CT
Connecticut Senate Bill SB00001

Connecticut 2023 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB00001 Compare Versions

OldNewDifferences
1+
2+
3+LCO \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-R03-
4+SB.docx
5+1 of 9
6+
7+General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 1
8+January Session, 2023
19
210
311
4-Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
5-
6-Public Act No. 23-167
712
813
914 AN ACT CONCERNING TRANSPARENCY IN EDUCATION.
1015 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1116 Assembly convened:
1217
13-Section 1. Section 10-227 of the general statutes is repealed and the
14-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
15-(a) Each board of education shall cause the superintendent to make
16-returns not later than September first of each year to the Commissioner
17-of Education of the receipts, expenditures and statistics, as prescribed
18-by the commissioner, provided each such board may submit revisions
19-to the returns in such form and with such documentation as required by
20-the commissioner no later than December thirty-first of each year
21-following the September submission. Such reports or returns required
22-shall be [made] filed in accordance with the instructions furnished by
23-the commissioner, shall be certified no later than December thirty-first
24-of each year by the independent public accountant selected pursuant to
25-section 7-392 for the purpose of auditing municipal accounts, and shall
26-be subject to Department of Education verification. If the returns and
27-statistics and revisions called for by said commissioner are not [sent]
28-filed on or before the days specified in this section or if the returns are
29-not certified as required by the commissioner on or before December
30-thirty-first, each local and regional board of education required by law
31-to make separate returns, whose returns and statistics or revisions are Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
18+Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than January 1, 1
19+2024, and annually thereafter, the Department of Education shall 2
20+conduct a review of each chart of accounts for the previous fiscal year 3
21+submitted pursuant to section 10-227 of the general statutes, as amended 4
22+by this act. Following the review of each such chart of accounts, the 5
23+department shall prepare a report for each local or regional board of 6
24+education that includes school district financial information for the 7
25+following categories: (1) Expense function, (2) expense object, (3) 8
26+education type, (4) pre-k flag, (5) allocation, and (6) funding source. 9
27+Within each such category, such financial information shall be 10
28+disaggregated by each education financial system code utilized by the 11
29+department as part of its education financial system. 12
30+(b) The department shall make the chart of accounts and report of 13
31+such chart of accounts for each local or regional board of education 14
32+available on its Internet web site. 15
33+Sec. 2. Section 10-227 of the general statutes is repealed and the 16
34+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 17
35+[Each board of education shall cause the superintendent to make 18 Substitute Bill No. 1
3236
33-Public Act No. 23-167 2 of 95
3437
35-delayed until after those days, shall forfeit of the total sum which is paid
36-for such board of education from the State Treasurer an amount to be
37-determined by the State Board of Education, which amount shall be not
38-less than one thousand dollars nor more than ten thousand dollars. The
39-amount so forfeited shall be withheld from a subsequent grant payment
40-as determined by the commissioner. Notwithstanding the penalty
41-provision of this section, the Commissioner of Education may waive
42-said forfeiture for good cause.
43-(b) Not later than February 15, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
44-Department of Education shall publish on its Internet web site the data
45-contained in the reports and returns filed pursuant to subsection (a) of
46-this section by education program type, expense function, expense
47-object and funding source, including, but not limited to, federal,
48-combined state and local and combined private and other sources for
49-the school and district level. The department shall develop and publish
50-a guide that contains definitions for each category of expenditure and
51-funding source.
52-(c) Not later than February 15, 2025, and annually thereafter, the
53-Department of Education shall develop and publish the data contained
54-in the reports and returns filed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section
55-in a format that allows financial comparisons between school districts
56-and schools, including student enrollment and demographic statistics
57-as of October first of the school year in which such reports and returns
58-were filed.
59-Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) On and after July 1, 2023, the
60-Department of Education shall annually offer a training program to
61-newly elected members of local and regional boards of education. Such
62-training program shall be developed by the department and include, but
63-not be limited to, the role and responsibilities of a board member, the
64-duties and obligations of a board of education and school district
65-budgeting and education finance. The Department of Education may Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
38+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
39+R03-SB.docx }
40+2 of 9
6641
67-Public Act No. 23-167 3 of 95
42+returns not later than September first of each year to the Commissioner 19
43+of Education of the receipts, expenditures and statistics, as prescribed 20
44+by the commissioner, provided each such board may submit revisions 21
45+to the returns in such form and with such documentation as required by 22
46+the commissioner no later than December thirty-first of each year 23
47+following the September submission. Such reports or returns required] 24
48+Not later than September first of each year, each board of education shall 25
49+cause the superintendent to make returns of the receipts, expenditures 26
50+and statistics of such board for the previous fiscal year by filing the chart 27
51+of accounts described in section 10-10c, as amended by this act, with the 28
52+Commissioner of Education. Each such board may submit revisions to 29
53+its chart of accounts not later than December thirty-first of each year 30
54+following the September submission. Such chart of accounts shall be 31
55+[made] filed in accordance with the instructions furnished by the 32
56+commissioner, shall be certified no later than December thirty-first of 33
57+each year by the independent public accountant selected pursuant to 34
58+section 7-392 for the purpose of auditing municipal accounts, and shall 35
59+be subject to Department of Education verification. If the [returns and 36
60+statistics] chart of accounts and revisions called for by said 37
61+commissioner are not [sent] filed on or before the days specified in this 38
62+section or if the [returns are] chart of accounts is not certified as required 39
63+by the commissioner on or before December thirty-first, each local and 40
64+regional board of education required by law to [make separate returns] 41
65+file the chart of accounts, whose [returns and statistics] chart of accounts 42
66+or revisions are delayed until after those days, shall forfeit of the total 43
67+sum which is paid for such board of education from the State Treasurer 44
68+an amount to be determined by the State Board of Education, which 45
69+amount shall be not less than one thousand dollars nor more than ten 46
70+thousand dollars. The amount so forfeited shall be withheld from a 47
71+subsequent grant payment as determined by the commissioner. 48
72+[Notwithstanding the penalty provision of this section, the 49
73+Commissioner of Education may waive said forfeiture for good cause.] 50
74+Sec. 3. Section 10-10c of the general statutes is repealed and the 51
75+following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 52 Substitute Bill No. 1
6876
69-collaborate with an association that represents boards of education in
70-the state, and accept gifts, grants and donations, including in-kind
71-donations, to implement the provisions of this section.
72-Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) On and after July 1, 2023, any
73-person who has been elected to a local or regional board of education
74-for the first time shall complete, at a time and in a manner prescribed by
75-the Department of Education, the training program for newly elected
76-members of local and regional boards of education, as described in
77-section 2 of this act. Each such member shall complete such training
78-program not later than one year after assuming office.
79-Sec. 4. Subsections (c) to (f), inclusive, of section 10-262u of the
80-general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
81-thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
82-(c) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and each fiscal year
83-thereafter, the Comptroller shall withhold from any town that (A) was
84-designated as an alliance district pursuant to subdivision (2) of
85-subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds received over the
86-amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012,
87-pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, and (B) was designated as
88-an alliance district for the first time pursuant to subdivision (3) of
89-subsection (b) of this section, any increase in funds received over the
90-amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022,
91-pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i. The Comptroller shall
92-transfer such funds to the Commissioner of Education.
93-(2) Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subsection (d) of this
94-section or section 10-156gg, as amended by this act, the Commissioner
95-of Education may pay such funds to the town designated as an alliance
96-district and such town shall pay all such funds to the local or regional
97-board of education for such town on the condition that such funds shall
98-be expended in accordance with (A) the improvement plan described in Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
9977
100-Public Act No. 23-167 4 of 95
78+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
79+R03-SB.docx }
80+3 of 9
10181
102-subsection (d) of this section, (B) the minority candidate certification,
103-retention or residency year program pursuant to section 10-156gg, as
104-amended by this act, (C) the family resource center program, pursuant
105-to section 10-4o, to establish a family resource center in each elementary
106-school under the jurisdiction of such board, (D) the provisions of
107-subsection (c) of section 10-262i, and [(D)] (E) any guidelines developed
108-by the State Board of Education for such funds. Such funds shall be used
109-to improve student achievement and recruit and retain minority
110-teachers in such alliance district and to offset any other local education
111-costs approved by the commissioner.
