissioner, at such time and in such manner as the
282-commissioner prescribes.
283-(c) Following the receipt of a completed survey from a local or
284-regional board of education, the commissioner shall annually calculate
285-(1) a student-to-school social worker ratio for (A) such board of
286-education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of
287-education, (2) a student-to-school psychologist ratio for (A) such board
288-of education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of
289-education, (3) a student-to-school counselor ratio for (A) such board of
290-education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of
291-education, [and] (4) a student-to-school nurse ratio for (A) such board
292-of education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of
293-education, and (5) a student-to-licensed marriage and family therapist
294-ratio for (A) such board of education, and (B) each school under the
295-jurisdiction of such board of education.
296-(d) Not later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
297-commissioner shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions
298-of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the results of the survey
299-completed under this section and the student-to-school social worker
300-ratios, student-to-school psychologist ratios, student-to-school
301-counselor ratios, [and] student-to-school nurse ratios and student-to- Substitute House Bill No. 5466
198+Section 1 July 1, 2022 New section
199+Sec. 2 July 1, 2022 10-15b(a)
200+Sec. 3 from passage New section
201+Sec. 4 from passage PA 21-95, Sec. 3
202+Sec. 5 July 1, 2022 New section
302203
303-Public Act No. 22-116 10 of 22
204+Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
205+Section 3(a) was reworded for clarity; and in Section 4(b)(6), "and" was
206+added for proper form.
304207
305-licensed marriage and family therapist ratios calculated pursuant to
306-subsection (c) of this section, to the joint standing committees of the
307-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education
308-and children.
309-Sec. 7. Section 4 of public act 22-80, is repealed and the following is
310-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022):
311-(a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2025,
312-inclusive, the Department of Education shall administer a grant
313-program to provide grants to local and regional boards of education for
314-the purpose of hiring and retaining additional school social workers,
315-school psychologists, school counselors, [and] school nurses and
316-licensed marriage and family therapists.
317-(b) Applications for grants pursuant to subsection (a) of this section
318-shall be filed with the Commissioner of Education at such time and in
319-such manner as the commissioner prescribes. As part of the application,
320-an applicant shall submit a (1) plan for the expenditure of grant funds,
321-and (2) copy of the completed survey described in section 3 of [this act]
322-public act 22-80. Such plan shall include, but need not be limited to, the
323-number of additional school social workers, school psychologists,
324-school counselors, [or] school nurses or licensed marriage and family
325-therapists to be hired, the number of school social workers, school
326-psychologists, school counselors, [or] school nurses or licensed marriage
327-and family therapists being retained who were previously hired with
328-the assistance of grant funds awarded under this section, whether such
329-school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors, [or]
330-school nurses or licensed marriage and family therapists will be
331-conducting assessments of students or providing services to students
332-based on the results of assessments, and the type of services that will be
333-provided by such school social workers, school psychologists, school
334-counselors, [and] school nurses and licensed marriage and family
335-therapists. Substitute House Bill No. 5466
336-
337-Public Act No. 22-116 11 of 22
338-
339-(c) In determining whether to award an applicant a grant under this
340-section, the commissioner shall give priority to those school districts (1)
341-with large student-to-school social worker ratios, student-to-school
342-psychologist ratios, student-to-school counselor ratios, [or] student-to-
343-school nurse ratios or student-to-licensed marriage and family therapist
344-ratios, or (2) that have a high volume of student utilization of mental
345-health services.
346-(d) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the commissioner may
347-award a grant to an applicant and shall determine the amount of the
348-grant award based on the plan submitted by such applicant pursuant to
349-subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner shall pay a grant to each
350-grant recipient in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, to June
351-30, 2025, inclusive, as follows: (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023,
352-the amount of the grant shall be as determined by the commissioner
353-under this subsection; (2) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, the
354-amount of the grant shall be the same amount as the grant awarded for
355-the prior fiscal year; and (3) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the
356-amount of the grant shall be seventy per cent of the amount of the grant
357-awarded for the prior fiscal year.
