CT
Connecticut House Bill HB06882

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06882 Compare Versions

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7+General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6882
8+January Session, 2023
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6-Public Act No. 23-160
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9-AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF AND
10-OTHER TECHNICAL AND ASSORTED REVISIONS AND ADDITIONS
11-TO THE EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
12-STATUTES.
14+AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF.
1315 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1416 Assembly convened:
1517
16-Section 1. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) The executive director of the
17-Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, or the executive
18-director's designee, shall convene a working group to (1) review
19-mandates on the Department of Education and local and regional
20-boards of education in the general statutes, the regulations of
21-Connecticut state agencies and federal law for the purpose of
22-identifying those mandates that are overly burdensome or have the
23-effect of limiting or restricting the provision of instruction or services to
24-students, including a detailed analysis of each such mandate so
25-identified, the specific statutory or regulation citation for such mandate
26-and how such mandate is imposed on the department or board of
27-education, and (2) recommendations regarding the (A) development of
28-a biennial review process to examine the laws governing education in
29-the general statutes and the regulations of Connecticut state agencies for
30-the purpose of identifying obsolete or duplicative mandates on the
31-Department of Education or local and regional boards of education, and
32-(B) repeal of or amendment to any such statute or regulation. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
18+Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Department of Education 1
19+shall develop a biennial review process to examine the laws governing 2
20+education in the general statutes and regulations of Connecticut state 3
21+agencies for the purpose of identifying obsolete or duplicative mandates 4
22+on the department or local and regional boards of education. The 5
23+department may provide an opportunity for public comment or seek 6
24+input from students, parents, educators, boards of education and other 7
25+education stakeholders while conducting such review. Not later than 8
26+January 1, 2024, and every two years thereafter, the Commissioner of 9
27+Education shall submit a report that includes recommendations for the 10
28+repeal or revision of such obsolete or duplicative mandates to the joint 11
29+standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 12
30+matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of 13
31+section 11-4a of the general statutes. 14
32+Sec. 2. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) There is established an Education 15
33+Mandates Review Task Force. The task force shall be responsible for 16
34+reviewing mandates on the Department of Education and local and 17
35+regional boards of education in the general statutes, regulations of 18
36+Connecticut state agencies and federal law for the purpose of 19 Substitute Bill No. 6882
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36-(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:
37-(1) A representative from each of the following organizations,
38-designated by each such organization:
39-(A) The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education;
40-(B) The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents;
41-(C) The Connecticut PTA;
42-(D) The American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut;
43-(E) The Connecticut Education Association; and
44-(F) The Connecticut Association of School Business Officials;
45-(2) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing
46-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
47-relating to education, or the chairpersons' and ranking members'
48-designees; and
49-(3) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee.
50-(c) All initial appointments to the working group shall be made not
51-later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy
52-shall be filled by the appointing authority.
53-(d) The executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards
54-of Education, or the executive director's designee, shall serve as the
55-chairperson of the working group. The chairperson shall schedule the
56-first meeting of the working group, which shall be held not later than
57-sixty days after the effective date of this section.
58-(e) The working group may provide an opportunity for public
59-comment or seek input from students, parents, educators, boards of
60-education and other education stakeholders while conducting the Substitute House Bill No. 6882
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43+identifying those mandates which are overly burdensome or have the 20
44+effect of limiting or restricting the provision of instruction or services to 21
45+students. The task force shall provide a detailed analysis of each such 22
46+mandate so identified, including the specific statutory or regulation 23
47+citation for such mandate and how such mandate is imposed on the 24
48+department or board of education. The task force may provide 25
49+recommendations for the repeal of or amendment to any such statute or 26
50+regulation. 27
51+(b) The task force shall consist of the following members: 28
52+(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 29
53+who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards 30
54+of Education; 31
55+(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who 32
56+shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public School 33
57+Superintendents; 34
58+(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 35
59+Representatives, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut 36
60+Education Association; 37
61+(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be 38
62+a representative of the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut; 39
63+(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 40
64+Representatives, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut 41
65+Association of Schools; 42
66+(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be 43
67+a representative of the Connecticut Association of School Business 44
68+Officials; 45
69+(7) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing 46
70+committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 47
71+relating to education; and 48 Substitute Bill No. 6882
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64-review and developing its recommendations under this section.
65-(f) Not later than January 1, 2025, the working group shall submit a
66-report on its review of such mandates and its recommendations for the
67-repeal of or amendment to any state mandates and development of a
68-biennial review process to the joint standing committee of the General
69-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in
70-accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
71-The working group shall terminate on the date that it submits such
72-report or July 1, 2025, whichever is later.
73-Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the general statutes is
74-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
75-2023):
76-(a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-
77-service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil
78-personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or
79-professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such
80-teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1)
81-the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in
82-subdivision (17) of section 21a-240, to health and personality
83-development, and procedures for discouraging their abuse, (2) health
84-and mental health risk reduction education that includes, but need not
85-be limited to, the prevention of risk-taking behavior by children and the
86-relationship of such behavior to substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually
87-transmitted diseases, including HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in
88-section 19a-581, violence, teen dating violence, domestic violence and
89-child abuse, (3) school violence prevention, conflict resolution, the
90-prevention of and response to youth suicide and the identification and
91-prevention of and response to bullying, as defined in subsection (a) of
92-section 10-222d, except that (A) those boards of education that
93-implement any evidence-based model approach that is approved by the
94-Department of Education and is consistent with subsection (c) of section Substitute House Bill No. 6882
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98-10-145a, sections 10-222d, 10-222g and 10-222h, subsection (g) of section
99-10-233c and sections 1 and 3 of public act 08-160, shall not be required
100-to provide in-service training on the identification and prevention of
101-and response to bullying, and (B) such school violence prevention
102-training shall be in a manner prescribed in a school security and safety
103-plan, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-222n, (4)
104-cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency life saving
105-procedures, (5) the requirements and obligations of a mandated
106-reporter, (6) the detection and recognition of, and evidence-based
107-structured literacy interventions for, students with dyslexia, as defined
108-in section 10-3d, (7) culturally responsive pedagogy and practice,
109-including, but not limited to, the video training module relating to
110-implicit bias and anti-bias in the hiring process in accordance with the
111-provisions of section 10-156hh, [and] (8) the principles and practices of
112-social-emotional learning and restorative practices, and (9) emergency
113-response to students who experience a seizure in a school, including,
114-but not limited to, the recognition of the signs and symptoms of
115-seizures, the appropriate steps for seizure first aid, information about
116-seizure action plans for students and, for those authorized to administer
117-medication under section 10-212a, the administration of seizure rescue
118-medication or prescribed electrical stimulation using a Vagus Nerve
119-Stimulator magnet. Each local or regional board of education [may] shall
120-allow any [paraprofessional] paraeducator or noncertified employee to
121-participate, on a voluntary basis, in any in-service training program
122-provided pursuant to this section.
123-Sec. 3. Subsection (e) of section 10-220 of the general statutes is
124-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
125-2023):
126-(e) Each local and regional board of education shall establish a school
127-district curriculum committee. The committee shall recommend,
128-develop, review and approve all curriculum for the local or regional Substitute House Bill No. 6882
78+(8) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee. 49
79+(c) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later 50
80+than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall 51
81+be filled by the appointing authority. 52
82+(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president 53
83+pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force 54
84+from among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall 55
85+schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later 56
86+than sixty days after the effective date of this section. 57
87+(e) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 58
88+General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education 59
89+shall serve as administrative staff of the task force. 60
90+(f) Not later than February 1, 2024, the task force shall submit a report 61
91+on its review and analysis of such mandates, and any recommendations 62
92+for repeal of or amendment to any state mandates, to the joint standing 63
93+committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 64
94+relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a 65
95+of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it 66
96+submits such report or July 1, 2024, whichever is later. 67
97+Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the general statutes is 68
98+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 69
99+2023): 70
100+(a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-71
101+service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil 72
102+personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or 73
103+professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such 74
104+teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1) 75
105+the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in 76
106+subdivision (17) of section 21a-240, to health and personality 77
107+development, and procedures for discouraging their abuse, (2) health 78
108+and mental health risk reduction education that includes, but need not 79 Substitute Bill No. 6882
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132-school district. Each local and regional board of education shall make
133-available all curriculum approved by the committee and all associated
134-curriculum materials in accordance with the requirements of the
135-Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, 20 USC 1232h.
136-Sec. 4. Section 10-73d of the general statutes is repealed and the
137-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
138-A public school student who is both under seventeen years of age and
139-a [mother] parent may request permission from the local or regional
140-board of education to attend adult education classes. The local or
141-regional board of education may, by a majority vote of the members of
142-the board present and voting at a regular or special meeting of the board
143-called for such purpose, assign such student to adult education classes.
144-Sec. 5. Section 10-15k of the general statutes is repealed and the
145-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
146-(a) As used in this section: [, "remote learning"]
147-(1) "Remote learning" means instruction by means of one or more
148-Internet-based software platforms as part of a remote learning model;
149-and
150-(2) "Eligible student" means a student who resides in the state, but is
151-unable to attend school in person due to a medical diagnosis, including
152-a psychological or physical condition or restriction, or medical
153-exemption to required immunizations, documented by the child's
154-health care provider.
155-(b) The Department of Education shall develop a plan for the creation
156-and implementation of a state-wide remote learning school that offers
157-grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, and provides remote learning
158-to students. In the course of developing such plan, the department shall
159-(1) consider the findings and recommendations of the report created by Substitute House Bill No. 6882
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115+be limited to, the prevention of risk-taking behavior by children and the 80
116+relationship of such behavior to substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually 81
117+transmitted diseases, including HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in 82
118+section 19a-581, violence, teen dating violence, domestic violence and 83
119+child abuse, (3) school violence prevention, conflict resolution, the 84
120+prevention of and response to youth suicide and the identification and 85
121+prevention of and response to bullying, as defined in subsection (a) of 86
122+section 10-222d, except that (A) those boards of education that 87
123+implement any evidence-based model approach that is approved by the 88
124+Department of Education and is consistent with subsection (c) of section 89
125+10-145a, sections 10-222d, 10-222g and 10-222h, subsection (g) of section 90
126+10-233c and sections 1 and 3 of public act 08-160, shall not be required 91
127+to provide in-service training on the identification and prevention of 92
128+and response to bullying, and (B) such school violence prevention 93
129+training shall be in a manner prescribed in a school security and safety 94
130+plan, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-222n, (4) 95
131+cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency life saving 96
132+procedures, (5) the requirements and obligations of a mandated 97
133+reporter, (6) the detection and recognition of, and evidence-based 98
134+structured literacy interventions for, students with dyslexia, as defined 99
135+in section 10-3d, (7) culturally responsive pedagogy and practice, 100
136+including, but not limited to, the video training module relating to 101
137+implicit bias and anti-bias in the hiring process in accordance with the 102
138+provisions of section 10-156hh, and (8) the principles and practices of 103
139+social-emotional learning and restorative practices. Each local or 104
140+regional board of education may allow any [paraprofessional] 105
141+paraeducator or noncertified employee to participate, on a voluntary 106
142+basis, in any in-service training program provided pursuant to this 107
143+section. 108
144+Sec. 4. Subsection (c) of section 10-221a of the general statutes is 109
145+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from 110
146+passage): 111
147+(c) Commencing with classes graduating in 2023, and for each 112 Substitute Bill No. 6882
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163-the Connecticut Remote Learning Commission pursuant to section 10-
164-15j, as amended by this act, (2) review remote learning schools and
165-models being implemented in other states, and (3) estimate the number
166-of eligible students. [who reside in Connecticut that may be eligible to
167-enroll in such state-wide remote learning school.] The department shall
168-use, to the extent permissible under federal guidelines, funds received
169-from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental
170-Appropriations Act, P.L. 116-260, as amended from time to time, to
171-develop such plan.
172-(c) Any state-wide remote learning school that may be created under
173-such plan shall (1) be maintained by and under the direction and control
174-of the State Board of Education, (2) provide in each school year not less
175-than one hundred eighty days of actual school sessions and nine
176-hundred hours of actual school work for grades kindergarten to twelve,
177-inclusive, provided not more than seven hours of actual school work in
178-any school day shall count toward the total required for the school year,
179-(3) offer coursework and a curriculum that is rigorous, aligned with
180-curriculum guidelines approved by the State Board of Education, and in
181-accordance with the state-wide subject matter content standards,
182-adopted by the state board pursuant to section 10-4, (4) grant a diploma,
183-in accordance with the provisions of section 10-5, to any student
184-enrolled in such state-wide remote learning school who has
185-satisfactorily completed the high school graduation requirements
186-described in section 10-221a, and (5) be created with consideration given
187-to best practices in remote learning, technological capabilities of
188-students throughout the state and equity.
189-(d) The department shall draft a request for proposals for any items
190-required to create and implement a state-wide remote learning school.
191-(e) Not later than [July 1, 2023] January 1, 2024, the department shall
192-submit the plan, the draft request for proposals and any
193-recommendations for legislation related to the implementation of such Substitute House Bill No. 6882
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197-plan to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having
198-cognizance of matters relating to education and appropriations, in
199-accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.
200-Sec. 6. Section 10-220 of the general statutes is amended by adding
201-subsection (g) as follows (Effective July 1, 2023):
202-(NEW) (g) Each local or regional board of education conducting a
203-regular or special meeting of such board shall make available for public
204-inspection the agenda for the meeting or any associated documents that
205-may be reviewed by members of the board at such meeting and post
206-such agenda and documents on the Internet web site of such board.
207-Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) The Commissioner of
208-Education shall convene a family and community engagement in
209-education council. The council shall (1) advise the commissioner on
210-issues and policies related to family and community engagement in
211-education, (2) provide parent and community feedback on products and
212-initiatives offered by the Department of Education, (3) review and make
213-recommendations regarding the State Board of Education's five year
214-comprehensive plan concerning school-family-community partnership
215-initiatives, and (4) review and make recommendations regarding
216-effective practices to increase school and district capacity to develop
217-successful partnerships and families' capacity to support their children's
218-education. The council shall meet at least quarterly.