112-(d) The local or regional board of education for a town designated as
113-an alliance district may apply to the Commissioner of Education, at such
114-time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, to receive any
115-increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the
116-prior fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i.
117-Applications pursuant to this subsection shall include objectives and
118-performance targets and [a] an improvement plan that are developed,
119-in part, on the strategic use of student academic performance data. Such
120-improvement plan may include, but not be limited to, the following: (1)
121-A tiered system of interventions for the schools under the jurisdiction of
122-such board based on the needs of such schools, (2) ways to strengthen
123-the foundational programs in reading, through the intensive reading
124-instruction program pursuant to section 10-14u, as amended by this act,
125-to ensure reading mastery in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, with
126-a focus on standards and instruction, proper use of data, intervention
127-strategies, current information for teachers, parental engagement, and
128-teacher professional development, (3) additional learning time,
129-including extended school day or school year programming
130-administered by school personnel or external partners, (4) a talent
131-strategy that includes, but is not limited to, teacher and school leader
132-recruitment and assignment, career ladder policies that draw upon
133-guidelines for a model teacher evaluation program adopted by the State Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
82+(a) The Department of Education shall develop and implement a 53
83+uniform system of accounting for school revenues and expenditures. 54
84+Such uniform system of accounting shall include a chart of accounts to 55
85+be used at the school and district level. Such chart of accounts shall 56
86+include, but not be limited to, all amounts and sources of revenue and 57
87+donations of cash and real or personal property in the aggregate totaling 58
88+five hundred dollars or more, including federal impact aid, received by 59
89+a local or regional board of education, regional educational service 60
90+center, charter school or charter management organization on behalf of 61
91+a school district or individual school. Select measures shall be required 62
92+at the individual school level, as determined by the department. The 63
93+department shall make such chart of accounts available on its Internet 64
94+web site. 65
95+(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2015] 2024, and each fiscal year 66
96+thereafter, each local or regional board of education, regional 67
97+educational service center and state charter school shall implement such 68
98+uniform system of accounting by completing and filing annual financial 69
99+reports with the department using the chart of accounts and meet the 70
100+provisions of section 10-227, as amended by this act. 71
101+(c) The Office of Policy and Management may annually audit the 72
102+financial reports submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section for 73
103+any local or regional board of education, regional educational service 74
104+center or state charter school. 75
105+(d) Not later than July 1, [2013] 2023, the Department of Education 76
106+shall submit the chart of accounts described in subsection (a) of this 77
107+section to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having 78
108+cognizance of matters relating to education and appropriations and the 79
109+budgets of state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 80
110+11-4a. 81
111+Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) On and after July 1, 2023, the 82
112+Department of Education shall annually offer a training program to 83
113+newly elected members of local and regional boards of education. Such 84 Substitute Bill No. 1
134114
135-Public Act No. 23-167 5 of 95
136115
137-Board of Education, pursuant to section 10-151b, and adopted by each
138-local or regional board of education. Such talent strategy may include
139-provisions that demonstrate increased ability to attract, retain, promote
140-and bolster the performance of staff in accordance with performance
141-evaluation findings and, in the case of new personnel, other indicators
142-of effectiveness, (5) training for school leaders and other staff on new
143-teacher evaluation models, (6) provisions for the cooperation and
144-coordination with early childhood education providers to ensure
145-alignment with district expectations for student entry into kindergarten,
146-including funding for an existing local Head Start program, (7)
147-provisions for the cooperation and coordination with other
148-governmental and community programs to ensure that students receive
149-adequate support and wraparound services, including community
150-school models, (8) provisions for implementing and furthering state-
151-wide education standards adopted by the State Board of Education and
152-all activities and initiatives associated with such standards, (9) strategies
153-for attracting and recruiting minority teachers and administrators, (10)
154-provisions for the enhancement of bilingual education programs,
155-pursuant to section 10-17f, or other language acquisition services to
156-English language learners, including, but not limited to, participation in
157-the English language learner pilot program, established pursuant to
158-section 10-17n, (11) entering into the model school district
159-responsibilities agreement, described in section 10-223l, (12) leadership
160-succession plans that provide training and learning opportunities for
161-administrators and are designed to assist in the seamless transition of
162-school and district personnel in and out of leadership positions in the
163-school district and the continuous implementation of improvement
164-plans developed under this subsection, (13) implementing the policy
165-adopted pursuant to section 10-223m to improve completion rates of the
166-Free Application for Federal Student Aid by students enrolled in grade
167-twelve in a high school under the jurisdiction of such board or students
168-enrolled in an adult education program maintained by such board
169-pursuant to section 10-69, and, as applicable, the parent and guardians Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
116+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
117+R03-SB.docx }
118+4 of 9
170119
171-Public Act No. 23-167 6 of 95
120+training program shall be developed by the department, and include, 85
121+but not be limited to, the role and responsibilities of a board member, 86
122+the duties and obligations of a board of education and school district 87
123+budgeting and education finance. 88
124+Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) On and after July 1, 2023, any 89
125+person who has been elected to a local or regional board of education 90
126+for the first time shall complete, at a time and in a manner prescribed by 91
127+the Department of Education, the training program for newly elected 92
128+members of local and regional boards of education, as described in 93
129+section 4 of this act. Each such member shall complete such training 94
130+program not later than one year after assuming office. 95
131+Sec. 6. Subsection (i) of section 10-145a of the general statutes is 96
132+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 97
133+2023): 98
134+(i) On and after July 1, [2016] 2023, any program of teacher 99
135+preparation leading to professional certification shall require, as part of 100
136+the curriculum, clinical experience, field experience or student teaching 101
137+experience in a classroom during four semesters of such program of 102
138+teacher preparation. [Such clinical experience, field experience or 103
139+student teaching experience shall occur: (1) In a school district that has 104
140+been categorized by the Department of Education as District Reference 105
141+Group A, B, C, D or E, and (2) in a school district that has been 106
142+categorized by the department as District Reference Group F, G, H or I.] 107
143+Such clinical experience, field experience or student teaching experience 108
144+may include a cooperating teacher serving as a mentor to student 109
145+teachers, provided such cooperating teacher has received a performance 110
146+evaluation designation of exemplary or proficient, pursuant to section 111
147+10-151b, for the prior school year. 112
148+Sec. 7. Subsections (a) to (c), inclusive, of section 10-262u of the 113
149+general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 114
150+thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): 115 Substitute Bill No. 1
172151
173-of such students, and (14) any additional categories or goals as
174-determined by the commissioner. Such improvement plan shall
175-demonstrate collaboration with key stakeholders, as identified by the
176-commissioner, with the goal of achieving efficiencies and the alignment
177-of intent and practice of current programs with conditional programs
178-identified in this subsection. The commissioner may (A) require changes
179-in any improvement plan submitted by a local or regional board of
180-education before the commissioner approves an application under this
181-subsection, and (B) permit a local or regional board of education, as part
182-of such improvement plan, to use a portion of any funds received under
183-this section for the purposes of paying tuition charged to such board
184-pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 10-264l or
185-subsection (b) of section 10-264o. Each such local and regional board of
186-education shall annually submit such improvement plan to the
187-department.
188-(e) The State Board of Education may develop guidelines and criteria
189-for the administration of such funds under this section.
190-(f) The commissioner may withhold such funds if the local or regional
191-board of education fails to comply with the provisions of this section.
192-The commissioner may renew such funding if the local or regional
193-board of education provides evidence that the school district of such
194-board is achieving the objectives and performance targets approved by
195-the commissioner stated in the improvement plan submitted under this
196-section.
197-Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Department of Education
198-shall publish on its Internet web site the improvement plan submitted
199-pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-262u of the general statutes, as
200-amended by this act, for each local or regional board of education for a
201-town designated as an alliance district pursuant to said section 10-262u.