358-(e) Grant recipients shall file annual expenditure reports with the
359-department at such time and in such manner as the commissioner
360-prescribes. Grant recipients shall refund to the department (1) any
361-unexpended amounts at the close of the fiscal year in which the grant
362-was awarded, and (2) any amounts not expended in accordance with
363-the plan for which such grant application was approved.
364-(f) The department shall annually track and calculate the utilization
365-rate of the grant program for each grant recipient. Such utilization rate
366-shall be calculated using metrics that include, but need not be limited
367-to, the number of students served and the hours of service provided
368-using grant funds awarded under the program. Substitute House Bill No. 5466
369-
370-Public Act No. 22-116 12 of 22
371-
372-(g) For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section, the
373-Department of Education may accept funds from private sources or any
374-state agency, gifts, grants and donations, including, but not limited to,
375-in-kind donations.
376-(h) (1) Not later than January 1, 2024, and each January first thereafter
377-until and including January 1, 2026, the commissioner shall submit a
378-report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general
379-statutes, on the expenditure report and utilization rate, calculated
380-pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, for each grant recipient to the
381-joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance
382-of matters relating to education and children.
383-(2) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Education
384-shall develop recommendations concerning (A) whether such grant
385-program should be extended and funded for the fiscal year ending June
386-30, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, and (B) the amount of the grant
387-award under the program. The commissioner shall submit such
388-recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of
389-the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General
390-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and
391-children.
392-Sec. 8. Section 5 of public act 22-80, is repealed and the following is
393-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022):
394-For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the Department of Education
395-shall hire a full-time employee to administer the grant program that
396-provides grants to local and regional boards of education for the
397-purpose of hiring and retaining additional school social workers, school
398-psychologists, school counselors, [and] school nurses and licensed
399-marriage and family therapists, described in section 4 of [this act] public
400-act 22-80. Substitute House Bill No. 5466
401-
402-Public Act No. 22-116 13 of 22
403-
404-Sec. 9. Subdivision (10) of subsection (a) of section 10-76d of the 2022
405-supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
406-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022):
407-(10) (A) Each local and regional board of education responsible for
408-providing special education and related services to a child or pupil shall
409-notify the parent or guardian of a child who requires or who may
410-require special education, a pupil if such pupil is an emancipated minor
411-or eighteen years of age or older who requires or who may require
412-special education or a surrogate parent appointed pursuant to section
413-10-94g, in writing, at least five school days before such board proposes
414-to, or refuses to, initiate or change the child's or pupil's identification,
415-evaluation or educational placement or the provision of a free
416-appropriate public education to the child or pupil.
417-(B) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent,
418-the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide such
419-parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent an opportunity to meet with
420-a member of the planning and placement team designated by such
421-board prior to the referral planning and placement team meeting at
422-which the assessments and evaluations of the child or pupil who
423-requires or may require special education is presented to such parent,
424-guardian, pupil or surrogate parent for the first time. Such meeting shall
425-be for the sole purpose of discussing the planning and placement team
426-process and any concerns such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate
427-parent has regarding the child or pupil who requires or may require
428-special education.
429-(C) Such parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent shall (i) be given
430-at least five school days' prior notice of any planning and placement
431-team meeting conducted for such child or pupil, (ii) have the right to be
432-present at and participate in all portions of such meeting at which an
433-educational program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or
434-revised, (iii) have the right to have (I) advisors of such person's own Substitute House Bill No. 5466
435-
436-Public Act No. 22-116 14 of 22
437-
438-choosing and at such person's own expense, (II) the school
439-paraprofessional assigned to such child or pupil, if any, and (III) such
440-child or pupil's birth-to-three service coordinator, if any, attend and
441-participate in all portions of such meeting at which an educational
442-program for such child or pupil is developed, reviewed or revised, and
443-(iv) have the right to have each recommendation made in such child or
444-pupil's birth-to-three individualized transition plan, as required by
445-section 17a-248e, if any, addressed by the planning and placement team
446-during such meeting at which an educational program for such child or
447-pupil is developed.