219-(b) The commissioner shall select the membership of the council,
220-provided such membership balances representation from school and
221-district staff, parents and guardians of students and community
222-members who reflect the state's geographic, economic, ethnic and racial
223-diversity and bring an authentic parent and community voice to the
224-council.
225-(c) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the council Substitute House Bill No. 6882
154+graduating class thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall 113
155+permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to 114
156+any student who has not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty-115
157+five credits, including not fewer than: (1) Nine credits in the humanities, 116
158+including civics and the arts; (2) nine credits in science, technology, 117
159+engineering and mathematics; (3) one credit in physical education and 118
160+wellness; (4) one credit in health and safety education, as described in 119
161+section 10-16b; and (5) one credit in world languages, subject to the 120
162+provisions of subsection (g) of this section. [; and (6)] A local or regional 121
163+board of education may require a student to complete a one credit 122
164+mastery-based diploma assessment in order to graduate from high 123
165+school or be granted a diploma.124
166+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
167+sections:
226168
227-Public Act No. 23-160 8 of 75
169+Section 1 July 1, 2023 New section
170+Sec. 2 July 1, 2023 New section
171+Sec. 3 July 1, 2023 10-220a(a)
172+Sec. 4 from passage 10-221a(c)
228173
229-shall submit a report on its review and recommendations regarding the
230-comprehensive five-year plan regarding school-family-community
231-partnership initiatives to the State Board of Education and the joint
232-standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
233-matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of
234-section 11-4a of the general statutes.
235-Sec. 8. Subsection (e) of section 10-16x of the general statutes is
236-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
237-2023):
238-(e) The Department of Education shall, [provide grant recipients with
239-technical assistance, evaluation, program monitoring, professional
240-development and accreditation support] in collaboration with regional
241-educational service centers, support grant recipients by (1) monitoring
242-and evaluating programs and activities, (2) conducting a comprehensive
243-evaluation of the effectiveness of programs and implementing risk
244-assessments, (3) providing technical assistance and training to eligible
245-applicants, and (4) ensuring program activities are aligned with state
246-academic standards. The department may retain up to [four] seven and
247-one-half per cent of the amount appropriated for the grant program for
248-purposes of this subsection.
249-Sec. 9. Section 10-357b of the general statutes is repealed and the
250-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
251-(a) The purposes of the State Education Resource Center, established
252-pursuant to section 10-357a, shall be to assist the State Board of
253-Education in the provision of programs and activities that will promote
254-educational equity and excellence. Such activities shall be limited to:
255-Training, technical assistance and professional development for local
256-and regional boards of education, school leaders, teachers, families and
257-community partners in the form of seminars, publications, site visits, on-
258-line content and other appropriate means; maintaining a state education Substitute House Bill No. 6882
174+Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
175+In Section 2, Subsec. (c) was deleted for proper form, and in Subsec. (f),
176+"such mandates" was changed to "any state mandates", for accuracy; in
177+Section 3(a)(3)(B), "training be in" was changed to "training shall be in",
178+for clarity.
259179
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261-
262-resource center library; publication of technical materials; research and
263-evaluation; writing, managing, administering and coordinating grants
264-for the purposes described in this subsection; and any other related
265-activities directly related to the purposes described in this subsection.
266-The center shall support local educational agencies serving the needs of
267-families, communities and service providers. The center shall support
268-programs and activities concerning early childhood education, in
269-collaboration with the Office of Early Childhood, improving school and
270-district academic performance, and closing opportunity gaps between
271-socio-economic subgroups, and other related programs and activities.
272-The center shall support and collaborate with other state agencies for
273-the purposes described in this subsection. For such purposes the center
274-is authorized and empowered to:
275-(1) Have perpetual succession as a body politic and corporate and to
276-adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its
277-business;
278-(2) Adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;
279-(3) Maintain an office at such place or places as it may designate;
280-(4) Sue and be sued in its own name and plead and be impleaded;
281-(5) (A) Employ such assistants, agents and other employees as may
282-be necessary or desirable who shall not be employees, as defined in
283-subsection (b) of section 5-270; (B) establish all necessary or appropriate
284-personnel practices and policies, including those relating to hiring,
285-promotion, compensation, retirement and collective bargaining, which
286-need not be in accordance with chapter 68, and the center shall not be
287-an employer as defined in subsection (a) of section 5-270; and (C) engage
288-consultants, attorneys and appraisers as may be necessary or desirable
289-to carry out its purposes in accordance with this section and sections 10-
290-357a, 10-357c and 10-357d; Substitute House Bill No. 6882
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294-(6) Receive and accept aid or contributions from any source of money,
295-property, labor or other things of value, to be held, used and applied to
296-carry out the purposes of this section and sections 10-357a, 10-357c and
297-10-357d, subject to such conditions upon which such grants and
298-contributions may be made, including, but not limited to, gifts or grants
299-from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or
300-this state for any purpose consistent with this section and sections 10-
301-357a, 10-357c and 10-357d;
302-(7) Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or
303-incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its
304-powers under this section and sections 10-357a, 10-357c and 10-357d,
305-including contracts and agreements for such professional services as the
306-center deems necessary, including, but not limited to, those services
307-provided by financial consultants, underwriters and technical
308-specialists;
309-(8) Acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of
310-personal property, and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements
311-with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to
312-the carrying out of these purposes;
313-(9) Invest in, acquire, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of
314-real property and convey or deal in or enter into agreements with
315-respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to
316-carrying out the purposes of this section and sections 10-357a, 10-357c
317-and 10-357d; [, provided such transactions shall be subject to approval,
318-review or regulation by any state agency pursuant to title 4b or any other
319-provision of the general statutes;]
320-(10) Lease real property on any terms necessary or incidental to
321-carrying out the purposes of this section and sections 10-357a, 10-357c
322-and 10-357d; Substitute House Bill No. 6882
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326-(11) Procure insurance against any liability or loss in connection with
327-its property and other assets, in such amounts and from such insurers
328-as it deems desirable and to procure insurance for employees;
329-(12) Account for and audit funds of the center and funds of any
330-recipients of funds from the center;
331-(13) Hold patents, copyrights, trademarks, marketing rights, licenses,
332-or any other evidences of protection or exclusivity as to any products as
333-defined in this section and sections 10-357a, 10-357c and 10-357d, issued
334-under the laws of the United States or any state or any nation;
335-(14) Establish advisory committees to assist in accomplishing its
336-duties under this section and sections 10-357a, 10-357c and 10-357d,
337-which may include one or more members of the board of directors and
338-persons other than members; and
339-(15) Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the
340-purposes of this section and sections 10-357a, 10-357c and 10-357d, and
341-the powers expressly granted by this section and sections 10-357a, 10-
342-357c and 10-357d.
343-(b) The State Education Resource Center shall establish a Connecticut
344-School Reform Resource Center either within the State Education
345-Resource Center or by contract through a regional educational service
346-center, established pursuant to section 10-66a. The Connecticut School
347-Reform Resource Center shall operate year-round and shall focus on
348-serving the needs of all public schools. The Connecticut School Reform
349-Resource Center shall (1) publish and distribute reports on the most
350-effective practices for improving student achievement by successful
351-schools; (2) provide a program of professional development activities
352-for (A) school leaders, including curriculum coordinators, principals,
353-superintendents and board of education members, and (B) teachers to
354-educate students that includes research-based child development and Substitute House Bill No. 6882
355-
356-Public Act No. 23-160 12 of 75
357-
358-reading instruction tools and practices; (3) provide information on
359-successful models for evaluating student performance and managing
360-student data; (4) develop strategies for assisting such students who are
361-in danger of failing; (5) develop culturally relevant methods for
362-educating students whose primary language is not English; and (6)
363-provide other programs and materials to assist in the improvement of
364-public schools.
365-(c) The State Education Resource Center shall be subject to [(1) rules,
366-regulations and restrictions on purchasing, procurement, personal
367-service agreements and the disposition of assets generally applicable to
368-Connecticut state agencies, including those contained in titles 4, 4a and
369-4b and section 4e-19, and (2)] audit by the Auditors of Public Accounts
370-under chapter 12 and section 2-90.
371-Sec. 10. Section 10-212k of the general statutes is repealed and the
372-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
373-On and after September 1, [2023] 2024, each local and regional board
374-of education shall provide free menstrual products, as defined in section
375-18-69e, in women's restrooms, all-gender restrooms and at least one
376-men's restroom, which restrooms are accessible to students in grades
377-three to twelve, inclusive, in each school under the jurisdiction of such
378-boards and in a manner that does not stigmatize any student seeking
379-such products, pursuant to guidelines established by the Commissioner
380-of Public Health under section 19a-131l. To carry out the provisions of
381-this section, the local and regional boards of education may (1) accept
382-donations of menstrual products and grants from any source for the
383-purpose of purchasing such products, and (2) partner with a nonprofit
384-or community-based organization.
385-Sec. 11. Subsection (a) of section 10-211a of the general statutes is
386-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
387-passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6882
388-
389-Public Act No. 23-160 13 of 75
390-
391-(a) As used in this section and section 10-211b, "designated staff
392-member" means a teacher, school administrator, school counselor,
393-[school counselor,] psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician or
394-school paraeducator employed by a local or regional board of education
395-or working in a public middle school or high school.
396-Sec. 12. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-111e of the
397-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
398-thereof (Effective from passage):
399-(2) The commissioner shall suspend, for a period of sixty days, the
400-motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege of
401-any person who has been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) of
402-subsection (b) of section 30-89 or subsection (b) [,] or (c) of section 21a-
403-279a and who was under the age of twenty-one at the time of such
404-violation.
405-Sec. 13. Subsection (d) of section 10-265s of the general statutes is
406-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
407-passage):
408-(d) Not later than December 1, 2023, the Office of Workforce Strategy
409-shall submit a report to the Governor and the joint standing committees
410-of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
411-education, higher education and employment advancement and labor
412-and public employees, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-
413-4a. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of
414-individuals who have enrolled in a training program offered as part of
415-the pilot program, the number of individuals who have completed such
416-training programs, and the number of individuals who have completed
417-such training program and obtained a permanent job in the heating,
418-ventilation and air conditioning system sector.
419-Sec. 14. Subsection (c) of section 8-210 of the general statutes is Substitute House Bill No. 6882
420-
421-Public Act No. 23-160 14 of 75
422-
423-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
424-passage):
425-(c) The Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with
426-representatives from child care centers, group child care homes and
427-family child care homes, within available appropriations, shall develop
428-guidelines for programs provided at state-contracted child care centers,
429-group child care [home] homes and family child care homes. The
430-guidelines shall include standards for program quality and design and
431-identify short and long-term outcomes for families participating in such
432-programs. The Office of Early Childhood, within available
433-appropriations, shall provide a copy of such guidelines to each state-
434-contracted child care center, group child care home and family child
435-care home. Each state-contracted child care center, group child care
436-home and family child care home shall use the guidelines to develop a
437-program improvement plan for the next twelve-month period and shall
438-submit the plan to the Office of Early Childhood. The plan shall include
439-goals to be used for measuring such improvement. The Office of Early
440-Childhood shall use the plan to monitor the progress of such child care
441-center, group child care home or family child care home.
442-Sec. 15. Subdivision (5) of subsection (c) of section 10-15j of the
443-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
444-thereof (Effective from passage):
445-(5) Two appointed by the minority leader of the House of
446-Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut
447-Association of Schools and one of whom is a representative of the
448-Connecticut Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents;
449-Sec. 16. Subsection (e) of section 10-15j of the general statutes is
450-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
451-passage): Substitute House Bill No. 6882
452-
453-Public Act No. 23-160 15 of 75
454-
455-(e) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee,
456-shall serve as the [chairpersons] chairperson of the commission.
457-Sec. 17. Section 10-16 of the general statutes is repealed and the
458-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
459-Each school district shall provide in each school year no less than one
460-hundred [and] eighty days of actual school sessions for grades
461-kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, nine hundred hours of actual school
462-work for full-day kindergarten and grades one to twelve, inclusive, and
463-four hundred [and] fifty hours of half-day kindergarten, provided
464-school districts shall not count more than seven hours of actual school
465-work in any school day towards the total required for the school year.
466-Remote learning shall be considered an actual school session for
467-purposes of this section, provided such remote learning is conducted in
468-compliance with the standards developed pursuant to subsection (b) of
469-section 10-4w. If weather conditions result in an early dismissal or a
470-delayed opening of school, a school district which maintains separate
471-morning and afternoon half-day kindergarten sessions may provide
472-either a morning or afternoon half-day kindergarten session on such
473-day. As used in this section, "remote learning" means instruction by
474-means of one or more Internet-based software platforms as part of a
475-remote learning model.