202-Sec. 6. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
203152
204-Public Act No. 23-167 7 of 95
153+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
154+R03-SB.docx }
155+5 of 9
205156
206-2024, to June 30, 2026, inclusive, the Department of Education shall
207-administer a wholesome school meals pilot program that awards a grant
208-to an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u of the general
209-statutes, as amended by this act, for the purpose of embedding a
210-professional chef in such alliance district to assist school meal programs
211-in building the capacity of food service staff, improving school meal
212-quality, increasing diner satisfaction, streamlining operations and
213-establishing a financially viable school meal program. The department
214-shall partner with an organization that specializes in the placement of
215-chefs for the purposes described in this subsection.
216-(b) Not later than October 1, 2023, a local or regional board of
217-education for a town designated as an alliance district may apply to the
218-department, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, for a
219-grant under this section.
220-(c) The department shall review each application submitted under
221-subsection (b) of this section and award five grants under this section.
222-Each grant recipient shall receive an annual grant of one hundred fifty
223-thousand dollars in each year of the pilot program. Such grant shall be
224-expended for the purposes described in subsection (a) of this section.
225-(d) Not later than January 1, 2027, the department shall submit a
226-report on the wholesome school meals pilot program to the joint
227-standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
228-matters relating to education and appropriations, in accordance with the
229-provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
230-Sec. 7. (Effective from passage) The Department of Education shall
231-conduct a study regarding the use of virtual reality as part of classroom
232-instruction in grades nine to twelve, inclusive. Such study shall include,
233-but need not be limited to, a review of best practices for the use of virtual
234-reality as part of classroom instruction, appropriate safety measures for
235-such use and how a local or regional board of education may Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
157+(a) As used in this section and section 10-262i: 116
158+(1) "Alliance district" means a school district for a town that (A) is 117
159+among the towns with the [thirty-three] lowest accountability index 118
160+scores [, as calculated] and so designated by the [Department] 119
161+Commissioner of Education, or (B) was previously designated as an 120
162+alliance district by the Commissioner of Education [for the fiscal years 121
163+ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2022, inclusive] on or before July 1, 122
164+2023. 123
165+(2) "Accountability index" has the same meaning as provided in 124
166+section 10-223e. 125
167+(3) "Mastery test data of record" has the same meaning as provided 126
168+in section 10-262f. 127
169+(4) "Educational reform district" means an alliance district that is 128
170+among the ten lowest accountability index scores when all towns are 129
171+ranked highest to lowest in accountability index scores. 130
172+(b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, the Commissioner of 131
173+Education shall designate thirty school districts as alliance districts. 132
174+[Any school district designated as an alliance district shall be so 133
175+designated for a period of five years. On or before June 30, 2016, the 134
176+Department of Education shall determine if there are any additional 135
177+alliance districts.] 136
178+(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the commissioner shall 137
179+designate thirty-three school districts as alliance districts. [Any school 138
180+district designated as an alliance district shall be so designated for a 139
181+period of five years.] 140
182+(3) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the commissioner shall 141
183+designate thirty-six school districts as alliance districts. [Any school 142
184+district designated as an alliance district shall be so designated for a 143
185+period of five years.] 144 Substitute Bill No. 1
236186
237-Public Act No. 23-167 8 of 95
238187
239-responsibly invest in and purchase virtual reality equipment and
240-programs. Not later than January 1, 2025, the department shall submit a
241-report of its findings and any recommendations to the joint standing
242-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
243-relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a
244-of the general statutes.
245-Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) For the fiscal year ending June
246-30, 2024, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Education
247-shall establish an educator apprenticeship initiative that enables
248-students enrolled in an educator preparation program, residency
249-program or alternate route to certification program to gain classroom
250-teaching experience while working toward becoming full-time, certified
251-teachers upon successful completion of such programs under the
252-educator apprenticeship initiative. The department shall seek
253-certification from the Labor Department for the educator apprenticeship
254-initiative for purposes of leveraging federal grants and funding.
255-(b) The Commissioner of Education shall develop (1) participation
256-guidelines for those educator preparation programs, residency
257-programs and alternate route to certification programs included under
258-the educator apprenticeship initiative, (2) administration guidelines for
259-the implementation of the educator apprenticeship initiative that are
260-consistent with federal laws and regulations, and (3) compensation
261-levels for students enrolled in such educator preparation programs,
262-residency programs and alternate route to certification programs
263-included under the educator apprenticeship initiative.
264-(c) The Commissioner of Education may permit a person enrolled in
265-a residency program to participate in the educator apprenticeship
266-initiative upon the request of the superintendent in whose school
267-district such person is employed or assigned as part of such residency
268-program. Upon successful completion of such residency program and
269-with the recommendation of such superintendent, the State Board of Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
188+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
189+R03-SB.docx }
190+6 of 9
270191
271-Public Act No. 23-167 9 of 95
192+(4) On and after July 1, 2023, the commissioner may designate 145
193+additional school districts as alliance districts. 146
194+(c) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and each fiscal year 147
195+thereafter, the Comptroller shall withhold from any town that [(A)] was 148
196+designated as an alliance district (A) pursuant to subdivision (2) of 149
197+subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds received over the 150
198+amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, 151
199+pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, [and (B) was designated as 152
200+an alliance district] (B) for the first time pursuant to subdivision (3) of 153
201+subsection (b) of this section, any increase in funds received over the 154
202+amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, 155
203+pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, or (C) pursuant to 156
204+subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds 157
205+received over the amount the town received for the fiscal year prior to 158
206+such designation as an alliance district pursuant to subsection (a) of 159
207+section 10-262i. The Comptroller shall transfer such funds to the 160
208+Commissioner of Education. 161
209+(2) Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subsection (d) of this 162
210+section or section 10-156gg, the Commissioner of Education may pay 163
211+such funds to the town designated as an alliance district and such town 164
212+shall pay all such funds to the local or regional board of education for 165
213+such town on the condition that such funds shall be expended in 166
214+accordance with (A) the plan described in subsection (d) of this section, 167
215+(B) the minority candidate certification, retention or residency year 168
216+program pursuant to section 10-156gg, (C) the family resource center 169
217+program, pursuant to section 10-4o, to establish a family resource center 170
218+in each elementary school under the jurisdiction of such board, (D) the 171
219+provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-262i, and [(D)] (E) any 172
220+guidelines developed by the State Board of Education for such funds. 173
221+Such funds shall be used to improve student achievement and recruit 174
222+and retain minority teachers in such alliance district and to offset any 175
223+other local education costs approved by the commissioner. 176
224+Sec. 8. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) As used in this section: 177 Substitute Bill No. 1
272225
273-Education shall issue an initial educator certificate to such person and
274-such person shall not be required to complete the examination
275-requirements set forth in section 10-145f of the general statutes.