448-(D) Immediately upon the formal identification of any child as a child
449-requiring special education and at each planning and placement team
450-meeting for such child, the responsible local or regional board of
451-education shall inform the parent or guardian of such child or surrogate
452-parent or, in the case of a pupil who is an emancipated minor or eighteen
453-years of age or older, the pupil of (i) the laws relating to special
454-education, (ii) the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or
455-pupil under such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board
456-of Education relating to special education, including the right of a
457-parent, guardian or surrogate parent to (I) withhold from enrolling such
458-child in kindergarten, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-
459-184, and (II) have advisors and the school paraprofessional assigned to
460-such child or pupil attend and participate in all portions of such meeting
461-at which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed,
462-reviewed or revised, in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph
463-(C) of this subdivision, and (iii) any relevant information and resources
464-relating to individualized education programs created by the
465-Department of Education, including, but not limited to, information
466-relating to transition resources and services for high school students. If
467-such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil does not attend a
468-planning and placement team meeting, the responsible local or regional
469-board of education shall mail such information to such person. Substitute House Bill No. 5466
470-
471-Public Act No. 22-116 15 of 22
472-
473-(E) Each local and regional board of education shall have in effect at
474-the beginning of each school year an educational program for each child
475-or pupil who has been identified as eligible for special education.
476-(F) At each initial planning and placement team meeting for a child
477-or pupil, the responsible local or regional board of education shall
478-inform the parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil of (i) the laws
479-relating to physical restraint and seclusion pursuant to section 10-236b
480-and the rights of such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil under
481-such laws and the regulations adopted by the State Board of Education
482-relating to physical restraint and seclusion, and (ii) the right of such
483-parent, guardian, surrogate parent or pupil, during such meeting at
484-which an educational program for such child or pupil is developed, to
485-have (I) such child or pupil's birth-to-three service coordinator attend
486-and participate in all portions of such meeting, and (II) each
487-recommendation made in the transition plan, as required by section 17a-
488-248e, by such child or pupil's birth-to-three service coordinator
489-addressed by the planning and placement team.
490-(G) Upon request by a parent, guardian, pupil or surrogate parent,
491-the responsible local or regional board of education shall provide the
492-results of the assessments and evaluations used in the determination of
493-eligibility for special education for a child or pupil to such parent,
494-guardian, surrogate parent or pupil at least three school days before the
495-referral planning and placement team meeting at which such results of
496-the assessments and evaluations will be discussed for the first time.
497-(H) Each local or regional board of education shall monitor the
498-development of each child who, pursuant to subsection (a) of section
499-17a-248e, has been (i) referred for a registration on a mobile application
500-designated by the Commissioner of Early Childhood, in partnership
501-with such child's parent, guardian or surrogate parent, or (ii) provided
502-a form for such child's parent, guardian or surrogate parent to complete
503-and submit to such local or regional board of education that screens for Substitute House Bill No. 5466
504-
505-Public Act No. 22-116 16 of 22
506-
507-developmental and social-emotional delays using a validated screening
508-tool, such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Ages and Stages
509-Social-Emotional Questionnaire, or its equivalent. If such monitoring
510-results in suspecting a child of having a developmental delay, the board
511-shall schedule a planning and placement team meeting with such child's
512-parent, guardian or surrogate parent for the purposes of identifying
513-services for which such child may be eligible, including, but not limited
514-to, a preschool program under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
515-Act, 20 USC 1471 et seq. If a parent, guardian or surrogate parent of any
516-child referred for a registration on the mobile application or provided a
517-form to complete and submit, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 17a-
518-248e, fails to complete such registration or complete and submit such
519-form after a period of six months from the date of such referral or
520-provision of such form, the board shall send a reminder, in the form and
521-manner determined by the board, to such parent, guardian or surrogate
522-parent to complete such registration or complete and submit such form.