476-Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 10-16b of the general statutes, as
477-amended by section 376 of public act 21-2 of the June special session and
478-section 263 of public act 22-118, is repealed and the following is
479-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
480-(a) In the public schools the program of instruction offered shall
481-include at least the following subject matter, as taught by legally
482-qualified teachers, the arts; career education; consumer education;
483-health and safety, including, but not limited to, human growth and
484-development, nutrition, first aid, including cardiopulmonary Substitute House Bill No. 6882
485-
486-Public Act No. 23-160 16 of 75
487-
488-resuscitation training in accordance with the provisions of section 10-
489-16qq, disease prevention and cancer awareness, including, but not
490-limited to, age and developmentally appropriate instruction in
491-performing self-examinations for the purposes of screening for breast
492-cancer and testicular cancer, community and consumer health, physical,
493-mental and emotional health, including youth suicide prevention,
494-substance abuse prevention, including instruction relating to opioid use
495-and related disorders, safety, which shall include the safe use of social
496-media, as defined in section 9-601, and may include the dangers of gang
497-membership, and accident prevention; language arts, including reading,
498-writing, grammar, speaking and spelling; mathematics; physical
499-education; science, which shall include the climate change curriculum
500-described in subsection (d) of this section; social studies, including, but
501-not limited to, citizenship, economics, geography, government, history
502-and Holocaust and genocide education and awareness in accordance
503-with the provisions of section 10-18f; African-American and black
504-studies in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16ss; Puerto
505-Rican and Latino studies in accordance with the provisions of section
506-10-16ss; Native American studies, in accordance with the provisions of
507-section 10-16vv; computer programming instruction; and in addition,
508-on at least the secondary level, one or more world languages; vocational
509-education; and the black and Latino studies course in accordance with
510-the provisions of sections 10-16tt and 10-16uu. For purposes of this
511-subsection, world languages shall include American Sign Language,
512-provided such subject matter is taught by a qualified instructor under
513-the supervision of a teacher who holds a certificate issued by the State
514-Board of Education. For purposes of this subsection, the "arts" means
515-any form of visual or performing arts, which may include, but not be
516-limited to, dance, music, art and theatre; and "reading" means
517-evidenced-based instruction that focuses on competency in oral
518-language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, rapid
519-automatic name or letter name fluency and reading comprehension. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
520-
521-Public Act No. 23-160 17 of 75
522-
523-Sec. 19. Subsection (a) of section 10-16b of the general statutes, as
524-amended by section 32 of public act 22-80, is repealed and the following
525-is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):
526-(a) In the public schools the program of instruction offered shall
527-include at least the following subject matter, as taught by legally
528-qualified teachers, the arts; career education; consumer education;
529-health and safety, including, but not limited to, human growth and
530-development, nutrition, first aid, including cardiopulmonary
531-resuscitation training in accordance with the provisions of section 10-
532-16qq, disease prevention and cancer awareness, including, but not
533-limited to, age and developmentally appropriate instruction in
534-performing self-examinations for the purposes of screening for breast
535-cancer and testicular cancer, community and consumer health, physical,
536-mental and emotional health, including youth suicide prevention,
537-substance abuse prevention, including instruction relating to opioid use
538-and related disorders, safety, which shall include the safe use of social
539-media, as defined in section 9-601, and may include the dangers of gang
540-membership, and accident prevention; language arts, including reading,
541-writing, grammar, speaking and spelling; mathematics; physical
542-education; science, which may include the climate change curriculum
543-described in subsection (d) of this section; social studies, including, but
544-not limited to, citizenship, economics, geography, government, history
545-and Holocaust and genocide education and awareness in accordance
546-with the provisions of section 10-18f; African-American and black
547-studies in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16ss; Puerto
548-Rican and Latino studies in accordance with the provisions of section
549-10-16ss; Native American studies, in accordance with the provisions of
550-section 10-16vv; Asian American and Pacific Islander studies, in
551-accordance with the provisions of section 10-66ww; computer
552-programming instruction; and in addition, on at least the secondary
553-level, one or more world languages; vocational education; and the black
554-and Latino studies course in accordance with the provisions of sections Substitute House Bill No. 6882
555-
556-Public Act No. 23-160 18 of 75
557-
558-10-16tt and 10-16uu. For purposes of this subsection, world languages
559-shall include American Sign Language, provided such subject matter is
560-taught by a qualified instructor under the supervision of a teacher who
561-holds a certificate issued by the State Board of Education. For purposes
562-of this subsection, the "arts" means any form of visual or performing
563-arts, which may include, but not be limited to, dance, music, art and
564-theatre; and "reading" means evidenced-based instruction that focuses
565-on competency in oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency,
566-vocabulary, rapid automatic name or letter name fluency and reading
567-comprehension.
568-Sec. 20. Section 10-204d of the general statutes is repealed and the
569-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
570-Any [person] student who is exempt from the immunization
571-requirements set forth in section 10-204a on religious grounds shall
572-continue to be exempt from such requirements on religious grounds if
573-such student transfers from one public or private school in the state to
574-another public or private school in the state under the jurisdiction of
575-either the same or a different local or regional board of education, or
576-similar body governing a nonpublic school or schools.
577-Sec. 21. Subsection (b) of section 10-215l of the general statutes is
578-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
579-passage):
580-(b) A local or regional board of education, a regional educational
581-service center, a cooperative arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a,
582-child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes,
583-as such terms are described in section 19a-77, or any organization or
584-entity administering or assisting in the development of a farm-to-school
585-program, may apply, in a form and manner prescribed by the
586-department, for a grant under this section. Such grant shall be used to
587-develop or implement a farm-to-school program, which may include (1) Substitute House Bill No. 6882
588-
589-Public Act No. 23-160 19 of 75
590-
591-the purchase of equipment, resources or materials, including, but not
592-limited to, local food products, gardening supplies, field trips to farms,
593-gleaning on farms and stipends to visiting farmers, (2) the provision of
594-professional development and skills training for educators, school
595-nutrition professionals, parents, caregivers, child care providers and
596-employees and volunteers of organizations administering or assisting in
597-the development and implementation of farm-to-school programs, and
598-(3) piloting new purchasing systems and programs.
599-Sec. 22. Subsection (f) of section 10-215l of the general statutes is
600-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
601-passage):
602-(f) Not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the
603-department shall submit a report on the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant
604-Program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
605-having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with
606-the provisions of section 11-4a. Such report shall include, but need not
607-be limited to, an accounting of the funds appropriated and received by
608-the department for the program, descriptions of each grant awarded
609-under the program and how such grant was expended by the recipient
610-[,] and an evaluation of the program and the success of local farm-to-
611-school programs that have received grant awards under this section.
612-Sec. 23. Subsection (b) of section 10-221w of the general statutes is
613-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
614-passage):
615-(b) Not later than July 1, 2022, each local and regional board of
616-education shall adopt a policy, or revise an existing policy, concerning
617-the eligibility criteria for student enrollment in an advanced course or
618-program. Such policy shall provide for multiple methods by which a
619-student may satisfy the eligibility criteria for enrollment in an advanced
620-course or program, including, but not limited to, recommendations Substitute House Bill No. 6882
621-
622-Public Act No. 23-160 20 of 75
623-
624-from teachers, administrators, school counselors or other school
625-personnel. Such eligibility criteria shall not be based exclusively on a
626-student's prior academic performance and [that] any use of a student's
627-prior academic performance shall rely on evidence-based indicators of
628-how a student will perform in an advanced course or program.
629-Sec. 24. Subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of section 10-222k of the
630-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
631-thereof (Effective from passage):
632-(3) Any parent, [or] guardian or student serving as a member of any
633-such committee shall not participate in the activities described in
634-subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of subdivision (2) of this subsection
635-or any other activity that may compromise the confidentiality of a
636-student.
637-Sec. 25. Section 10-222w of the general statutes is repealed and the
638-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
639-Not later than January 1, 2022, the Social Emotional Learning and
640-School Climate Advisory Collaborative, established pursuant to section
641-10-222q, shall convene a working group to (1) review sections 10-222d
642-to 10-222p, inclusive, relating to bullying and safe school climate plans,
643-(2) make recommendations concerning (A) amendments to [said]
644-sections 10-222d to 10-222p, inclusive, (B) the inclusion of restorative
645-practices in safe school climate plans, and (C) state-wide adoption of the
646-National School Climate Standards, and (3) provide technical assistance
647-and support to local and regional boards of education in adopting and
648-implementing the Connecticut Model School Climate Policy, policy
649-number 5131.914. The Social Emotional Learning and School Climate
650-Advisory Collaborative may consult with or include representatives
651-from the national Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional
652-Learning as members of the working group in implementing the
653-provisions of this section. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
654-
655-Public Act No. 23-160 21 of 75
656-
657-Sec. 26. Subsection (c) of section 10-222t of the general statutes is
658-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
659-passage):
660-(c) The parent or guardian of a student shall receive prior written
661-notice of any social-emotional learning assessment or mental health and
662-resiliency screening described in subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this
663-section that is to be administered pursuant to subsection (b) of this
664-section. No student shall complete such assessment or screening unless
665-such parent or guardian provides permission [that] for such student
666-[may] to complete such assessment or screening.
667-Sec. 27. Subsection (b) of section 10-530 of the general statutes is
668-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
669-passage):
670-(b) The comprehensive background checks required pursuant to
671-subsection (c) of section 19a-80, subsection (c) of section 19a-87b [,] and
672-subsection (a) of section 17b-749k, shall be conducted at least once every
673-five years for each child care services provider or staff member in
674-accordance with the provisions of 45 CFR 98.43, as amended from time
675-to time.
676-Sec. 28. Subdivision (4) of section 17a-248 of the general statutes is
677-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
678-passage):
679-(4) "Eligible children" means children (A) (i) from birth to thirty-six
680-months of age, who are not eligible for special education and related
681-services pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76h, inclusive, and (ii) thirty-
682-six months of age or older, who are receiving early intervention services
683-and are eligible or being evaluated for participation in preschool
684-services pursuant to Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities
685-Education Act, 20 USC 1411 et seq., until such children are enrolled in Substitute House Bill No. 6882
686-
687-Public Act No. 23-160 22 of 75
688-
689-such preschool services, and (B) who need early intervention services
690-because such children are:
691-[(I)] (i) Experiencing a significant developmental delay as measured
692-by standardized diagnostic instruments and procedures, including
693-informed clinical opinion, in one or more of the following areas:
694-Cognitive development; physical development, including vision or
695-hearing; communication development; social or emot ional
696-development; or adaptive skills; or
697-[(II)] (ii) Diagnosed as having a physical or mental condition that has
698-a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.
699-Sec. 29. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-264l of the general
700-statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
701-(Effective July 1, 2023):
702-(a) The Department of Education shall, within available
703-appropriations, establish a grant program (1) to assist (A) local and
704-regional boards of education, (B) regional educational service centers,
705-(C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on
706-behalf of Quinebaug Valley Community College and Three Rivers
707-Community College, and (D) cooperative arrangements pursuant to
708-section 10-158a, and (2) in assisting the state in meeting its obligations
709-pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any
710-related stipulation or order in effect, as determined by the
711-commissioner, to assist (A) the Board of Trustees of the Community-
712-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college,
713-(B) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on
714-behalf of a state university, (C) the Board of Trustees of The University
715-of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (D) the board of governors
716-for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in
717-subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on
718-behalf of the independent institution of higher education, and (E) any Substitute House Bill No. 6882
719-
720-Public Act No. 23-160 23 of 75
721-
722-other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the
723-commissioner with the operation of interdistrict magnet school
724-programs. All interdistrict magnet schools shall be operated in
725-conformance with the same laws and regulations applicable to public
726-schools. For the purposes of this section "an interdistrict magnet school
727-program" means a program which (i) supports racial, ethnic and
728-economic diversity, (ii) offers a special and high quality curriculum, and
729-(iii) requires students who are enrolled to attend at least half-time. An
730-interdistrict magnet school program does not include a regional
731-agricultural science and technology school, a technical education and
732-career school or a regional special education center. For the school
733-[years] year commencing July 1, 2017, [to July 1, 2023, inclusive] and
734-each school year thereafter, the governing authority for each
735-interdistrict magnet school program shall (I) restrict the number of
736-students that may enroll in the school from a participating district to
737-seventy-five per cent of the total school enrollment, and (II) maintain a
738-total school enrollment that is in accordance with the reduced-isolation
739-setting standards for interdistrict magnet school programs, developed
740-by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to section 10-264r, as
741-amended by this act.
742-(b) (1) Applications for interdistrict magnet school program
743-operating grants awarded pursuant to this section shall be submitted
744-annually to the Commissioner of Education at such time and in such
745-manner as the commissioner prescribes, except that on and after July 1,
746-2009, applications for such operating grants for new interdistrict magnet
747-schools, other than those that the commissioner determines will assist
748-the state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v.
749-O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect,
750-as determined by the commissioner, shall not be accepted until the
751-commissioner develops a comprehensive state-wide interdistrict
752-magnet school plan. The commissione r shall submit such
753-comprehensive state-wide interdistrict magnet school plan on or before Substitute House Bill No. 6882
754-
755-Public Act No. 23-160 24 of 75
756-
757-October 1, 2016, to the joint standing committees of the General
758-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and
759-appropriations.
760-(2) In determining whether an application shall be approved and
761-funds awarded pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall
762-consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to: (A) Whether the
763-program offered by the school is likely to increase student achievement;
764-(B) whether the program is likely to reduce racial, ethnic and economic
765-isolation; (C) the percentage of the student enrollment in the program
766-from each participating district; and (D) the proposed operating budget
767-and the sources of funding for the interdistrict magnet school. For a
768-magnet school not operated by a local or regional board of education,
769-the commissioner shall only approve a proposed operating budget that,
770-on a per pupil basis, does not exceed the maximum allowable threshold
771-established in accordance with this subdivision. The maximum
772-allowable threshold shall be an amount equal to one hundred twenty
773-per cent of the state average of the quotient obtained by dividing net
774-current expenditures, as defined in section 10-261, by average daily
775-membership, as defined in said section, for the fiscal year two years
776-prior to the fiscal year for which the operating grant is requested. The
777-Department of Education shall establish the maximum allowable
778-threshold no later than December fifteenth of the fiscal year prior to the
779-fiscal year for which the operating grant is requested. If requested by an
780-applicant that is not a local or regional board of education, the
781-commissioner may approve a proposed operating budget that exceeds
782-the maximum allowable threshold if the commissioner determines that
783-there are extraordinary programmatic needs. For the fiscal years ending
784-June 30, 2017, June 30, 2018, June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021, in the case
785-of an interdistrict magnet school that will assist the state in meeting its
786-obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1
787-(1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect, as determined by the
788-commissioner, the commissioner shall also consider whether the school Substitute House Bill No. 6882
789-
790-Public Act No. 23-160 25 of 75
791-
792-is meeting the reduced-isolation setting standards for interdistrict
793-magnet school programs, developed by the commissioner pursuant to
794-section 10-264r, as amended by this act. If such school has not met such
795-reduced-isolation setting standards, it shall not be entitled to receive a
796-grant pursuant to this section unless the commissioner finds that it is
797-appropriate to award a grant for an additional year or years and
798-approves a plan to bring such school into compliance with such
799-reduced-isolation setting standards. If requested by the commissioner,
800-the applicant shall meet with the commissioner or the commissioner's
801-designee to discuss the budget and sources of funding.