276-Sec. 9. Subsection (a) of section 10-220 of the general statutes is
277-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
278-2023):
279-(a) Each local or regional board of education shall maintain good
280-public elementary and secondary schools, implement the educational
281-interests of the state, as defined in section 10-4a, and provide such other
282-educational activities as in its judgment will best serve the interests of
283-the school district; provided any board of education may secure such
284-opportunities in another school district in accordance with provisions of
285-the general statutes and shall give all the children of the school district,
286-including children receiving alternative education, as defined in section
287-10-74j, as nearly equal advantages as may be practicable; shall provide
288-an appropriate learning environment for all its students which includes
289-(1) adequate instructional books, supplies, materials, equipment,
290-staffing, facilities and technology, (2) equitable allocation of resources
291-among its schools, (3) proper maintenance of facilities, and (4) a safe
292-school setting; shall, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (f)
293-of this section, maintain records of allegations, investigations and
294-reports that a child has been abused or neglected by a school employee,
295-as defined in section 53a-65, employed by the local or regional board of
296-education; shall have charge of the schools of its respective school
297-district; shall make a continuing study of the need for school facilities
298-and of a long-term school building program and from time to time make
299-recommendations based on such study to the town; shall adopt and
300-implement an indoor air quality program that provides for ongoing
301-maintenance and facility reviews necessary for the maintenance and
302-improvement of the indoor air quality of its facilities; shall adopt and
303-implement a green cleaning program, pursuant to section 10-231g, that Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
304226
305-Public Act No. 23-167 10 of 95
227+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
228+R03-SB.docx }
229+7 of 9
306230
307-provides for the procurement and use of environmentally preferable
308-cleaning products in school buildings and facilities; on and after July 1,
309-2021, and every five years thereafter, shall report to the Commissioner
310-of Administrative Services on the condition of its facilities and the action
311-taken to implement its long-term school building program, indoor air
312-quality program and green cleaning program, which report the
313-Commissioner of Administrative Services shall use to prepare a report
314-every five years that said commissioner shall submit in accordance with
315-section 11-4a to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
316-having cognizance of matters relating to education; shall advise the
317-Commissioner of Administrative Services of the relationship between
318-any individual school building project pursuant to chapter 173 and such
319-long-term school building program; shall have the care, maintenance
320-and operation of buildings, lands, apparatus and other property used
321-for school purposes and at all times shall insure all such buildings and
322-all capital equipment contained therein against loss in an amount not
323-less than eighty per cent of replacement cost; shall determine the
324-number, age and qualifications of the pupils to be admitted into each
325-school; shall develop and implement a written [plan for minority
326-educator recruitment] increasing educator diversity plan for purposes
327-of subdivision (3) of section 10-4a; shall employ and dismiss the teachers
328-of the schools of such district subject to the provisions of sections 10-151
329-and 10-158a; shall designate the schools which shall be attended by the
330-various children within the school district; shall make such provisions
331-as will enable each child of school age residing in the district to attend
332-some public day school for the period required by law and provide for
333-the transportation of children wherever transportation is reasonable and
334-desirable, and for such purpose may make contracts covering periods of
335-not more than (A) five years, or (B) ten years if such contract includes
336-transportation provided by at least one zero-emission school bus, as
337-defined in 42 USC 16091(a)(8), as amended from time to time; may
338-provide alternative education, in accordance with the provisions of
339-section 10-74j, or place in another suitable educational program a pupil Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
231+(1) "Alliance district" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-178
232+262u of the general statutes, as amended by this act; 179
233+(2) "Private entity" means any individual, corporation, general 180
234+partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint 181
235+venture, nonprofit organization or other business entity; 182
236+(3) "Public-private partnership" means the relationship established 183
237+between the local or regional board of education for a town designated 184
238+as an alliance district, a community college and a private entity for the 185
239+purpose of implementing a pathways in technology early college high 186
240+school program; and 187
241+(4) "Pathways in technology early college high school program" 188
242+means a program of instruction in which students in grades nine to 189
243+twelve, inclusive, complete high school and college-level coursework 190
244+while simultaneously engaging in industry-guided workforce 191
245+development. 192
246+(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year 193
247+thereafter, the Department of Education shall annually issue a request 194
248+for proposals to local and regional boards of education for towns 195
249+designated as alliance districts for the establishment of a new public-196
250+private partnership or the enhancement of an existing pathways in 197
251+technology early college high school program. The department shall 198
252+review such proposals and award a grant to two such boards for the 199
253+costs associated with the establishment of a new public-private 200
254+partnership or enhancement of a pathways in technology early college 201
255+high school program. 202
256+Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) No person shall sell or offer for 203
257+sale to any local or regional board of education, or in any public school, 204
258+any food product in which the name and branding on the packaging 205
259+that is available at retail in the general market place is the same or 206
260+similar to the name and branding on the packaging for sale in a public 207
261+school, but in which the nutritional value per portion or ingredients in 208 Substitute Bill No. 1
340262
341-Public Act No. 23-167 11 of 95
342263
343-enrolling in school who is nineteen years of age or older and cannot
344-acquire a sufficient number of credits for graduation by age twenty-one;
345-may arrange with the board of education of an adjacent town for the
346-instruction therein of such children as can attend school in such adjacent
347-town more conveniently; shall cause each child five years of age and
348-over and under eighteen years of age who is not a high school graduate
349-and is living in the school district to attend school in accordance with
350-the provisions of section 10-184, and shall perform all acts required of it
351-by the town or necessary to carry into effect the powers and duties
352-imposed by law.
353-Sec. 10. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than March 15, 2024,
354-each local and regional board of education shall submit the increasing
355-educator diversity plan described in subsection (a) of section 10-220 of
356-the general statutes, as amended by this act, to the Commissioner of
357-Education for review and approval.
358-(b) The Commissioner of Education shall review each increasing
359-educator diversity plan submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this
360-section. The commissioner may approve such plan or may return such
361-plan to the local or regional board of education that submitted such plan
362-with instructions to revise such plan. Not later than May 15, 2024, any
363-such board shall revise such plan in accordance with such instructions
364-and submit such revised plan to the commissioner for approval.
365-(c) For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, and each school year
366-thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall implement
367-the increasing educator diversity plan approved by the commissioner
368-pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. Each such board shall make
369-such plan available on the Internet web site of such board.
370-(d) The Department of Education shall make each increasing
371-educator diversity plan available on the Internet web site of the
372-department. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
264+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
265+R03-SB.docx }
266+8 of 9
373267
374-Public Act No. 23-167 12 of 95
268+such food product deviate from the same or similarly named and 209
269+branded food product that is for sale in a public school. 210
270+Sec. 10. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 211
271+2024, to June 30, 2026, inclusive, the Department of Education shall 212
272+administer a wholesome school meals pilot program that awards a grant 213
273+to an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u of the general 214
274+statutes, as amended by this act, for the purpose of embedding a 215
275+professional chef in such alliance district to assist school meal programs 216
276+in building the capacity of food service staff, improving school meal 217
277+quality, increasing diner satisfaction, streamlining operations and 218
278+establishing a financially viable school meal program. The department 219
279+shall partner with an organization that specializes in the placement of 220
280+chefs for the purposes described in this subsection. 221
281+(b) Not later than October 1, 2023, a local or regional board of 222
282+education for a town designated as an alliance district may apply to the 223
283+department, in a form and manner prescribed by the department, for a 224
284+grant under this section. 225
285+(c) The department shall review each application submitted under 226
286+subsection (b) of this section and award five grants under this section. 227
287+Each grant recipient shall receive an annual grant of one hundred fifty 228
288+thousand dollars in each year of the pilot program. Such grant shall be 229
289+expended for the purposes described in subsection (a) of this section. 230
290+(d) Not later than January 1, 2027, the department shall submit a 231
291+report on the wholesome school meals pilot program to the joint 232
292+standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of 233
293+matters relating to education and appropriations, in accordance with the 234
294+provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 235
295+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
296+sections:
375297
376-Sec. 11. Section 10-156ii of the general statutes is repealed and the
377-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
378-(a) There is established [a minority teacher candidate scholarship
379-program] an aspiring educators diversity scholarship program
380-administered by the Department of Education. The program shall
381-provide an annual scholarship to [minority] diverse students who (1)
382-graduated from a public high school in a priority school district, as
383-described in section 10-266p, and (2) are enrolled in a teacher
384-preparation program at any four-year institution of higher education.
385-[Maximum grants shall not exceed twenty thousand dollars per year] A
386-diverse student may receive an annual scholarship in an amount up to
387-ten thousand dollars for each year such diverse student is enrolled and
388-in good standing in a teacher preparation program. As used in this
389-section, ["minority"] "diverse" has the same meaning as provided in
390-section 10-156bb, as amended by this act.
391-(b) Not later than January 1, 2023, the department shall, in
392-consultation with the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the
393-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education,
394-develop a policy concerning the administration of the scholarship. Such
395-policy shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions regarding (1)
396-any additional eligibility criteria, (2) payment and distribution of the
397-scholarships to diverse students through the teacher preparation
398-programs in which they are enrolled, and (3) the notification of students
399-in high school in priority school districts of the scholarship program,
400-including the opportunity to apply for a scholarship under the program
401-while enrolled in high school and prior to graduation if such student
402-will be enrolled in a teacher preparation program during the following
403-fall semester at a four-year institution of higher education.