523-The board shall send another reminder after a period of one year from
524-such referral or provision of such form if such registration remains
525-incomplete or such form is not submitted.
526-(I) Prior to any planning and placement team meeting for a child or
527-pupil in which an educational program for such child or pupil is
528-developed, reviewed or revised, if the parent, guardian, pupil or
529-surrogate parent has requested that the school paraprofessional
530-assigned to such child or pupil attend such meeting, then the
531-responsible local or regional board of education shall provide (i)
532-adequate notice of such meeting to such school paraprofessional so that
533-such school paraprofessional may adequately prepare for such meeting,
534-and (ii) training, upon request of such school paraprofessional, on the
535-role of such school paraprofessional at such meeting. Following such
536-meeting, such school paraprofessional, or any other paraprofessional
537-who is providing special education or related services to such child,
538-shall be permitted to view such educational program in order to be able Substitute House Bill No. 5466
539-
540-Public Act No. 22-116 17 of 22
541-
542-to provide special education or related services to such child or pupil in
543-accordance with such educational program.
544-Sec. 10. Section 13 of public act 22-47, is repealed and the following is
545-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
546-(a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2025,
547-inclusive, the Department of Education shall administer a grant
548-program to provide grants to local and regional boards of education for
549-the purpose of hiring additional school mental health specialists. As
550-used in this section, "school mental health specialist" has the same
551-meaning as provided in section 12 of [this act] public act 22-47.
552-(b) On and after January 1, 2023, a local or regional board of education
553-may submit an application for a grant under this section, in such form
554-and manner as the Commissioner of Education prescribes. As part of the
555-application, the applicant shall submit (1) a plan for the expenditure of
556-grant funds, and (2) (A) for an application submitted before July 1, 2023,
557-the information described in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of
558-subsection (b) of section 12 of [this act] public act 22-47, and (B) for an
559-application submitted on or after July 1, 2023, a copy of the completed
560-survey described in section 12 of [this act] public act 22-47. Such plan
561-shall include, but need not be limited to, the number of additional school
562-mental health specialists to be hired, if such grant funds will be used to
563-retain any of the school mental health specialists hired with the
564-assistance of grant funds awarded under this section, whether such
565-school mental health specialists will be conducting assessments of
566-students or providing services to students based on the results of
567-assessments, [and] the type of services that will be provided by such
568-school mental health specialists, and a description of how such board
569-will implement the provisions of subsection (f) of this section.
570-(c) In determining whether to award an applicant a grant under this
571-section, the Commissioner of Education shall give priority to those Substitute House Bill No. 5466
572-
573-Public Act No. 22-116 18 of 22
574-
575-school districts (1) with large student-to- school mental health specialist
576-ratios, or (2) that have a high volume of student utilization of mental
577-health services.
578-(d) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the Commissioner of
579-Education may award a grant to an applicant and shall determine the
580-amount of the grant award based on the plan submitted by such
581-applicant pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner
582-shall pay a grant to each grant recipient in each of the fiscal years ending
583-June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2025, inclusive, as follows: (1) For the fiscal
584-year ending June 30, 2023, the amount of the grant shall be as
585-determined by the commissioner under this subsection; (2) for the fiscal
586-year ending June 30, 2024, the amount of the grant shall be the same
587-amount as the grant awarded for the prior fiscal year; and (3) for the
588-fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the amount of the grant shall be seventy
589-per cent of the amount of the grant awarded for the prior fiscal year.
590-(e) Grant recipients shall file annual expenditure reports with the
591-Department of Education at such time, and in such manner, as the
592-commissioner prescribes. A grant recipient shall only expend grant
593-funds received under this section in accordance with the plan submitted
594-pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and a grant recipient may not
595-use such grant funds received under this section for the purpose of any
596-operating expenses that existed prior to receipt of such grant. Grant
597-recipients shall refund to the department (1) any unexpended amounts
598-at the close of the fiscal year in which the grant was awarded, and (2)
599-any amounts not expended in accordance with the plan for which such
600-grant application was approved.