802-(3) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, to June 30, [2023] 2025,
803-inclusive, the commissioner shall not award a grant to an interdistrict
804-magnet school program that (A) has more than seventy-five per cent of
805-the total school enrollment from one school district, or (B) does not
806-maintain a total school enrollment that is in accordance with the
807-reduced-isolation setting standards for interdistrict magnet school
808-programs, developed by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to
809-section 10-264r, as amended by this act, except the commissioner may
810-award a grant to such school for an additional year or years if the
811-commissioner finds it is appropriate to do so and approves a plan to
812-bring such school into compliance with such residency or reduced-
813-isolation setting standards.
814-(4) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, to June 30, 2021,
815-inclusive, if an interdistrict magnet school program does not maintain a
816-total school enrollment that is in accordance with the reduced-isolation
817-setting standards for interdistrict magnet school programs, developed
818-by the commissioner pursuant to section 10-264r, as amended by this
819-act, for two or more consecutive years, the commissioner may impose a
820-financial penalty on the operator of such interdistrict magnet school
821-program, or take any other measure, in consultation with such operator,
822-as may be appropriate to assist such operator in complying with such Substitute House Bill No. 6882
823-
824-Public Act No. 23-160 26 of 75
825-
826-reduced-isolation setting standards.
827-Sec. 30. Subparagraph (C) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of
828-section 10-264l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is
829-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
830-(C) (i) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2015, to June 30, 2019,
831-inclusive, each interdistrict magnet school operated by a regional
832-educational service center that began operations for the school year
833-commencing July 1, 2001, and that for the school year commencing July
834-1, 2008, enrolled at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per
835-cent of the school's students from a single town, shall receive a per pupil
836-grant (I) for each enrolled student who is a resident of the district that
837-enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the
838-school's students, up to an amount equal to the total number of such
839-enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the
840-amount of eight thousand one hundred eighty dollars, (II) for each
841-enrolled student who is a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-
842-five per cent, but not more than eighty per cent of the school's students,
843-in an amount greater than the total number of such enrolled students as
844-of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of three
845-thousand dollars, (III) for each enrolled student who is not a resident of
846-the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than
847-eighty per cent of the school's students, up to an amount equal to the
848-total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the
849-data of record, in the amount of eight thousand one hundred eighty
850-dollars, and (IV) for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the
851-district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but not more than eighty
852-per cent of the school's students, in an amount greater than the total
853-number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data
854-of record, in the amount of seven thousand eighty-five dollars.
855-(ii) For the fiscal [year] years ending June 30, 2020, [and each fiscal
856-year thereafter] to June 30, 2022, inclusive, each interdistrict magnet Substitute House Bill No. 6882
857-
858-Public Act No. 23-160 27 of 75
859-
860-school operated by a regional educational service center that began
861-operations for the school year commencing July 1, 2001, and that for the
862-school year commencing July 1, 2008, enrolled at least fifty-five per cent,
863-but not more than eighty per cent of the school's students from a single
864-town, shall receive a per pupil grant (I) for each enrolled student who is
865-a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but not
866-more than eighty per cent of the school's students, up to an amount
867-equal to the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013,
868-using the data of record, in the amount of eight thousand three hundred
869-forty-four dollars, (II) for each enrolled student who is a resident of the
870-district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but not more than eighty
871-per cent of the school's students, in an amount greater than the total
872-number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data
873-of record, in the amount of three thousand sixty dollars, (III) for each
874-enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least
875-fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the school's
876-students, up to an amount equal to the total number of such enrolled
877-students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount
878-of eight thousand three hundred forty-four dollars, and (IV) for each
879-enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least
880-fifty-five per cent, but not more than eighty per cent of the school's
881-students, in an amount greater than the total number of such enrolled
882-students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount
883-of seven thousand two hundred twenty-seven dollars.
884-Sec. 31. Subsection (o) of section 10-264l of the general statutes is
885-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
886-2023):
887-(o) For the school years commencing July 1, 2009, to July 1, 2018,
888-inclusive, and for the school year commencing July 1, 2023, any local or
889-regional board of education operating an interdistrict magnet school
890-pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any Substitute House Bill No. 6882
891-
892-Public Act No. 23-160 28 of 75
893-
894-related stipulation or order in effect, shall not charge tuition for any
895-student enrolled in a preschool program or in kindergarten to grade
896-twelve, inclusive, in an interdistrict magnet school operated by such
897-school district, except the Hartford school district may charge tuition for
898-any student enrolled in the Great Path Academy.
899-Sec. 32. Section 10-264r of the general statutes is repealed and the
900-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
901-Not later than July 1, 2017, the Commissioner of Education shall
902-develop, and revise as necessary thereafter, reduced-isolation [setting]
903-enrollment standards for interdistrict magnet school programs that shall
904-serve as the enrollment requirements for purposes of section 10-264l, as
905-amended by this act. Such standards shall (1) comply with the decision
906-of Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order
907-in effect, for an interdistrict magnet school program located in the Sheff
908-region, as defined in subsection (k) of section 10-264l, as amended by
909-this act, (2) define the term "reduced-isolation student" for purposes of
910-the standards, [(2)] (3) establish a requirement for the minimum
911-percentage of reduced-isolation students that can be enrolled in an
912-interdistrict magnet school program, provided such minimum
913-percentage is not less than twenty per cent of the total school enrollment,
914-[(3)] (4) allow an interdistrict magnet school program to have a total
915-school enrollment of reduced-isolation students that is not more than
916-one per cent below the minimum percentage established by the
917-commissioner, provided the commissioner approves a plan that is
918-designed to bring the number of reduced-isolation students of such
919-interdistrict magnet school program into compliance with the minimum
920-percentage, and [(4)] (5) for the school year commencing July 1, 2018,
921-authorize the commissioner to establish on or before May 1, 2018, and
922-revise as necessary thereafter, an alternative reduced-isolation student
923-enrollment percentage for an interdistrict magnet school program
924-located in the Sheff region, [as defined in subsection (k) of section 10- Substitute House Bill No. 6882
925-
926-Public Act No. 23-160 29 of 75
927-
928-264l,] provided the commissioner (A) determines that such alternative
929-(i) increases opportunities for students who are residents of Hartford to
930-access an educational setting with reduced racial isolation or other
931-categories of diversity, including, but not limited to, geography,
932-socioeconomic status, special education, English language learners and
933-academic achievement, (ii) complies with the decision of Sheff v.
934-O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect,
935-and (B) approves a plan for such interdistrict magnet school program
936-that is designed to bring the number of reduced-isolation students of
937-such interdistrict magnet school program into compliance with such
938-alternative or the minimum percentage described in subdivision (2) of
939-this section. Not later than May 1, 2018, the commissioner shall submit
940-a report on each alternative reduced-isolation student enrollment
941-percentage established, pursuant to subdivision (4) of this section, for
942-an interdistrict magnet school program located in the Sheff region to the
943-joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
944-matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of
945-section 11-4a. The reduced-isolation setting standards for interdistrict
946-magnet school programs shall not be deemed to be regulations, as
947-defined in section 4-166.
948-Sec. 33. Section 10-262s of the general statutes is repealed and the
949-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
950-(a) The Commissioner of Education may, to assist the state in meeting
951-its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1
952-(1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect, as determined by the
953-Commissioner of Education, transfer funds appropriated for the Sheff
954-settlement to the following: (1) Grants for interdistrict cooperative
955-programs pursuant to section 10-74d, (2) grants for state charter schools
956-pursuant to section 10-66ee, (3) grants for the interdistrict public school
957-attendance program pursuant to section 10-266aa, (4) grants for
958-interdistrict magnet schools pursuant to section 10-264l, as amended by Substitute House Bill No. 6882
959-
960-Public Act No. 23-160 30 of 75
961-
962-this act, and (5) to the Technical Education and Career System for
963-programming.
964-(b) The Commissioner of Education may, to assist the state in meeting
965-its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1
966-(1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect, as determined by the
967-Commissioner of Education, award grants with funds appropriated for
968-the Sheff settlement for academic and social student support programs
969-for the following voluntary interdistrict programs: (1) Interdistrict
970-cooperative programs pursuant to section 10-74d, (2) the interdistrict
971-public school attendance program pursuant to section 10-266aa, (3)
972-interdistrict magnet school programs pursuant to section 10-264l, as
973-amended by this act, and (4) the Technical Education and Career
974-System.
975-Sec. 34. Section 10-15f of the general statutes is repealed and the
976-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
977-Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military
978-Children.
979-ARTICLE I
980-PURPOSE
981-It is the purpose of this compact to remove barriers to educational
982-success imposed on children of military families because of frequent
983-moves and deployment of their parents by:
984-A. Facilitating the timely enrollment of children of military families
985-and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty
986-in the transfer of education records from the previous school districts or
987-variations in entrance or age requirements.
988-B. Facilitating the student placement process through which children Substitute House Bill No. 6882
989-
990-Public Act No. 23-160 31 of 75
991-
992-of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance
993-requirements, scheduling, sequencing, grading, course content or
994-assessment.
995-C. Facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment,
996-educational programs, and participation in extracurricular academic,
997-athletic, and social activities.
998-D. Facilitating the on-time graduation of children of military families.
999-E. Providing for the promulgation and enforcement of administrative
1000-rules implementing the provisions of this compact.
1001-F. Providing for the uniform collection and sharing of information
1002-between and among member states, schools and military families under
1003-this compact.
1004-G. Promoting coordination between this compact and other compacts
1005-affecting military children.
1006-H. Promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational
1007-system, parents and the student in order to achieve educational success
1008-for the student.
1009-ARTICLE II
1010-DEFINITIONS
1011-As used in this compact, unless the context clearly requires a different
1012-construction:
1013-A. "Active duty" means full-time duty status in the active uniformed
1014-service of the United States, including members of the National Guard
1015-and Reserve on active duty orders pursuant to 10 USC [Section]
1016-Chapters 1209 and 1211. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1017-
1018-Public Act No. 23-160 32 of 75
1019-
1020-B. "Children of military families" means school-aged children,
1021-enrolled in kindergarten through twelfth grade, in the household of an
1022-active duty member.
1023-C. "Compact commissioner" means the voting representative of each
1024-compacting state appointed pursuant to Article VIII of this compact.
1025-D. "Deployment" means the period one month prior to the service
1026-members' departure from their home station on military orders to six
1027-months after return to their home station.
1028-E. "Educational records" means the official records, files, and data
1029-directly related to a student and maintained by the school or local
1030-education agency, including, but not limited, to records encompassing
1031-all the material kept in the student's cumulative folder such as general
1032-identifying data, records of attendance and of academic work
1033-completed, records of achievement and results of evaluative tests, health
1034-data, disciplinary status, test protocols and individualized education
1035-programs.
1036-F. "Extracurricular activities" means a voluntary activity sponsored
1037-by the school or local education agency or an organization sanctioned
1038-by the local education agency. Extracurricular activities include, but are
1039-not limited to, preparation for and involvement in public performances,
1040-contests, athletic competitions, demonstrations, displays and club
1041-activities.
1042-G. "Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military
1043-Children" means the commission that is created under Article IX of this
1044-compact, which is generally referred to as the Interstate Commission.
1045-H. "Local education agency" means a public authority legally
1046-constituted by the state as an administrative agency to provide control
1047-of and direction for kindergarten through twelfth grade public
1048-educational institutions. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1049-
1050-Public Act No. 23-160 33 of 75
1051-
1052-I. "Member state" means a state that has enacted this compact.
1053-J. "Military installation" means a base, camp, post, station, yard,
1054-center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the
1055-jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, including any leased facility,
1056-which is located within any of the several states, the District of
1057-Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
1058-Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands and any other
1059-U.S. Territory. Such term does not include any facility used primarily
1060-for civil works, rivers and harbors projects, or flood control projects.
1061-K. "Nonmember state" means a state that has not enacted this
1062-compact.
1063-L. "Receiving state" means the state to which a child of a military
1064-family is sent, brought or caused to be sent or brought.
1065-M. "Rule" means a written statement by the Interstate Commission
1066-promulgated pursuant to Article XII of this compact that is of general
1067-applicability, implements, interprets or prescribes a policy or provision
1068-of the compact, or an organizational, procedural or practice requirement
1069-of the Interstate Commission, and has the force and effect of statutory
1070-law in a member state, and includes the amendment, repeal or
1071-suspension of an existing rule.
1072-N. "Sending state" means the state from which a child of a military
1073-family is sent, brought or caused to be sent or brought.
1074-O. "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia,
1075-the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam,
1076-American Samoa, the Northern Marianas Islands and any other U.S.
1077-territory.
1078-P. "Student" means the child of a military family for whom the local
1079-education agency receives public funding and who is formally enrolled Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1080-
1081-Public Act No. 23-160 34 of 75
1082-
1083-in kindergarten through twelfth grade.
1084-Q. "Transition" means (1) the formal and physical process of
1085-transferring from school to school, or (2) the period of time in which a
1086-student moves from one school in the sending state to another school in
1087-the receiving state.
1088-R. "Uniformed services" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine
1089-Corps, Coast Guard as well as the Commissioned Corps of the National
1090-Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Public Health Services.
1091-S. "Veteran" means a person who served in the uniformed services
1092-and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other
1093-than dishonorable.
1094-ARTICLE III
1095-APPLICABILITY
1096-A. Except as otherwise provided in Section B, this compact shall
1097-apply to the children of:
1098-1. Active duty members of the uniformed services as defined in this
1099-compact, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on
1100-active duty orders pursuant to 10 USC [Section] Chapters 1209 and 1211;
1101-2. Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely
1102-injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one year after
1103-medical discharge or retirement; and
1104-3. Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty or as a
1105-result of injuries sustained on active duty for a period of one year after
1106-death.
1107-B. The provisions of this interstate compact shall only apply to local
1108-education agencies as defined in this compact. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1109-
1110-Public Act No. 23-160 35 of 75
1111-
1112-C. The provisions of this compact shall not apply to the children of:
1113-1. Inactive members of the National Guard and military reserves;
1114-2. Members of the uniformed services now retired, except as
1115-provided in Section A;
1116-3. Veterans of the uniformed services, except as provided in Section
1117-A of this Article; and
1118-4. Other U.S. Dept. of Defense personnel and other federal agency
1119-civilian and contract employees not defined as active duty members of
1120-the uniformed services.