404-(c) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year
405-thereafter, the department shall award scholarships in accordance with
406-the provisions of this section and the guidelines developed pursuant to Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
298+Section 1 July 1, 2023 New section
299+Sec. 2 from passage 10-227 Substitute Bill No. 1
407300
408-Public Act No. 23-167 13 of 95
409301
410-subsection (b) of this section.
411-(d) The Commissioner of Education shall develop scholarship
412-repayment criteria for recipients who are not employed as a certified
413-teacher by a local or regional board of education in the state following
414-graduation from a teacher preparation program. Any amounts repaid to
415-the department shall be deposited in the General Fund.
416-[(d)] (e) The department may accept gifts, grants and donations, from
417-any source, public or private, for the [minority teacher candidate]
418-aspiring educators diversity scholarship program.
419-(f) Not later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
420-department shall develop a report that includes annual data on the race
421-and ethnicity of the diverse students who receive a scholarship under
422-the program and the teacher preparation program in which they are
423-enrolled. The department shall submit such report to the joint standing
424-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
425-relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.
426-Sec. 12. Section 10-156bb of the general statutes is repealed and the
427-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
428-There is established [a Minority Teacher Recruitment Policy
429-Oversight Council] an Increasing Educator Diversity Policy Oversight
430-Council within the Department of Education. The council shall consist
431-of (1) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee,
432-(2) two representatives from the Task Force to Diversify the Educator
433-Workforce, established pursuant to section 10-156aa, (3) one
434-representative from each of the exclusive bargaining units for certified
435-employees, chosen pursuant to section 10-153b, (4) the president of the
436-Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or the president's designee,
437-and (5) a representative from an alternate route to certification program,
438-appointed by the Commissioner of Education. The council shall hold Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
302+LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2023SB-00001-
303+R03-SB.docx }
304+9 of 9
439305
440-Public Act No. 23-167 14 of 95
306+Sec. 3 from passage 10-10c
307+Sec. 4 July 1, 2023 New section
308+Sec. 5 July 1, 2023 New section
309+Sec. 6 July 1, 2023 10-145a(i)
310+Sec. 7 July 1, 2023 10-262u(a) to (c)
311+Sec. 8 July 1, 2023 New section
312+Sec. 9 July 1, 2023 New section
313+Sec. 10 July 1, 2023 New section
441314
442-quarterly meetings and advise, at least quarterly, the Commissioner of
443-Education, or the commissioner's designee, on ways to (A) encourage
444-[minority] diverse students in middle and secondary school [students]
445-to attend institutions of higher education and enter teacher preparation
446-programs, (B) recruit [minority] diverse students attending institutions
447-of higher education to enroll in teacher preparation programs and
448-pursue teaching careers, (C) recruit and retain [minority teachers]
449-diverse educators in Connecticut schools, (D) recruit [minority teachers]
450-diverse educators from other states to teach in Connecticut schools, and
451-(E) recruit [minority] diverse professionals in other fields to enter
452-teaching. The council shall report, annually, in accordance with the
453-provisions of section 11-4a, on the recommendations given to the
454-commissioner, or the commissioner's designee, pursuant to the
455-provisions of this section, to the joint standing committee of the General
456-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education. For
457-purposes of this section, ["minority"] "diverse" means individuals whose
458-race is defined as other than white, or whose ethnicity is defined as
459-Hispanic or Latino by the federal Office of Management and Budget for
460-use by the Bureau of Census of the United States Department of
461-Commerce.
462-Sec. 13. Section 10-156ee of the general statutes is repealed and the
463-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
464-Not later than January 1, 2019, the Department of Education, in
465-consultation with the [Minority Teacher Recruitment Policy Oversight
466-Council] Increasing Educator Diversity Policy Oversight Council,
467-established pursuant to section 10-156bb, as amended by this act, shall
468-(1) identify relevant research and successful practices to enhance
469-[minority teacher] recruitment of diverse educators throughout the
470-state, (2) identify and establish public, private and philanthropic
471-partnerships to increase [minority teacher] recruitment of diverse
472-educators, (3) utilize, monitor and evaluate innovative methods to Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
473315
474-Public Act No. 23-167 15 of 95
475-
476-attract [minority] diverse educator candidates to the teaching
477-profession, particularly in subject areas in which a teacher shortage
478-exists, as determined by the Commissioner of Education pursuant to
479-section 10-8b, (4) modernize the process for educators to obtain educator
480-certification under this chapter by eliminating obstacles to certification
481-to increase competitiveness with other states, (5) identify and utilize
482-high-quality, affordable and bias-free educator assessments, (6) adopt
483-cut scores for educator assessments, that do not exceed the multistate
484-cut scores, to increase competitiveness with surrounding states, (7)
485-support new and existing educator preparation programs that commit
486-to enrolling greater numbers of [minority teacher] diverse educator
487-candidates in a manner that supports interstate reciprocity, (8) monitor,
488-advise and support, and intervene in when necessary, local and regional
489-boards of education's efforts to prioritize [minority teacher] recruitment
490-of diverse educators and develop innovative strategies to attract and
491-retain [minority teachers] diverse educators within their districts, (9) (A)
492-on and after July 1, 2019, include a question regarding the demographic
493-data of applicants for positions requiring educator certification in the
494-department's annual hiring survey distributed to local and regional
495-boards of education, and (B) not later than July 1, 2020, and annually
496-thereafter, submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section
497-11-4a, on the applicant demographic data collected pursuant to
498-subparagraph (A) of this subdivision to the Task Force to Diversify the
499-Educator Workforce, established pursuant to section 10-156aa, and to
500-the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
501-cognizance of matters relating to education, and (10) not later than July
502-1, 2022, develop and make available, in consultation with the State
503-Education Resource Center, a video training module for school district
504-personnel involved in or responsible for hiring educators relating to
505-implicit bias and anti-bias in the hiring process. For purposes of this
506-section, ["minority"] "diverse" has the same meaning as provided in
507-section 10-156bb, as amended by this act. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
508-
509-Public Act No. 23-167 16 of 95
510-
511-Sec. 14. Section 10-156ff of the general statutes is repealed and the
512-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
513-For the school year commencing July 1, 2020, and each school year
514-thereafter, the [Minority Teacher Recruitment Policy Oversight Council]
515-Increasing Educator Diversity Policy Oversight Council, established
516-pursuant to section 10-156bb, as amended by this act, in consultation
517-with the Task Force to Diversify the Educator Workforce, established
518-pursuant to section 10-156aa, shall develop and implement strategies
519-and utilize existing resources to ensure that at least two hundred fifty
520-new [minority] diverse teachers and administrators, of which at least
521-thirty per cent are men, are hired and employed by local and regional
522-boards of education each year in the state. As used in this section,
523-["minority"] "diverse" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-
524-156bb, as amended by this act.
525-Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) For the school year
526-commencing July 1, 2023, and each school year thereafter, the State
527-Board of Education may issue an adjunct professor permit to any person
528-who is a nontenured and part-time instructor employed by a public or
529-independent institution of higher education in the state. Such permit
530-shall authorize such person to be employed by a local or regional board
531-of education and hold a part-time position of not more than twenty-five
532-classroom instructional hours per week to teach in grades nine to
533-twelve, inclusive, of a public school and provide instruction as part of
534-college and career readiness programming offered by such board,
535-including, but not limited to, an early college experience, advanced
536-placement classes, career and technical education, the International
537-Baccalaureate program, a dual enrollment program, a dual credit
538-program and apprenticeships.
539-(b) During a period of such employment, a person holding an adjunct
540-professor permit shall be under the supervision of the superintendent of
541-schools or of a principal, administrator or supervisor designated by such Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
542-
543-Public Act No. 23-167 17 of 95
544-
545-superintendent who shall regularly observe, guide and evaluate the
546-performance of assigned duties by such holder of an adjunct professor
547-permit.