601-(f) If a local or regional board of education receives a grant under this
602-section for the hiring of a school counselor, such school counselor shall
603-provide one-on-one consultations with each student in grades eleven
604-and twelve on the completion of the Free Application for Federal
605-Student Aid. If such board can provide evidence to the Commissioner Substitute House Bill No. 5466
606-
607-Public Act No. 22-116 19 of 22
608-
609-of Education that the student completion rate of the Free Application for
610-Federal Student Aid for the school district has increased by at least five
611-per cent, such board shall receive an additional grant in the amount of
612-ten per cent of the grant received under this section for the fiscal year in
613-which such board provided such evidence.
614-[(f)] (g) (1) The Department of Education shall annually track and
615-calculate the utilization rate of the grant program for each grant
616-recipient. Such utilization rate shall be calculated using metrics that
617-include, but need not be limited to, the number of students served and
618-the hours of service provided using grant funds awarded under the
619-program.
620-(2) The department shall annually calculate the return on investment
621-for the grant program using the expenditure reports filed pursuant to
622-subsection (e) of this section and the utilization rates calculated
623-pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.
624-[(g)] (h) For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section,
625-the Department of Education may accept funds from private sources or
626-any state agency, gifts, grants and donations, including, but not limited
627-to, in-kind donations.
628-[(h)] (i) (1) Not later than January 1, 2024, and each January first
629-thereafter, until and including January 1, 2026, the Commissioner of
630-Education shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of
631-section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the utilization rate for each grant
632-recipient and the return on investment for the grant program, calculated
633-pursuant to subsection [(f)] (g) of this section, to the joint standing
634-committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
635-relating to education and children.
636-(2) Not later than January 1, 2026, the commissioner shall develop
637-recommendations concerning (A) whether such grant program should Substitute House Bill No. 5466
638-
639-Public Act No. 22-116 20 of 22
640-
641-be extended and funded for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and
642-each fiscal year thereafter, and (B) the amount of the grant award under
643-the program. The commissioner shall submit such recommendations, in
644-accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes,
645-to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having
646-cognizance of matters relating to education and children.
647-Sec. 11. Section 11 of public act 22-80, is repealed and the following is
648-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
649-(a) There is established a task force to study the governance structure
650-and internal procedures of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic
651-Conference. Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, an
652-examination of the leadership structure of the conference and how
653-leadership positions are filled, and how the conference receives and
654-resolves complaints filed by members of the conference and individuals.
655-(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
656-(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
657-who [has expertise in coaching] is a coach for a public school district that
658-is member of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference;
659-(2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, each
660-of whom are the parent or guardian of a student athlete for a school that
661-is a member of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference;
662-(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of
663-Representatives, who is an expert in diversity in sports that is a member
664-of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference;
665-(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who is an
666-athletic director for a public school district that is a member of the
667-Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference; Substitute House Bill No. 5466
668-
669-Public Act No. 22-116 21 of 22
670-
671-(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
672-Representatives, who has expertise in sports management;
673-(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who is an
674-administrator at a school that is a member of the Connecticut
675-Interscholastic Athletic Conference; and
676-(7) The director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic
677-Conference, or the director's designee.
678-(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1),
679-(2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member
680-of the General Assembly.
681-(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later
682-than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall
683-be filled by the appointing authority.
684-(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro
685-tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from
686-among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule
687-the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty
688-days after the effective date of this section.
689-(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
690-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education
691-shall serve as administrative staff of the task force.
692-(g) Not later than January 1, 2023, the task force shall submit a report,
693-in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes,
694-on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of
695-the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
696-education. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such
697-report or January 1, 2023, whichever is later. Substitute House Bill No. 5466
698-
699-Public Act No. 22-116 22 of 22
700-
208+ED Joint Favorable Subst. C/R APP
209+APP Joint Favorable
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