1121-ARTICLE IV
1122-EDUCATIONAL RECORDS & ENROLLMENT
1123-A. In the event that official education records cannot be released to
1124-the parents for the purpose of transfer, the custodian of the records in
1125-the sending state shall prepare and furnish to the parent a complete set
1126-of unofficial educational records containing uniform information as
1127-determined by the Interstate Commission. Upon receipt of the unofficial
1128-education records by a school in the receiving state, the school shall
1129-enroll and appropriately place the student based on the information
1130-provided in the unofficial records pending validation by the official
1131-records, as quickly as possible.
1132-B. Simultaneous with the enrollment and conditional placement of
1133-the student, the school in the receiving state shall request the student's
1134-official education record from the school in the sending state. Upon
1135-receipt of this request, the school in the sending state will process and
1136-furnish the official education records to the school in the receiving state
1137-within ten days or within such time as is reasonably determined under
1138-the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1139-
1140-Public Act No. 23-160 36 of 75
1141-
1142-C. Compacting states shall give thirty days from the date of
1143-enrollment or within such time as is reasonably determined under the
1144-rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission, for students to obtain
1145-any immunizations required by the receiving state. For a series of
1146-immunizations, initial vaccinations must be obtained within thirty days
1147-or within such time as is reasonably determined under the rules
1148-promulgated by the Interstate Commission.
1149-D. Students shall be allowed to continue their enrollment at grade
1150-level in the receiving state commensurate with their grade level,
1151-including kindergarten, from a local education agency in the sending
1152-state at the time of transition, regardless of age. A student that has
1153-satisfactorily completed the prerequisite grade level in the local
1154-education agency in the sending state shall be eligible for enrollment in
1155-the next highest grade level in the receiving state, regardless of age. A
1156-student transferring after the start of the school year in the receiving
1157-state shall enter the school in the receiving state on their validated level
1158-from an accredited school in the sending state.
1159-ARTICLE V
1160-PLACEMENT & ATTENDANCE
1161-A. When the student transfers before or during the school year, the
1162-receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the student in
1163-educational courses based on the student's enrollment in the sending
1164-state school and educational assessments conducted at the school in the
1165-sending state if the courses are offered. Course placement includes, but
1166-is not limited to, honors, International Baccalaureate, advanced
1167-placement, vocational, technical and career pathways courses.
1168-Continuing the student's academic program from the previous school
1169-and promoting placement in academically and career challenging
1170-courses should be paramount when considering placement. This does
1171-not preclude the school in the receiving state from performing Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1172-
1173-Public Act No. 23-160 37 of 75
1174-
1175-subsequent evaluations to ensure appropriate placement and continued
1176-enrollment of the student in the courses.
1177-B. The receiving state school shall initially honor placement of the
1178-student in educational programs based on current educational
1179-assessments conducted at the school in the sending state or participation
1180-and placement in like programs in the sending state. Such programs
1181-include, but are not limited to: (1) Gifted and talented programs; and (2)
1182-English as a second language. This does not preclude the school in the
1183-receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to ensure
1184-appropriate placement of the student.
1185-C. (1) In compliance with the federal requirements of the Individuals
1186-with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C.A. Section 1400 et seq., the
1187-receiving state shall initially provide comparable services to a student
1188-with disabilities based on his current individualized education
1189-program; and (2) In compliance with the requirements of Section 504 of
1190-the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C.A. Section 794, and with Title II of the
1191-Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C.A. Sections 12131-12165, the
1192-receiving state shall make reasonable accommodations and
1193-modifications to address the needs of incoming students with
1194-disabilities, subject to an existing 504 or Title II Plan, to provide the
1195-student with equal access to education. This does not preclude the
1196-school in the receiving state from performing subsequent evaluations to
1197-ensure appropriate placement of the student.
1198-D. Local education agency administrative officials shall have
1199-flexibility in waiving course and program prerequisites, or other
1200-preconditions for placement in courses and programs offered under the
1201-jurisdiction of the local education agency.
1202-E. A student whose parent or legal guardian is an active duty member
1203-of the uniformed services, as defined by the compact, and has been
1204-called to duty for, is on leave from, or immediately returned from Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1205-
1206-Public Act No. 23-160 38 of 75
1207-
1208-deployment to a combat zone or combat support posting, shall be
1209-granted additional excused absences at the discretion of the local
1210-education agency superintendent to visit with his parent or legal
1211-guardian relative to such leave or deployment of the parent or guardian.
1212-ARTICLE VI
1213-ELIGIBILITY
1214-A. Eligibility for enrollment
1215-1. Special power of attorney, relative to the guardianship of a child of
1216-a military family and executed under applicable law shall be sufficient
1217-for the purposes of enrollment and all other actions requiring parental
1218-participation and consent.
1219-2. A local education agency shall be prohibited from charging local
1220-tuition to a transitioning military child placed in the care of a
1221-noncustodial parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives
1222-in a jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent.
1223-3. A transitioning military child, placed in the care of a noncustodial
1224-parent or other person standing in loco parentis who lives in a
1225-jurisdiction other than that of the custodial parent, may continue to
1226-attend the school in which he was enrolled while residing with the
1227-custodial parent.
1228-B. State and local education agencies shall facilitate the opportunity
1229-for transitioning military children's inclusion in extracurricular
1230-activities, regardless of application deadlines, to the extent they are
1231-otherwise qualified.
1232-ARTICLE VII
1233-GRADUATION Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1234-
1235-Public Act No. 23-160 39 of 75
1236-
1237-In order to facilitate the on-time graduation of children of military
1238-families states and local education agencies shall incorporate the
1239-following procedures:
1240-A. Local education agency administrative officials shall waive
1241-specific courses required for graduation if similar course work has been
1242-satisfactorily completed in another local education agency or shall
1243-provide reasonable justification for denial. Should a waiver not be
1244-granted to a student who would qualify to graduate from the sending
1245-school, the local education agency shall provide an alternative means of
1246-acquiring required coursework so that graduation may occur on time.
1247-B. States shall accept: (1) Exit or end-of-course exams required for
1248-graduation from the sending state; or (2) national norm-referenced
1249-achievement tests; or (3) alternative testing, in lieu of testing
1250-requirements for graduation in the receiving state. In the event the
1251-above alternatives cannot be accommodated by the receiving state for a
1252-student transferring in his senior year, then the provisions of Article VII,
1253-Section C shall apply.
1254-C. Should a military student transferring at the beginning or during
1255-his or her senior year be ineligible to graduate from the receiving local
1256-education agency after all alternatives have been considered, the
1257-sending and receiving local education agencies shall ensure the receipt
1258-of a diploma from the sending local education agency, if the student
1259-meets the graduation requirements of the sending local education
1260-agency. In the event that one of the states in question is not a member of
1261-this compact, the member state shall use best efforts to facilitate the on-
1262-time graduation of the student in accordance with Sections A and B of
1263-this Article.
1264-ARTICLE VIII
1265-STATE COORDINATION Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1266-
1267-Public Act No. 23-160 40 of 75
1268-
1269-A. Each member state shall, through the creation of a State Council or
1270-use of an existing body or board, provide for the coordination among its
1271-agencies of government, local education agencies and military
1272-installations concerning the state's participation in, and compliance
1273-with, this compact and Interstate Commission activities. While each
1274-member state may determine the membership of its own State Council,
1275-its membership must include at least: The state superintendent of
1276-education, superintendent of a school district with a high concentration
1277-of military children, representative from a military installation, one
1278-representative each from the legislative and executive branches of
1279-government, and other offices and stakeholder groups the State Council
1280-deems appropriate. A member state that does not have a school district
1281-deemed to contain a high concentration of military children may
1282-appoint a superintendent from another school district to represent local
1283-education agencies on the State Council.
1284-B. The State Council of each member state shall appoint or designate
1285-a military family education liaison to assist military families and the
1286-state in facilitating the implementation of this compact.
1287-C. The compact commissioner responsible for the administration and
1288-management of the state's participation in the compact shall be
1289-appointed by the Governor or as otherwise determined by each member
1290-state.
1291-D. The compact commissioner and the military family education
1292-liaison designated herein shall be ex-officio members of the State
1293-Council, unless either is already a full voting member of the State
1294-Council.
1295-ARTICLE IX
1296-INTERSTATE COMMISSION ON EDUCATIONAL
1297-OPPORTUNITY FOR MILITARY CHILDREN Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1298-
1299-Public Act No. 23-160 41 of 75
1300-
1301-The member states hereby create the "Interstate Commission on
1302-Educational Opportunity for Military Children". The activities of the
1303-Interstate Commission are the formation of public policy and are a
1304-discretionary state function. The Interstate Commission shall:
1305-A. Be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and
1306-shall have all the responsibilities, powers and duties set forth herein,
1307-and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a
1308-subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the
1309-member states in accordance with the terms of this compact.
1310-B. Consist of one Interstate Commission voting representative from
1311-each member state who shall be that state's compact commissioner.
1312-1. Each member state represented at a meeting of the Interstate
1313-Commission is entitled to one vote.
1314-2. A majority of the total member states shall constitute a quorum for
1315-the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the
1316-bylaws of the Interstate Commission.
1317-3. A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state.
1318-In the event the compact commissioner is unable to attend a meeting of
1319-the Interstate Commission, the Governor or State Council may delegate
1320-voting authority to another person from their state for a specified
1321-meeting.
1322-4. The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission
1323-to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.
1324-C. Consist of ex-officio, nonvoting representatives who are members
1325-of interested organizations. Such ex-officio members, as defined in the
1326-bylaws, may include, but not be limited to, members of the
1327-representative organizations of military family advocates, local
1328-education agency officials, parent and teacher groups, the U.S. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1329-
1330-Public Act No. 23-160 42 of 75
1331-
1332-Department of Defense, the Education Commission of the States, the
1333-Interstate Agreement on the Qualification of Educational Personnel and
1334-other interstate compacts affecting the education of children of military
1335-members.
1336-D. Meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call
1337-additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the
1338-member states, shall call additional meetings.
1339-E. Establish an executive committee, whose members shall include
1340-the officers of the Interstate Commission and such other members of the
1341-Interstate Commission as determined by the bylaws. Members of the
1342-executive committee shall serve a one-year term. Members of the
1343-executive committee shall be entitled to one vote each. The executive
1344-committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate
1345-Commission, with the exception of rulemaking, during periods when
1346-the Interstate Commission is not in session. The executive committee
1347-shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the
1348-compact including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of
1349-the compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties as deemed
1350-necessary. The U.S. Dept. of Defense, shall serve as an ex-officio,
1351-nonvoting member of the executive committee.
1352-F. Establish bylaws and rules that provide for conditions and
1353-procedures under which the Interstate Commission shall make its
1354-information and official records available to the public for inspection or
1355-copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure
1356-information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect
1357-personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.
1358-G. Give public notice of all meetings and all meetings shall be open
1359-to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in
1360-the compact. The Interstate Commission and its committees may close a
1361-meeting, or portion thereof, where it determines by two-thirds vote that Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1362-
1363-Public Act No. 23-160 43 of 75
1364-
1365-an open meeting would be likely to:
1366-1. Relate solely to the Interstate Commission's internal personnel
1367-practices and procedures;
1368-2. Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal
1369-and state statute;
1370-3. Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information which
1371-is privileged or confidential;
1372-4. Involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally censuring a
1373-person;
1374-5. Disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would
1375-constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
1376-6. Disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement
1377-purposes; or
1378-7. Specifically relate to the Interstate Commission's participation in a
1379-civil action or other legal proceeding.
1380-H. Cause its legal counsel or designee to certify that a meeting may
1381-be closed and shall reference each relevant exemptible provision for any
1382-meeting, or portion of a meeting, which is closed pursuant to this
1383-provision. The Interstate Commission shall keep minutes which shall
1384-fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall
1385-provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons
1386-therefor, including a description of the views expressed and the record
1387-of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action
1388-shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a
1389-closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority
1390-vote of the Interstate Commission.
1391-I. Collect standardized data concerning the educational transition of Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1392-
1393-Public Act No. 23-160 44 of 75
1394-
1395-the children of military families under this compact as directed through
1396-its rules which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of
1397-collection and data exchange and reporting requirements. Such
1398-methods of data collection, exchange and reporting shall, insofar as is
1399-reasonably possible, conform to current technology and coordinate its
1400-information functions with the appropriate custodian of records as
1401-identified in the bylaws and rules.
1402-J. Create a process that permits military officials, education officials
1403-and parents to inform the Interstate Commission if and when there are
1404-alleged violations of the compact or its rules or when issues subject to
1405-the jurisdiction of the compact or its rules are not addressed by the state
1406-or local education agency. This section shall not be construed to create a
1407-private right of action against the Interstate Commission or any member
1408-state.
1409-ARTICLE X
1410-POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION
1411-The Interstate Commission shall have the following powers:
1412-A. To provide for dispute resolution among member states.
1413-B. To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the
1414-goals, purposes and obligations as enumerated in this compact. The
1415-rules shall have the force and effect of statutory law and shall be binding
1416-in the compact states to the extent and in the manner provided in this
1417-compact.
1418-C. To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions
1419-concerning the meaning or interpretation of the interstate compact, its
1420-bylaws, rules and actions.
1421-D. To enforce compliance with the compact provisions, the rules Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1422-
1423-Public Act No. 23-160 45 of 75
1424-
1425-promulgated by the Interstate Commission, and the bylaws, using all
1426-necessary and proper means, including but not limited to the use of
1427-judicial process.
1428-E. To establish and maintain offices which shall be located within one
1429-or more of the member states.
1430-F. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.
1431-G. To borrow, accept, hire or contract for services of personnel.
1432-H. To establish and appoint committees including, but not limited to,
1433-an executive committee as required by Article IX, Section E, which shall
1434-have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying
1435-out its powers and duties hereunder.
1436-I. To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or
1437-consultants, and to fix their compensation, define their duties and
1438-determine their qualifications; and to establish the Interstate
1439-Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of
1440-interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel.
1441-J. To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment,
1442-supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of
1443-it.
1444-K. To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or
1445-otherwise to own, hold, improve or use any property, real, personal or
1446-mixed.