548-(c) Each such adjunct professor permit shall be valid for three years
549-and may be renewed by the Commissioner of Education for good cause
550-upon the request of the superintendent of schools for the district
551-employing such person.
552-(d) Any local or regional board of education employing a person who
553-holds an adjunct professor permit issued under this section shall
554-provide a program to assist each such person. Such program shall
555-include academic and classroom support service components.
556-(e) Any person holding an adjunct professor permit pursuant to this
557-section shall become a member of the exclusive bargaining unit for
558-certified employees chosen pursuant to section 10-153b of the general
559-statutes and shall be subject to the same collective bargaining agreement
560-as the members of such exclusive bargaining unit, unless otherwise
561-agreed to by the employing local or regional board of education and
562-such exclusive bargaining unit.
563-(f) No person holding an adjunct professor permit shall fill a position
564-that will result in the displacement of any person holding a teaching
565-certificate under section 10-145b of the general statutes who is already
566-employed at such school.
567-(g) Any person holding an adjunct professor permit pursuant to this
568-section shall not be deemed to be eligible for membership in the
569-teachers' retirement system solely by reason of such permit, provided
570-any such person who holds a regular teacher's certificate issued by the
571-State Board of Education shall not be excluded from membership in said
572-system.
573-Sec. 16. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-25b of the general statutes Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
574-
575-Public Act No. 23-167 18 of 95
576-
577-are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
578-1, 2023):
579-(a) Not later than January 1, 2024, the Department of Education, in
580-collaboration with the State Education Resource Center, shall develop a
581-model curriculum for grades kindergarten to grade eight, inclusive, that
582-may be used in whole or in part by any local [and] or regional [boards]
583-board of education.
584-(b) The content of the model curriculum shall (1) be rigorous, age-
585-appropriate, aligned with curriculum guidelines approved by the State
586-Board of Education and in accordance with the state-wide subject matter
587-content standards, adopted by the state board pursuant to section 10-4,
588-(2) be in accordance with the program of instruction and subject matter
589-requirements prescribed in section 10-16b, and (3) include and integrate
590-throughout such model curriculum at least the following: (A) The
591-subject matter prescribed in section 10-16b, (B) Native American studies,
592-(C) Asian American and Pacific Islander studies, (D) lesbian, gay,
593-bisexual, transgender, queer and other sexual orientations and gender
594-identities studies, (E) climate change, (F) personal financial
595-management and financial literacy, (G) the military service and
596-experience of American veterans, (H) civics and citizenship, including
597-instruction in digital citizenship and media literacy that provides
598-students with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely, ethically,
599-responsibly and effectively use digital technologies to create and
600-consume digital content, communicate with others and participate in
601-social and civic activities, (I) the principles of social-emotional learning,
602-[and] (J) racism, (K) cursive writing, and (L) world languages beginning
603-in kindergarten.
604-Sec. 17. Subsection (g) of section 10-221a of the general statutes is
605-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
606-2023): Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
607-
608-Public Act No. 23-167 19 of 95
609-
610-(g) Only courses taken in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, and that
611-are in accordance with the state-wide subject matter content standards,
612-adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-4, shall
613-satisfy the graduation requirements set forth in this section, except that
614-a local or regional board of education may grant a student credit (1)
615-toward meeting the high school graduation requirements upon the
616-successful demonstration of mastery of the subject matter content
617-described in this section achieved through educational experiences and
618-opportunities that provide flexible and multiple pathways to learning,
619-including cross-curricular graduation requirements, career and
620-technical education, virtual learning, work-based learning, service
621-learning, dual enrollment and early college, courses taken in middle
622-school, internships and student-designed independent studies,
623-provided such demonstration of mastery is in accordance with such
624-state-wide subject matter content standards; (2) toward meeting a
625-specified course requirement upon the successful completion in grade
626-seven or eight of any course, the primary focus of which corresponds
627-directly to the subject matter of a specified course requirement in grades
628-nine to twelve, inclusive; (3) toward meeting the high school graduation
629-requirement upon the successful completion of a world language course
630-(A) in grade six, seven or eight, (B) through on-line coursework, or (C)
631-offered privately through a nonprofit provider, provided such student
632-achieves a passing grade on an examination prescribed, within available
633-appropriations, by the Commissioner of Education and such credits do
634-not exceed four; (4) toward meeting the high school graduation
635-requirement upon achievement of a passing grade on a subject area
636-proficiency examination identified and approved, within available
637-appropriations, by the Commissioner of Education, regardless of the
638-number of hours the student spent in a public school classroom learning
639-such subject matter; (5) toward meeting the high school graduation
640-requirement upon the successful completion of coursework during the
641-school year or summer months at an institution accredited by the Board
642-of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
643-
644-Public Act No. 23-167 20 of 95
645-
646-regionally accredited. One three-credit semester course, or its
647-equivalent, at such an institution shall equal one-half credit for purposes
648-of this section; [or] (6) toward meeting the high school graduation
649-requirement upon the successful completion of on-line coursework,
650-provided the local or regional board of education has adopted a policy
651-in accordance with this subdivision for the granting of credit for on-line
652-coursework. Such a policy shall ensure, at a minimum, that (A) the
653-workload required by the on-line course is equivalent to that of a similar
654-course taught in a traditional classroom setting, (B) the content is
655-rigorous and aligned with curriculum guidelines approved by the State
656-Board of Education, where appropriate, (C) the course engages students
657-and has interactive components, which may include, but are not limited
658-to, required interactions between students and their teachers,
659-participation in on-line demonstrations, discussion boards or virtual
660-labs, (D) the program of instruction for such on-line coursework is
661-planned, ongoing and systematic, and (E) the courses are (i) taught by
662-teachers who are certified in the state or another state and have received
663-training on teaching in an on-line environment, or (ii) offered by
664-institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Board of
665-Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or
666-regionally accredited; or (7) toward meeting the high school graduation
667-requirement upon the successful completion of a credit recovery
668-program approved by the Commissioner of Education.
669-Sec. 18. (Effective July 1, 2023) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024,
670-the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, in consultation
671-with the Commissioner of Education, shall reclassify not less than four
672-authorized positions at the Department of Education that remain
673-unfilled for the purpose of administering the aspiring educators
674-diversity scholarship program, established pursuant to section 10-156ii
675-of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and implementing
676-programs related to recruitment and retention of diverse educators,
677-provided one such reclassified position shall require experience in Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
678-
679-Public Act No. 23-167 21 of 95
680-
681-communications and be in the Talent Office and responsible for
682-marketing the aspiring educators diversity scholarship program and
683-such recruitment and retention programs. The department shall use
684-funds appropriated to the department's personal services account for
685-the purpose of filling the four staff positions reclassified pursuant to this
686-section.
687-Sec. 19. Subsection (k) of section 10-266aa of the general statutes is
688-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
689-2023):
690-(k) On or before March first of each year, the Commissioner of
691-Education shall determine if the enrollment in the program pursuant to
692-subsection (c) of this section for the fiscal year is below the number of
693-students for which funds were appropriated. If the commissioner
694-determines that the enrollment is below such number, the additional
695-funds shall [not lapse but shall] be used by the commissioner in
696-accordance with this subsection.
697-(1) Any amount up to five hundred thousand dollars of such
698-[nonlapsing] additional funds shall be used for supplemental grants to
699-receiving districts on a pro rata basis for each out-of-district student in
700-the program pursuant to subsection (c) of this section who attends the
701-same school in the receiving district as at least nine other such out-of-
702-district students, not to exceed one thousand dollars per student.
703-(2) Any amount up to and including five hundred thousand dollars
704-of such [nonlapsing] additional funds available after payment is made
705-pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be paid to the State
706-Education Resource Center, established pursuant to section 10-357a, to
707-provide professional development to certified employees, in accordance
708-with the provisions of section 10-148a, and training for other school
709-personnel in receiving districts. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
710-
711-Public Act No. 23-167 22 of 95
712-
713-(3) Any [such nonlapsing] amount up to and including two million
714-dollars of such additional funds remaining after payment is made
715-pursuant to subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall be used for
716-the provision of wrap-around services to students participating in the
717-program, including, but not limited to, academic tutoring, family
718-support and experiential learning opportunities.
719-Sec. 20. Section 10-14hh of the general statutes is repealed and the
720-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
721-(a) [For] (1) Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (2) of this
722-subsection, for the school year commencing July 1, 2023, and each school
723-year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall fully
724-implement a comprehensive reading curriculum model or program for
725-grades [prekindergarten] kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, that has
726-been reviewed and [recommended] approved pursuant to section 10-
727-14ii, as amended by this act.
728-(2) (A) For the school years commencing July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024,
729-a local or regional board of education that has not been granted a waiver
730-pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and is not fully implementing
731-a comprehensive reading curriculum model or program for grades
732-kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, in accordance with the provisions
733-of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section, shall begin partial
734-implementation of such comprehensive reading curriculum model or
735-program, and for the school year commencing July 1, 2025, and each
736-school year thereafter, such board shall fully implement such
737-comprehensive reading curriculum model or program in accordance
738-with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.
739-(B) For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, and each school year
740-thereafter, a local or regional board of education that has been granted
741-a waiver pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall implement a
742-comprehensive reading curriculum model or program other than a Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
743-
744-Public Act No. 23-167 23 of 95
745-
746-model or program reviewed and approved pursuant to section 10-14ii,
747-as amended by this act, in accordance with the provisions of such
748-waiver.
749-(b) On or before July 1, [2023] 2025, and biennially thereafter, each
750-local and regional board of education shall notify the Center for Literacy
751-Research and Reading Success, established pursuant to section 10-14gg,
752-as amended by this act, of which comprehensive reading curriculum
753-model or program that the board is implementing pursuant to
754-subsection (a) of this section.
755-[(c) If a local or regional board of education demonstrates to the
756-Commissioner of Education that such board has insufficient resources
757-or funding to implement any of the reading curriculum model or
758-programs reviewed and recommended pursuant to section 10-14ii, the
759-commissioner shall grant such board an extension of time, if the
760-commissioner determines that such board demonstrates continued
761-efforts to commence implementation of a reviewed and recommended
762-reading curriculum model or program in accordance with this section.]
763-[(d)] (c) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the
764-director of the Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success, shall,
765-upon request of a local or regional board of education, grant a waiver
766-from the provisions of subsection (a) of this section to such board to
767-implement a comprehensive reading curriculum model or program
768-other than a model or program reviewed and recommended pursuant
769-to section 10-14ii, as amended by this act, if the commissioner
770-determines that such other comprehensive reading curriculum [or]
771-model or program is (1) evidenced-based and scientifically-based, and
772-(2) focused on competency in the following areas of reading: Oral
773-language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, rapid
774-automatic name or letter name fluency and reading comprehension. A
775-request for a waiver under this subsection shall include (A) data
776-collected from the reading assessments described in section 10-14t that Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
777-
778-Public Act No. 23-167 24 of 95
779-
780-has been disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, eligibility for free or
781-reduced priced lunches, students whose primary language is not
782-English and students with disabilities, and (B) a strategy to address
783-remaining reading achievement gaps, as defined in section 10-14u, as
784-amended by this act.
785-Sec. 21. Section 10-14ii of the general statutes is repealed and the
786-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
787-Not later than July 1, 2022, the director of the Center for Literacy
788-Research and Reading Success, in consultation with the Reading
789-Leadership Implementation Council established pursuant to section 10-
790-14gg, as amended by this act, shall review and approve at least five
791-comprehensive reading curriculum models or programs to be
792-implemented by local and regional boards of education according to the
793-unique needs of each school district in accordance with the provisions
794-of section 10-14hh, as amended by this act. Such comprehensive reading
795-curriculum models or programs shall be (1) evidenced-based and
796-scientifically-based, and (2) focused on competency in the following
797-areas of reading: Oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency,
798-vocabulary, rapid automatic name or letter name fluency and reading
799-comprehension.
800-Sec. 22. Subsection (a) of section 10-14gg of the general statutes is
801-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
802-passage):
803-(a) The Department of Education shall establish a Center for Literacy
804-Research and Reading Success within the department. The center shall
805-be responsible for (1) the implementation of the coordinated state-wide
806-reading plan for students in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive,
807-established pursuant to section 10-14v; (2) researching and developing,
808-in collaboration with the Office of Early Childhood, a birth to grade
809-twelve reading success strategy to be included in the alignment of Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
810-
811-Public Act No. 23-167 25 of 95
812-
813-reading instruction with the two-generational initiative, established
814-pursuant to section 17b-112l; (3) (A) providing direct support to schools
815-and boards of education to improve reading outcomes for students in
816-kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, and other reading initiatives, and
817-(B) supporting teachers, schools and boards of education engaged in
818-improving through coaching, leadership training, professional
819-development, parental engagement and technical assistance that is
820-consistent with the intensive reading instruction program, as described
821-in section 10-14u, as amended by this act, and aligned with evidence-
822-based practices; (4) providing independent, random reviews of how a
823-local or regional board of education is implementing (A) a
824-comprehensive reading curriculum model or program for grades
825-[prekindergarten] kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, pursuant to
826-section 10-14hh, as amended by this act, and (B) an approved reading
827-assessment, pursuant to section 10-14t; (5) receiving and publicly
828-reporting, not later than September 1, [2023] 2025, and biennially
829-thereafter, the comprehensive reading curriculum model or program
830-being implemented by each local and regional board of education
831-pursuant to section 10-14hh, as amended by this act; (6) developing and
832-maintaining an Internet web site for the purpose of disseminating tools
833-and information associated with the intensive reading instruction
834-program for student reading; (7) serving as a collaborative center for
835-institutions of higher education and making available to the faculty of
836-teacher preparation programs (A) the science of teaching reading, (B)
837-the intensive reading instruction program, and (C) samples of available
838-comprehensive reading curriculum models or programs reviewed and
839-[recommended] approved pursuant to section 10-14ii, as amended by
840-this act; and (8) reviewing and publicly reporting on progress made by
841-teacher preparation programs to include comprehensive reading
842-curriculum models or programs reviewed and [recommended]
843-approved pursuant to section 10-14ii, as amended by this act.
844-Sec. 23. Subsection (a) of section 10-14u of the general statutes is Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
845-
846-Public Act No. 23-167 26 of 95
847-
848-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
849-passage):
850-(a) As used in this section: [and section 10-3c:]
851-(1) "Achievement gaps" means the existence of a significant disparity
852-in the academic performance of students among and between (A) racial
853-groups, (B) ethnic groups, (C) socioeconomic groups, (D) genders, and
854-(E) English language learners and students whose primary language is
855-English.
856-(2) "Opportunity gaps" means the ways in which race, ethnicity,
857-socioeconomic status, English proficiency, community wealth, familial
858-situations or other factors intersect with the unequal or inequitable
859-distribution of resources and opportunities to contribute to or
860-perpetuate lower educational expectations, achievement or attainment.
861-(3) "Scientifically-based reading research and instruction" means (A)
862-a comprehensive program or a collection of instructional practices that
863-is based on reliable, valid evidence showing that when such programs
864-or practices are used, students can be expected to achieve satisfactory
865-reading progress, and (B) the integration of instructional strategies for
866-continuously assessing, evaluating and communicating the student's
867-reading progress and needs in order to design and implement ongoing
868-interventions so that students of all ages and proficiency levels can read
869-and comprehend text and apply higher level thinking skills. Such
870-comprehensive program or collection of practices includes, but is not
871-limited to, instruction in the following areas of reading: Oral language,
872-phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, rapid automatic
873-name or letter name fluency and reading comprehension.