1447-L. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or
1448-otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal or mixed.
1449-M. To establish a budget and make expenditures.
1450-N. To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1451-
1452-Public Act No. 23-160 46 of 75
1453-
1454-operation of the Interstate Commission.
1455-O. To report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and
1456-state councils of the member states concerning the activities of the
1457-Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall
1458-also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the
1459-Interstate Commission.
1460-P. To coordinate education, training and public awareness regarding
1461-the compact, its implementation and operation for officials and parents
1462-involved in such activity.
1463-Q. To establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting and
1464-exchanging of data.
1465-R. To maintain corporate books and records in accordance with the
1466-bylaws.
1467-S. To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to
1468-achieve the purposes of this compact.
1469-T. To provide for the uniform collection and sharing of information
1470-between and among member states, schools and military families under
1471-this compact.
1472-ARTICLE XI
1473-ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF THE INTERSTATE
1474-COMMISSION
1475-A. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members
1476-present and voting, within twelve months after the first Interstate
1477-Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be
1478-necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact,
1479-including, but not limited to: Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1480-
1481-Public Act No. 23-160 47 of 75
1482-
1483-1. Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate Commission;
1484-2. Establishing an executive committee, and such other committees as
1485-may be necessary;
1486-3. Providing for the establishment of committees and for governing
1487-any general or specific delegation of authority or function of the
1488-Interstate Commission;
1489-4. Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting
1490-meetings of the Interstate Commission, and ensuring reasonable notice
1491-of each such meeting;
1492-5. Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers and staff
1493-of the Interstate Commission;
1494-6. Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the
1495-Interstate Commission and the return of surplus funds that may exist
1496-upon the termination of the compact after the payment and reserving of
1497-all of its debts and obligations;
1498-7. Providing start-up rules for initial administration of the compact.
1499-B. The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members,
1500-elect annually from among its members a chairperson, a vice-
1501-chairperson, and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority
1502-and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the
1503-chairperson's absence or disability, the vice-chairperson, shall preside at
1504-all meetings of the Interstate Commission. The officers so elected shall
1505-serve without compensation or remuneration from the Interstate
1506-Commission provided that, subject to the availability of budgeted
1507-funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary costs
1508-and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their
1509-responsibilities as officers of the Interstate Commission. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1510-
1511-Public Act No. 23-160 48 of 75
1512-
1513-C. Executive Committee, Officers and Personnel
1514-1. The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as
1515-may be set forth in the bylaws, including, but not limited to:
1516-a. Managing the affairs of the Interstate Commission in a manner
1517-consistent with the bylaws and purposes of the Interstate Commission;
1518-b. Overseeing an organizational structure within, and appropriate
1519-procedures for the Interstate Commission to provide for the creation of
1520-rules, operating procedures, and administrative and technical support
1521-functions; and
1522-c. Planning, implementing, and coordinating communications and
1523-activities with other state, federal and local government organizations
1524-in order to advance the goals of the Interstate Commission.
1525-2. The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the
1526-Interstate Commission, appoint or retain an executive director for such
1527-period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation, as
1528-the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. The executive
1529-director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall
1530-not be a member of the Interstate Commission. The executive director
1531-shall hire and supervise such other persons as may be authorized by the
1532-Interstate Commission.
1533-D. The Interstate Commission's executive director and its employees
1534-shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their
1535-official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal
1536-injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an
1537-actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such
1538-person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope
1539-of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities
1540-provided, such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for
1541-damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1542-
1543-Public Act No. 23-160 49 of 75
1544-
1545-wanton misconduct of such person.
1546-1. The liability of the Interstate Commission's executive director and
1547-employees or Interstate Commission representatives, acting within the
1548-scope of such person's employment or duties for acts, errors, or
1549-omissions occurring within such person's state may not exceed the
1550-limits of liability set forth under the Constitution and laws of that state
1551-for state officials, employees, and agents. The Interstate Commission is
1552-considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any
1553-such action. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to protect
1554-such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability
1555-caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such
1556-person.
1557-2. The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive director and
1558-its employees and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General or
1559-other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an
1560-Interstate Commission representative, shall defend such Interstate
1561-Commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose
1562-liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error or omission that
1563-occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties
1564-or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for
1565-believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission
1566-employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or
1567-alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful
1568-and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.
1569-3. To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or
1570-the Interstate Commission, the representatives or employees of the
1571-Interstate Commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a
1572-settlement or judgment, including attorney's fees and costs, obtained
1573-against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or
1574-omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission
1575-employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1576-
1577-Public Act No. 23-160 50 of 75
1578-
1579-reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate
1580-Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the
1581-actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional
1582-or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.
1583-ARTICLE XII
1584-RULEMAKING FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERSTATE
1585-COMMISSION
1586-A. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in
1587-order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this compact.
1588-Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Interstate Commission
1589-exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope
1590-of the purposes of this compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then
1591-such an action by the Interstate Commission shall be invalid and have
1592-no force or effect.
1593-B. Rules shall be made pursuant to a rulemaking process that
1594-substantially conforms to the "Model State Administrative Procedure
1595-Act," of 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p.1 (2000) as
1596-amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the Interstate
1597-Commission.
1598-C. Not later than thirty days after a rule is promulgated, any person
1599-may file a petition for judicial review of the rule provided, the filing of
1600-such a petition shall not stay or otherwise prevent the rule from
1601-becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a
1602-substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the
1603-actions of the Interstate Commission consistent with applicable law and
1604-shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a reasonable
1605-exercise of the Interstate Commission's authority.
1606-D. If a majority of the legislatures of the compacting states rejects a
1607-rule by enactment of a statute or resolution in the same manner used to Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1608-
1609-Public Act No. 23-160 51 of 75
1610-
1611-adopt the compact, then such rule shall have no further force and effect
1612-in any compacting state.
1613-ARTICLE XIII
1614-OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
1615-A. Oversight
1616-1. The executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government
1617-in each member state shall enforce this compact and shall take all actions
1618-necessary and appropriate to effectuate the compact's purposes and
1619-intent. The provisions of this compact and the rules promulgated
1620-hereunder shall have standing as statutory law.
1621-2. All courts shall take judicial notice of the compact and the rules in
1622-any judicial or administrative proceeding in a member state pertaining
1623-to the subject matter of this compact which may affect the powers,
1624-responsibilities or actions of the Interstate Commission.
1625-3. The Interstate Commission shall be entitled to receive all service of
1626-process in any such proceeding, and shall have standing to intervene in
1627-the proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process to
1628-the Interstate Commission shall render a judgment or order void as to
1629-the Interstate Commission, this compact or promulgated rules.
1630-B. If the Interstate Commission determines that a member state has
1631-defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under
1632-this compact, or the bylaws or promulgated rules, the Interstate
1633-Commission shall:
1634-1. Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other member
1635-states of the nature of the default, the means of curing the default and
1636-any action taken by the Interstate Commission. The Interstate
1637-Commission shall specify the conditions by which the defaulting state Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1638-
1639-Public Act No. 23-160 52 of 75
1640-
1641-must cure its default.
1642-2. Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance
1643-regarding the default.
1644-3. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default, the defaulting state
1645-shall be terminated from the compact upon an affirmative vote of a
1646-majority of the member states and all rights, privileges and benefits
1647-conferred by this compact shall be terminated from the effective date of
1648-termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of
1649-obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of the default.
1650-4. Suspension or termination of membership in the compact shall be
1651-imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been
1652-exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the
1653-Interstate Commission to the Governor, the majority and minority
1654-leaders of the defaulting state's legislature, and each of the member
1655-states.
1656-5. The state which has been suspended or terminated is responsible
1657-for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the
1658-effective date of suspension or termination including obligations, the
1659-performance of which extends beyond the effective date of suspension
1660-or termination.
1661-6. The Interstate Commission shall not bear any costs relating to any
1662-state that has been found to be in default or which has been suspended
1663-or terminated from the compact, unless otherwise mutually agreed
1664-upon in writing between the Interstate Commission and the defaulting
1665-state.
1666-7. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the Interstate
1667-Commission by petitioning the U.S. District Court for the District of
1668-Columbia or the federal district where the Interstate Commission has its
1669-principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1670-
1671-Public Act No. 23-160 53 of 75
1672-
1673-litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.
1674-C. Dispute Resolution
1675-1. The Interstate Commission shall attempt, upon the request of a
1676-member state, to resolve disputes which are subject to the compact and
1677-which may arise among member states and between member and
1678-nonmember states.
1679-2. The Interstate Commission shall promulgate a rule providing for
1680-both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes as
1681-appropriate.
1682-D. Enforcement
1683-1. The Interstate Commission, in the reasonable exercise of its
1684-discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.
1685-2. The Interstate Commission may, by majority vote of the members,
1686-initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of
1687-Columbia or, at the discretion of the Interstate Commission, in the
1688-federal district where the Interstate Commission has its principal offices,
1689-to enforce compliance with the provisions of the compact, its
1690-promulgated rules and bylaws, against a member state in default. The
1691-relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the
1692-event judicial enforcement is necessary the prevailing party shall be
1693-awarded all costs of such litigation including reasonable attorney's fees.
1694-3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the
1695-Interstate Commission. The Interstate Commission may avail itself of
1696-any other remedies available under state law or the regulation of a
1697-profession.
1698-ARTICLE XIV
1699-FINANCING OF THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1700-
1701-Public Act No. 23-160 54 of 75
1702-
1703-A. The Interstate Commission shall pay, or provide for the payment
1704-of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization and
1705-ongoing activities.
1706-B. The Interstate Commission may levy on and collect an annual
1707-assessment from each member state to cover the cost of the operations
1708-and activities of the Interstate Commission and its staff which must be
1709-in a total amount sufficient to cover the Interstate Commission's annual
1710-budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment
1711-amount shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the
1712-Interstate Commission, which shall promulgate a rule binding upon all
1713-member states.
1714-C. The Interstate Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind
1715-prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the
1716-Interstate Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states,
1717-except by and with the authority of the member state.
1718-D. The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all
1719-receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the
1720-Interstate Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting
1721-procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and
1722-disbursements of funds handled by the Interstate Commission shall be
1723-audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant and the
1724-report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual
1725-report of the Interstate Commission.
1726-ARTICLE XV
1727-MEMBER STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE AND AMENDMENT
1728-A. Any state is eligible to become a member state.
1729-B. The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative
1730-enactment of the compact into law by no less than ten of the states. The Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1731-
1732-Public Act No. 23-160 55 of 75
1733-
1734-effective date shall be no earlier than December 1, 2007. Thereafter it
1735-shall become effective and binding as to any other member state upon
1736-enactment of the compact into law by that state. The governors of
1737-nonmember states or their designees shall be invited to participate in
1738-the activities of the Interstate Commission on a nonvoting basis prior to
1739-adoption of the compact by all states.
1740-C. The Interstate Commission may propose amendments to the
1741-compact for enactment by the member states. No amendment shall
1742-become effective and binding upon the Interstate Commission and the
1743-member states unless and until it is enacted into law by unanimous
1744-consent of the member states.
1745-ARTICLE XVI
1746-WITHDRAWAL AND DISSOLUTION
1747-A. Withdrawal
1748-1. Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain
1749-binding upon each and every member state provided a member state
1750-may withdraw from the compact by specifically repealing the statute,
1751-which enacted the compact into law.
1752-2. Withdrawal from this compact shall be by the enactment of a
1753-statute repealing the same, but shall not take effect until one year after
1754-the effective date of such statute and until written notice of the
1755-withdrawal has been given by the withdrawing state to the Governor of
1756-each other member jurisdiction.
1757-3. The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of
1758-the Interstate Commission in writing upon the introduction of
1759-legislation repealing this compact in the withdrawing state. The
1760-Interstate Commission shall notify the other member states of the
1761-withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within sixty days of its receipt Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1762-
1763-Public Act No. 23-160 56 of 75
1764-
1765-thereof.
1766-4. The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments,
1767-obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of
1768-withdrawal, including obligations, the performance of which extend
1769-beyond the effective date of withdrawal.
1770-5. Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur
1771-upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later
1772-date as determined by the Interstate Commission.
1773-B. Dissolution of Compact
1774-1. This compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the
1775-withdrawal or default of the member state which reduces the
1776-membership in the compact to one member state.
1777-2. Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact becomes null
1778-and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and the business and
1779-affairs of the Interstate Commission shall be concluded and surplus
1780-funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.
1781-ARTICLE XVII
1782-SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION
1783-A. The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any
1784-phrase, clause, sentence or provision is deemed unenforceable, the
1785-remaining provisions of the compact shall be enforceable.
1786-B. The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to
1787-effectuate its purposes.
1788-C. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prohibit the
1789-applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are
1790-members. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1791-
1792-Public Act No. 23-160 57 of 75
1793-
1794-ARTICLE XVIII
1795-BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS
1796-A. Other Laws
1797-1. Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a
1798-member state that is not inconsistent with this compact.
1799-2. All member states' laws conflicting with this compact are
1800-superseded to the extent of the conflict.
1801-B. Binding Effect of the Compact
1802-1. All lawful actions of the Interstate Commission, including all rules
1803-and bylaws promulgated by the Interstate Commission, are binding
1804-upon the member states.
1805-2. All agreements between the Interstate Commission and the
1806-member states are binding in accordance with their terms.
1807-3. In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the
1808-constitutional limits imposed on the legislature of any member state,
1809-such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the
1810-constitutional provision in question in that member state.
1811-Sec. 35. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-16p of the
1812-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1813-thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
1814-(2) "Eligible children" means children [three and] from birth to four
1815-years of age, inclusive, and children five years of age who are not
1816-eligible to enroll in school pursuant to section 10-15c, or who are eligible
1817-to enroll in school and will attend a school readiness program pursuant
1818-to section 10-16t;
1819-Sec. 36. Subsections (c) to (l), inclusive, of section 10-16p of the general Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1820-
1821-Public Act No. 23-160 58 of 75
1822-
1823-statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
1824-(Effective July 1, 2023):
1825-(c) The commissioner shall establish a grant program to provide
1826-spaces in accredited school readiness programs located in priority
1827-school districts, as described in section 10-266p, or in former priority
1828-school districts for eligible children. The state, acting by and in the
1829-discretion of the Commissioner of Early Childhood, in consultation with
1830-a town or regional school readiness council, may enter into a contract
1831-with a municipality, local or regional board of education, regional
1832-educational service center, family resource center, provider of a child
1833-care center, group child care home or family child care home, as
1834-described in section 19a-77, Head Start program, preschool program or
1835-other program that meets such standards established by the
1836-commissioner, to provide, within available appropriations, state
1837-financial assistance. Eligibility shall be determined for a five-year period
1838-based on an applicant's designation as a priority school district for the
1839-initial year of application, except that if a school district that receives a
1840-grant pursuant to this subsection is no longer designated as a priority
1841-school district at the end of such five-year period, such former priority
1842-school district shall continue to be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to
1843-this subsection. Grant awards shall be made [annually] for the fiscal year
1844-ending June 30, 2023, and biennially thereafter, contingent upon
1845-available funding and a satisfactory annual evaluation. The chief elected
1846-official of such town and the superintendent of schools for such priority
1847-school district or former priority school district shall submit a plan for
1848-the expenditure of grant funds and responses to the local request for
1849-proposal process to the commissioner. The commissioner shall review
1850-and approve such plans. The plan shall: (1) Be developed in consultation
1851-with the local or regional school readiness council established pursuant
1852-to section 10-16r; (2) be based on a needs and resource assessment; (3)
1853-provide for the issuance of requests for proposals for providers of
1854-accredited school readiness programs, provided, after the initial Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1855-
1856-Public Act No. 23-160 59 of 75
1857-
1858-requests for proposals, facilities that have been approved to operate a
1859-child care program financed through the Connecticut Health and
1860-Education Facilities Authority and have received a commitment for debt
1861-service from the Department of Social Services, pursuant to section 17b-
1862-749i, on or before June 30, 2014, and on or after July 1, 2014, from the
1863-office, are exempt from the requirement for issuance of annual requests
1864-for proposals; and (4) identify the need for funding pursuant to section
1865-17b-749a in order to extend the hours and days of operation of school
1866-readiness programs in order to provide child care services for children
1867-attending such programs.
1868-(d) (1) The commissioner shall establish a competitive grant program
1869-to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs or school
1870-readiness programs seeking accreditation located in (A) an area served
1871-by a priority school or a former priority school, (B) a town ranked one
1872-to fifty when all towns are ranked in ascending order according to town
1873-wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, whose school
1874-district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p, (C) a
1875-town formerly a town described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision,
1876-as provided for in subdivision (2) of this subsection, or (D) a town
1877-designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, whose
1878-school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-
1879-266p. A town in which a priority school is located, a regional school
1880-readiness council, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-16r, for a
1881-region in which such a school is located or a town described in
1882-subparagraph (B) of this subdivision may apply for such a grant in an
1883-amount equal to the number of spaces in an accredited school readiness
1884-program or a school readiness program seeking accreditation multiplied
1885-by the per child cost set forth in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of
1886-section 10-16q. Eligibility shall be determined for a three-year period
1887-based on an applicant's designation as having a priority school or being
1888-a town described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision for the initial
1889-year of application. The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1890-
1891-Public Act No. 23-160 60 of 75
1892-
1893-Commissioner of Early Childhood, in consultation with a town or
1894-regional school readiness council, may enter into a contract with a
1895-municipality, local or regional board of education, regional educational
1896-service center, family resource center, provider of a child care center,
1897-group child care home or family child care home, as described in section
1898-19a-77, Head Start program, preschool program or other program that
1899-meets such standards established by the commissioner, to provide,
1900-within available appropriations, state financial assistance. The chief
1901-elected official of such town and the superintendent of schools of the
1902-school district or the regional school readiness council shall submit a
1903-plan, as described in subsection (c) of this section, for the expenditure of
1904-such grant funds to the commissioner. In awarding grants pursuant to
1905-this subsection, the commissioner shall give preference to applications
1906-submitted by regional school readiness councils and may, within
1907-available appropriations, provide a grant to such town or regional
1908-school readiness council that increases the number of spaces for eligible
1909-children who reside in an area or town described in subparagraphs (A)
1910-to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision, in an accredited school readiness
1911-program or a school readiness program seeking accreditation.
1912-(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision,
1913-commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, if a town received
1914-a grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and is no longer
1915-eligible to receive such a grant, the town may receive a phase-out grant
1916-for each of the three fiscal years following the fiscal year such town
1917-received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.
1918-(B) The amount of such phase-out grants shall be determined as
1919-follows: (i) For the first fiscal year following the fiscal year such town
1920-received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in
1921-an amount that does not exceed seventy-five per cent of the grant
1922-amount such town received for the town or school's final year of
1923-eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection; (ii) for the Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1924-
1925-Public Act No. 23-160 61 of 75
1926-
1927-second fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final
1928-grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that
1929-does not exceed fifty per cent of the grant amount such town received
1930-for the town's or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision
1931-(1) of this subsection; and (iii) for the third fiscal year following the fiscal
1932-year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of
1933-this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed twenty-five per cent
1934-of the grant amount such town received for the town's or school's final
1935-year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.
1936-(C) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and each fiscal year
1937-thereafter, any town that received a grant pursuant to subparagraph (B)
1938-of subdivision (1) of this subsection for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1939-2010, shall continue to receive a grant under this subsection even if the
1940-town no longer meets the criteria for such grant pursuant to
1941-subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
1942-(e) (1) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this
1943-section are not expended, the commissioner may deposit such
1944-unexpended funds in the account established under section 10-16aa and
1945-use such unexpended funds in accordance with the provisions of section
1946-10-16aa.
1947-(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and each fiscal year
1948-thereafter, if funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of
1949-this section are not expended, an amount up to one million dollars of
1950-such unexpended funds may be available for the provision of
1951-professional development for early childhood care and education
1952-program providers, and staff employed in such programs, provided
1953-such programs accept state funds for infant, toddler and preschool slots.
1954-Such unexpended funds may be available for use in accordance with the
1955-provisions of this subparagraph for the subsequent fiscal year. The
1956-commissioner may use such unexpended funds on and after July 1, 2015,
1957-to support early childhood education programs accepting state funds in Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1958-
1959-Public Act No. 23-160 62 of 75
1960-
1961-satisfying the staff qualifications requirements of subparagraphs (B) and
1962-(C) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner
1963-shall use any such funds to provide assistance to individual staff
1964-members, giving priority to those staff members (A) attending an
1965-institution of higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for
1966-Higher Education or the Office of Higher Education, and approved by
1967-the Office of Early Childhood, and regionally accredited, at a maximum
1968-of ten thousand dollars per staff member per year for the cost of higher
1969-education courses leading to a bachelor's degree or, not later than
1970-December 31, 2015, an associate degree, as such degrees are described
1971-in said subparagraphs (B) and (C), or (B) receiving noncredit
1972-competency-based training approved by the office, at a maximum of one
1973-thousand dollars per staff member per year, provided such staff
1974-members have applied for all available federal and state scholarships
1975-and grants, and such assistance does not exceed such staff members'
1976-financial need. Individual staff members shall apply for such
1977-unexpended funds in a manner determined by the commissioner. The
1978-commissioner shall determine how such unexpended funds shall be
1979-distributed.
1980-(3) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this
1981-section are not expended pursuant to subsection (c) of this section,
1982-deposited pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, or used
1983-pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, the commissioner may
1984-use such unexpended funds to support local school readiness programs.
1985-The commissioner may use such funds for purposes including, but not
1986-limited to, (A) assisting local school readiness programs in meeting and
1987-maintaining accreditation requirements, (B) providing training in
1988-implementing the preschool assessment and curriculum frameworks,
1989-including training to enhance literacy teaching skills, (C) developing a
1990-state-wide preschool curriculum, (D) developing student assessments
1991-for students in grades kindergarten to two, inclusive, (E) developing
1992-and implementing best practices for parents in supporting preschool Substitute House Bill No. 6882
1993-
1994-Public Act No. 23-160 63 of 75
1995-
1996-and kindergarten student learning, (F) developing and implementing
1997-strategies for children to successfully transition to preschool and from
1998-preschool to kindergarten, including through parental engagement and
1999-whole-family supports that may be utilized through the two -
2000-generational initiative, established pursuant to section 17b-112l, or
2001-through other available resources, (G) providing for professional
2002-development, including assisting in career ladder advancement, for
2003-school readiness staff, (H) providing supplemental grants to other
2004-towns that are eligible for grants pursuant to subsection (c) of this
2005-section, and (I) developing a plan to provide spaces in an accredited
2006-school readiness program or a school readiness program seeking
2007-accreditation to all eligible children who reside in an area or town
2008-described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of
2009-subsection (d) of this section.
2010-(f) Any school readiness program that receives funds pursuant to this
2011-section or section 10-16u shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
2012-national origin, gender, religion or disability. For purposes of this
2013-section, a nonsectarian program means any public or private school
2014-readiness program that is not violative of the Establishment Clause of
2015-the Constitution of the State of Connecticut or the Establishment Clause
2016-of the Constitution of the United States of America.
2017-(g) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, no funds received by
2018-a town pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u
2019-shall be used to supplant federal, state or local funding received by such
2020-town for early childhood education, provided a town may use an
2021-amount determined in accordance with this subsection for coordination,
2022-program evaluation and administration. Such amount shall be at least
2023-five per cent of the total grant allocation, but not more than seventy-five
2024-thousand dollars and shall be determined by the commissioner based
2025-on the school readiness grant award allocated to the town pursuant to
2026-subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u and the number of Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2027-
2028-Public Act No. 23-160 64 of 75
2029-
2030-operating sites for coordination, program evaluatio n and
2031-administration. Such amount shall be increased by an amount equal to
2032-local funding provided for early childhood education coordination,
2033-program evaluation and administration, not to exceed twenty-five
2034-thousand dollars. Each town that receives a grant pursuant to
2035-subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u shall designate a
2036-person to be responsible for such coordination, program evaluation and
2037-administration and to act as a liaison between the town and the
2038-commissioner. Each school readiness program that receives funds
2039-pursuant to this section or section 10-16u shall provide information to
2040-the commissioner or the school readiness council, as requested, that is
2041-necessary for purposes of any school readiness program evaluation.
2042-(h) Any town receiving a grant pursuant to this section may use such
2043-grant, with the approval of the commissioner, to prepare a facility or
2044-staff for operating a school readiness program and shall be adjusted
2045-based on the number of days of operation of a school readiness program
2046-if a shorter term of operation is approved by the commissioner.
2047-(i) A town may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible
2048-children who reside in such town at an accredited school readiness
2049-program located in another town. A regional school readiness council
2050-may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible children who reside
2051-in the region covered by the council at an accredited school readiness
2052-program located outside such region.
2053-(j) Children enrolled in school readiness programs funded pursuant
2054-to this section shall not be counted (1) as resident students for purposes
2055-of subdivision (22) of section 10-262f, or (2) in the determination of
2056-average daily membership pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a)
2057-of section 10-261.
2058-(k) (1) Up to two per cent of the amount of the appropriation for this
2059-section may be allocated to the competitive grant program pursuant to Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2060-
2061-Public Act No. 23-160 65 of 75
2062-
2063-subsection (d) of this section. The determination of the amount of such
2064-allocation shall be made on or before August first.
2065-(2) Up to two per cent of the amount of the appropriation for this
2066-section may be used by the commissioner in a manner consistent with
2067-the provisions of section 10-509.
2068-[(l) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year
2069-thereafter, any school readiness program that (1) is licensed by the
2070-Office of Early Childhood pursuant to chapter 368a, (2) provides full-
2071-day and year-round child care and education programs for children,
2072-and (3) receives funds pursuant to this section or section 10-16u, shall
2073-use any amount of the per child cost as described in subdivision (1) of
2074-subsection (b) of section 10-16q that is over the amount of eight
2075-thousand nine hundred twenty-seven dollars, exclusively to increase
2076-the salaries of those individuals with direct responsibility for teaching
2077-or caring for children in a classroom at such school readiness program.]
2078-Sec. 37. Subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 10-505 of the
2079-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2080-thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
2081-(3) "Eligible children" means children (A) [three and] from birth to
2082-four years of age, inclusive, and children five years of age who are not
2083-eligible to enroll in school pursuant to section 10-15c, or who are eligible
2084-to enroll in school and will attend a school readiness program pursuant
2085-to section 10-16t, and (B) who reside (i) in an area served by a priority
2086-school or a former priority school, as described in subdivision (2) of
2087-subsection (d) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, (ii) in a town
2088-ranked one to fifty when all towns are ranked in ascending order
2089-according to town wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-
2090-262f, whose school district is not a priority school district pursuant to
2091-section 10-266p, (iii) in a town formerly a town described in clause (ii)
2092-of this subparagraph, as provided for in subdivision (2) of subsection Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2093-
2094-Public Act No. 23-160 66 of 75
2095-
2096-(d) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, or (iv) in a town designated
2097-as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, whose school
2098-district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p;
2099-Sec. 38. Subsection (b) of section 8-210 of the general statutes is
2100-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2101-2023):
2102-(b) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of
2103-Early Childhood, may enter into a contract with a municipality, a group
2104-child care home or family child care home, as described in section 19a-
2105-77, a human resource development agency or a nonprofit corporation
2106-for state financial assistance in developing and operating child care
2107-centers, group child care homes and family child care homes for
2108-children disadvantaged by reasons of economic, social or environmental
2109-conditions, provided no such financial assistance shall be available for
2110-the operating costs of any such child care center, group child care home
2111-or family child care home unless it has been licensed by the
2112-Commissioner of Early Childhood pursuant to section 19a-80. Such
2113-financial assistance shall be available for a program of a municipality, of
2114-a group child care home or family child care home, of a human resource
2115-development agency or of a nonprofit corporation which may provide
2116-for personnel, equipment, supplies, activities, program materials and
2117-renovation and remodeling of the physical facilities of such child care
2118-centers, group child care homes or family child care homes. Such
2119-contract shall provide for state financial assistance, within available
2120-appropriations, in the form of a state grant-in-aid (1) for a portion of the
2121-cost of such program, as determined by the Commissioner of Early
2122-Childhood, if not federally assisted, (2) equal to one-half of the amount
2123-by which the net cost of such program, as approved by the
2124-Commissioner of Early Childhood, exceeds the federal grant-in-aid
2125-thereof, or (3) in an amount not less than (A) the per child cost as
2126-described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, for each Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2127-
2128-Public Act No. 23-160 67 of 75
2129-
2130-child in such program that is three or four years of age and each child
2131-that is five years of age who is not eligible to enroll in school, pursuant
2132-to section 10-15c, while maintaining services to children under three
2133-years of age under this section, and (B) thirteen thousand five hundred
2134-dollars for each child three years of age or under who is in infant or
2135-toddler care and not in a preschool program. Any such contract entered
2136-into on or after July 1, 2022, shall include a provision that at least sixty
2137-per cent of the children enrolled in such child care center, group child
2138-care home or family child care home are members of families [that] who
2139-are at or below seventy-five per cent of the state median income. [For
2140-the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year thereafter, the
2141-amount per child pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection that is
2142-over the amount of the per child cost that was prescribed pursuant to
2143-the contract under said subdivision (3) for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2144-2023, shall be used exclusively to increase the salaries of early childhood
2145-educators employed at the child care center.] The Commissioner of
2146-Early Childhood may authorize child care centers, group child care
2147-homes and family child care homes receiving financial assistance under
2148-this subsection to apply a program surplus to the next program year.
2149-The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall consult with directors of
2150-child care centers in establishing fees for the operation of such centers.
2151-For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the Commissioner of Early
2152-Childhood shall, within available appropriations, enter into contracts
2153-under this section for the purpose of expanding the number of spaces
2154-available to children three years of age or under who are in infant or
2155-toddler care and not in a preschool program.
2156-Sec. 39. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-506 of the general statutes
2157-are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
2158-1, 2023):
2159-(a) For the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2015, [to June 30, 2024,
2160-inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the Office of Early Childhood, Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2161-
2162-Public Act No. 23-160 68 of 75
2163-
2164-in consultation with the Department of Education, shall design and
2165-administer the Connecticut Smart Start competitive grant program to
2166-provide grants to local and regional boards of education for capital and
2167-operating expenses related to establishing or expanding a preschool
2168-program under the jurisdiction of the board of education for the town.
2169-A local or regional board of education may submit an application to the
2170-office, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section,
2171-and may receive (1) a grant for capital expenses in an amount not to
2172-exceed seventy-five thousand dollars per classroom for costs related to
2173-the renovation of an existing public school to accommodate the
2174-establishment or expansion of a preschool program, and (2) an annual
2175-grant for operating expenses (A) in an amount not to exceed five
2176-thousand dollars per child served by such grant, or (B) in an amount not
2177-to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars for each preschool classroom,
2178-provided no town shall receive a total annual grant for operating
2179-expenses greater than three hundred thousand dollars. Each local or
2180-regional board of education that establishes or expands a preschool
2181-program under this section shall be eligible to receive an annual grant
2182-for operating expenses for a period of five years, provided such
2183-preschool program meets standards established by the Commissioner
2184-of Early Childhood. Such local or regional board of education may
2185-submit an application for renewal of such grant to the office.
2186-(b) On and after July 1, 2014, local and regional boards of education,
2187-individually or cooperatively, pursuant to section 10-158a, may apply,
2188-at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, to the
2189-office for a capital grant and an operating grant for the purposes
2190-described in subsection (a) of this section. To be eligible to receive such
2191-grants under this section, an applicant board of education shall (1)
2192-demonstrate that it has a need for establishing or expanding a preschool
2193-program using information requested by the commissioner on a form
2194-prescribed by the commissioner, such as data collected from the
2195-preschool experience survey, described in section 10-515, (2) submit a Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2196-
2197-Public Act No. 23-160 69 of 75
2198-
2199-plan for the expenditure of grant funds received under this section that
2200-outlines how such board of education will use such funds to establish
2201-or expand a preschool program, including, but not limited to, the
2202-amount that such board will contribute to the operation of such
2203-preschool program and how such board of education will provide
2204-access to preschool for children who would not otherwise be able to
2205-enroll in a preschool program, and (3) submit a letter of support for
2206-establishing or expanding a preschool program by the local or regional
2207-school readiness council, described in section 10-16r, if any, for the
2208-school district. The commissioner shall give priority to boards of
2209-education (A) that demonstrate the greatest need for the establishment
2210-or expansion of a preschool program, and (B) whose plan allocates at
2211-least sixty per cent of the spaces in such preschool program to children
2212-who are members of families [that] who are at or below seventy-five per
2213-cent of the state median income. [, or fifty per cent of the spaces in such
2214-preschool program to children who are eligible for free and reduced
2215-price lunches.] The commissioner, in reviewing applications submitted
2216-under this subsection, shall also take into consideration (i) whether an
2217-applicant board of education (I) currently offers a full-day kindergarten
2218-program, (II) will be cooperating and coordinating with other
2219-governmental and community programs to provide services during
2220-periods when the preschool program is not in session, or (III) will
2221-collaborate with other boards of education, as part of a cooperative
2222-arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a, to offer a regional preschool
2223-program, and (ii) current community capacity for preschool programs
2224-and current opportunities for preschool for children in the community.
2225-Sec. 40. Subsection (b) of section 10-500 of the general statutes is
2226-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2227-2023):
2228-(b) The office shall be responsible for:
2229-(1) Delivering services to young children and their families to ensure Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2230-
2231-Public Act No. 23-160 70 of 75
2232-
2233-optimal health, safety and learning for each young child, including, but
2234-not limited to, coordinating agency efforts and data sharing in the two-
2235-generational initiative established pursuant to section 17b-112l;
2236-(2) Developing and implementing the early childhood information
2237-system, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-501;
2238-(3) Developing and reporting on the early childhood accountability
2239-plan, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-503;
2240-(4) Implementing a communications strategy for outreach to families,
2241-service providers and policymakers;
2242-(5) Beginning a state-wide longitudinal evaluation of the school
2243-readiness program examining the educational progress of children from
2244-prekindergarten programs to grade four, inclusive;
2245-(6) Developing, coordinating and supporting public and private
2246-partnerships to aid early childhood initiatives;
2247-(7) Developing a state-wide developmentally appropriate
2248-kindergarten entrance inventory that measures a child's level of
2249-preparedness for kindergarten, but shall not be used as a measurement
2250-tool for program accountability;
2251-(8) Creating a unified set of reporting requirements for the purpose
2252-of collecting the data elements necessary to perform quality assessments
2253-and longitudinal analysis;
2254-(9) Comparing and analyzing data collected pursuant to reporting
2255-requirements created under subdivision (8) of this subsection with the
2256-data collected in the state-wide public school information system,
2257-pursuant to section 10-10a, for population-level analysis of children and
2258-families;
2259-(10) Continually monitoring and evaluating all early care and Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2260-
2261-Public Act No. 23-160 71 of 75
2262-
2263-education and child development programs and services, focusing on
2264-program outcomes in satisfying the health, safety, developmental and
2265-educational needs of all children;
2266-(11) Coordinating home visitation services across programs for
2267-young children;
2268-(12) Providing information and technical assistance to persons
2269-seeking early care and education and child development programs and
2270-services;
2271-(13) Assisting state agencies and municipalities in obtaining available
2272-federal funding for early care and education and child development
2273-programs and services;
2274-(14) Providing technical assistance to providers of early care and
2275-education programs and services to obtain licensing and improve
2276-program quality;
2277-(15) Establishing a quality rating and improvement system
2278-developed by the office that covers home-based, center-based and
2279-school-based early child care and learning;
2280-(16) Maintaining an accreditation facilitation initiative to assist early
2281-childhood care and education program and service providers in
2282-achieving national standards and program improvement;
2283-(17) Consulting with the Early Childhood Cabinet, established
2284-pursuant to section 10-16z, and the Head Start advisory committee,
2285-established pursuant to section 10-16n;
2286-(18) Ensuring a coordinated and comprehensive state-wide system of
2287-professional development for providers and staff of early care and
2288-education and child development programs and services;
2289-(19) Providing families with opportunities for choice in services Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2290-
2291-Public Act No. 23-160 72 of 75
2292-
2293-including quality child care and community-based family-centered
2294-services;
2295-(20) Integrating early childhood care and education and special
2296-education services;
2297-(21) Promoting universal access to early childhood care and
2298-education;
2299-(22) Ensuring nonduplication of monitoring and evaluation;
2300-(23) Performing any other activities that will assist in the provision of
2301-early care and education and child development programs and services;
2302-(24) Developing early learning and development standards to be
2303-used by early care and education providers;
2304-(25) Developing and implementing a performance-based evaluation
2305-system to evaluate licensed child care centers, in accordance with the
2306-provisions of section 17b-749f; [and]
2307-(26) Promoting the delivery of services to infants and toddlers to
2308-ensure optimal health, safety and learning of children from birth to three
2309-years of age; and
2310-(27) Establishing a parent cabinet to advise the office on ways to
2311-strengthen partnership and communication with families, bring
2312-awareness to gaps and barriers to services, increase access to services for
2313-families and help make improvements to the lives of young children and
2314-families in the state.
2315-Sec. 41. Subsection (b) of section 17b-749 of the general statutes is
2316-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2317-2023):
2318-(b) The commissioner shall establish income standards for applicants Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2319-
2320-Public Act No. 23-160 73 of 75
2321-
2322-and recipients at a level to include a family with gross income up to fifty
2323-per cent of the state-wide median income, except the commissioner (1)
2324-may increase the income level up to the maximum level allowed under
2325-federal law, (2) upon the request of the Commissioner of Children and
2326-Families, may waive the income standards for adoptive families so that
2327-children adopted on or after October 1, 1999, from the Department of
2328-Children and Families are eligible for the child care subsidy program,
2329-and (3) [on and after March 1, 2003, shall reduce the income eligibility
2330-level to up to fifty-five per cent of the state-wide median income for
2331-applicants and recipients who qualify based on their loss of eligibility
2332-for temporary family assistance] shall establish a two-tiered income
2333-eligibility threshold in accordance with 45 CFR 98.21(b), as amended
2334-from time to time. The commissioner may adopt regulations in
2335-accordance with chapter 54 to establish income criteria and durational
2336-requirements for such waiver of income standards.
2337-Sec. 42. Section 7-464b of the general statutes is repealed and the
2338-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
2339-(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, and the
2340-provisions of any collective bargaining agreement, a municipality or a
2341-[local or regional board of education] public school operator may join
2342-together with any combination of other municipalities and [local or
2343-regional boards of education] public school operators by written
2344-agreement as a single entity for the purpose of providing medical or
2345-health care benefits for their employees. Such written agreement shall
2346-establish the membership of such group, the duration of such benefits
2347-plan, requirements regarding payment for such benefits plan and the
2348-procedures for a municipality or [local or regional board of education]
2349-public school operator to withdraw from such group and terminate such
2350-benefits plan. Such agreement shall not constitute a multiple employer
2351-welfare arrangement, as defined in Section 3 of the Employee
2352-Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time. Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2353-
2354-Public Act No. 23-160 74 of 75
2355-
2356-Any group established pursuant to this section shall not be deemed a
2357-fictitious group. As used in this section, "municipality" means any town,
2358-city or borough, consolidated town and city, consolidated town and
2359-borough or any district, as defined in section 7-324; and "public school
2360-operator" means a local or regional board of education, a regional
2361-educational service center, the governing council of a state or local
2362-charter school, or an operator of an interdistrict magnet school program,
2363-as described in section 10-264l, as amended by this act.
2364-(b) Before a municipality or a [local or regional board of education]
2365-public school operator may enter into an agreement described in
2366-subsection (a) of this section, the legislative body of a municipality shall
2367-approve such an agreement in cases where: (1) There is an existing
2368-arrangement between a municipality and the [board of education]
2369-public school operator serving such municipality for the provision of
2370-medical or health care benefits to the employees of both the municipality
2371-and the [board of education] public school operator serving such
2372-municipality; or (2) a municipality and the [board of education] public
2373-school operator serving such municipality have separate medical or
2374-health care benefits plans for their respective employees and both such
2375-benefits plans are paid for by the general fund of the municipality.
2376-Sec. 43. Section 10-4a of the general statutes is repealed and the
2377-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
2378-For purposes of sections 10-4, 10-4b and 10-220, as amended by this
2379-act, and subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-66dd, as amended
2380-by this act, the educational interests of the state shall include, but not be
2381-limited to, the concern of the state that (1) each child shall have for the
2382-period prescribed in the general statutes equal opportunity to receive a
2383-suitable program of educational experiences; (2) each school district
2384-shall finance at a reasonable level and at least, as appropriate, equal to
2385-the minimum budget requirement pursuant to the provisions of section
2386-10-262j, an educational program designed to achieve this end; (3) in Substitute House Bill No. 6882
2387-
2388-Public Act No. 23-160 75 of 75
2389-
2390-order to reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation, each school district
2391-shall provide educational opportunities for its students to interact with
2392-students and teachers from other racial, ethnic, and economic
2393-backgrounds and may provide such opportunities with students from
2394-other communities; and (4) the mandates in the general statutes
2395-pertaining to education within the jurisdiction of the State Board of
2396-Education be implemented.
2397-Sec. 44. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-66dd of the
2398-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2399-thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
2400-(b) (1) Subject to the provisions of this subsection and except as may
2401-be waived pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-66bb, charter schools
2402-shall be subject to all federal and state laws governing public schools,
2403-including the provisions of sections 10-4a, as amended by this act, and
2404-10-4b.
2405-Sec. 45. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Commissioner of Education
2406-shall employ at least one curriculum coordinator to provide assistance
2407-and curriculum materials to local and regional boards of education for
2408-the implementation of the courses of study set forth in subsection (d) of
2409-section 10-16b of the general statutes, in accordance with sections 10-
2410-16pp, 10-16qq, 10-16ss to 10-16ww, inclusive, and 10-18f of the general
2411-statutes.
180+ED Joint Favorable Subst.
2412181