874-Sec. 24. (Effective from passage) The Center for Literacy Research and
875-Reading Success, in consultation with the Reading Leadership
876-Implementation Council, established pursuant to section 10-14gg of the Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
877-
878-Public Act No. 23-167 27 of 95
879-
880-general statutes, as amended by this act, shall review issues related to
881-the implementation of a comprehensive reading curriculum model or
882-program pursuant to section 10-14hh of the general statutes, as
883-amended by this act. Such review shall include (1) the provision of
884-technical assistance to those local and regional boards of education that
885-have been denied a waiver from the provisions of subsection (a) of said
886-section 10-14hh of the general statutes, (2) an examination of the impact
887-of the science of reading master class that uses all of the components of
888-reading, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and
889-comprehension, and (3) upon completion of the Department of
890-Education's independent impact evaluation, a determination of how to
891-scale for use to develop educators who are ready and able to support
892-individual student learning and the science of reading.
893-Sec. 25. (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than January 1, 2025, the
894-Commissioner of Education shall, within available appropriations,
895-conduct an audit of state and local testing requirements and
896-administration. Such audit shall focus on (1) the state-wide mastery
897-examination, as described in section 10-14n of the general statutes, and
898-local standardized assessments used to monitor student and district
899-academic progress and achievement, (2) the amount of time devoted to
900-student preparation or educator instruction for the state-wide mastery
901-examination and such local standardized assessments, including the
902-amount of time that such preparation and instruction takes away from
903-regular instruction. Such audit shall also include recommendations
904-relating to any limitations on the amount of time that may be devoted
905-to administering the state-wide mastery examination and such local
906-standardized assessments. Such audit shall be conducted in a manner
907-that complies with the requirements set forth in 20 USC 6361 to 20 USC
908-6363, inclusive, as amended from time to time, so that the commissioner
909-may submit an application for a grant to conduct such audit and other
910-related activities under the Every Student Succeeds Act, P. L. 114-95. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
911-
912-Public Act No. 23-167 28 of 95
913-
914-(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, the commissioner shall submit a
915-report of the audit described in subsection (a) of this section to the joint
916-standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of
917-matters relating to education and appropriations and the budgets of
918-state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the
919-general statutes.
920-Sec. 26. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) As used in this section:
921-(1) "Local farm" means a farm, farmers' cooperative, food hub or
922-wholesale distributor located in Connecticut.
923-(2) "Regional farm" means a farm, farmers' cooperative, food hub or
924-wholesale distributor located in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode
925-Island, Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine.
926-(3) "Locally sourced food" means produce and other farm products
927-that have a traceable point of origin within Connecticut that are grown
928-or produced at, or sold by, a local farm and includes, but is not limited
929-to, value-added dairy, fish, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, fruits, vegetables
930-and minimally processed foods.
931-(4) "Regionally sourced food" means produce and other farm
932-products that have a traceable point of origin within New York,
933-Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire or Maine that
934-are grown or produced at, or sold by, a regional farm and includes, but
935-is not limited to, value-added dairy, fish, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, fruits,
936-vegetables and minimally processed foods.
937-(5) "Eligible board of education" means a local or regional board of
938-education that is participating in the National School Lunch Program.
939-(6) "Eligible meal program" means a meal program provided by an
940-eligible board of education to its students or a meal provided as part of
941-such board's participation in the National School Lunch Program, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
942-
943-Public Act No. 23-167 29 of 95
944-
945-School Breakfast Program, Seamless Summer Option, After School
946-Snack Program, Summer Food Service Program or the At -Risk
947-Afterschool Meals component of the Child and Adult Care Food
948-Program administered by the United States Department of Agriculture.
949-(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year
950-thereafter, the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the
951-Department of Education, shall administer the local food for schools
952-incentive program. Such program shall provide reimbursement
953-payments to eligible boards of education for the purchase of locally
954-sourced food and regionally sourced food that may be used as part of
955-such board's participation in an eligible meal program. An eligible
956-board of education shall be entitled to receive reimbursement payments
957-in accordance with the guidelines developed pursuant to subsection (e)
958-of this section and in an amount equal to (1) one-half of such board's
959-expenditures for locally sourced foods, and (2) one-third of such board's
960-expenditures for regionally sourced foods.
961-(c) (1) The department shall receive requests from eligible boards of
962-education for reimbursement payments under the program in a manner
963-similar to how the department receives applications under section 10-
964-215b of the general statutes.
965-(2) Each eligible board of education shall (A) maintain a record of
966-such board's expenditures for all locally sourced food and regionally
967-sourced food, as well as documentation confirming the place of origin
968-of such food, as prescribed by the department, and (B) submit, upon
969-request of the department, such records and documentation to the
970-department for review.
971-(d) Any locally sourced food or regionally sourced food for which an
972-eligible board of education seeks reimbursement payments under this
973-section, shall comply with the nutrition standards established by the
974-department pursuant to section 10-215e of the general statutes. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
975-
976-Public Act No. 23-167 30 of 95
977-
978-(e) The department shall develop guidelines for the implementation
979-of the program. Such guidelines shall (1) establish a maximum
980-reimbursement amount based on total student enrollment for each
981-eligible board of education, (2) assist eligible boards of education in
982-participating in the program, and (3) promote geographic, social,
983-economic and racial equity, which may include a preference for socially
984-disadvantaged farmers, as defined in 7 USC 2279(a), as amended from
985-time to time, or small farm businesses.
986-(f) The department shall develop a survey to be distributed annually
987-to any eligible board of education that receives reimbursement
988-payments under this section. Such survey shall be designed to collect
989-information to assist the department in implementing and improving
990-the program.
991-(g) In addition to the reimbursement payments otherwise provided
992-pursuant to this section, the department may, within available
993-appropriations, provide supplemental grants to eligible boards of
994-education. Such supplemental grant funds may be expended for the
995-purpose of purchasing kitchen equipment, engaging with school
996-nutrition or farm-to-school consultants or training relating to the
997-processing, preparation and serving of locally sourced food and
998-regionally sourced food. In awarding supplemental grants under this
999-subsection, the department shall give priority to an eligible board of
1000-education for a town designated as an alliance district pursuant to
1001-section 10-262u of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
1002-(h) The department may accept gifts, grants and donations, including
1003-in-kind donations, for the administration of the local food for schools
1004-incentive program and to implement the provisions of this section.
1005-(i) Any unexpended funds appropriated for purposes of this section
1006-shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year but shall be available for
1007-expenditure during the next fiscal year. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1008-
1009-Public Act No. 23-167 31 of 95
1010-
1011-(j) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal year
1012-ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of
1013-reimbursement payments payable to eligible boards of education shall
1014-be reduced proportionately if the total of such reimbursement payments
1015-in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such reimbursement
1016-payments for such year.
1017-(k) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the
1018-department shall submit a report on the local food for schools incentive
1019-program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
1020-having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with
1021-the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes. Such report shall
1022-include, but need not be limited to, an accounting of the funds
1023-appropriated and received by the department for the program,
1024-descriptions of the reimbursement payments made under the program
1025-and an evaluation of the program.
1026-Sec. 27. Section 10-215l of the general statutes is repealed and the
1027-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
1028-(a) The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the advisory
1029-committee described in subsection (c) of this section, shall administer
1030-the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program. Such program shall assist
1031-local and regional boards of education to develop farm-to-school
1032-programs that will increase the availability of local foods in child
1033-nutrition programs, allow educators to use hands-on educational
1034-techniques to teach students about nutrition and farm-to-school
1035-connections, sustain relationships with local farmers and producers,
1036-enrich the educational experience of students, improve the health of
1037-children in the state and enhance the state's economy.
1038-(b) A local or regional board of education, regional educational
1039-service center, cooperative arrangement pursuant to section 10-158a,
1040-child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1041-
1042-Public Act No. 23-167 32 of 95
1043-
1044-as such terms are described in section 19a-77, or any organization or
1045-entity administering or assisting in the development of a farm-to-school
1046-program, may apply, in a form and manner prescribed by the
1047-department, for a grant under this section. Such grant shall be used to
1048-develop or implement a farm-to-school program, which may include (1)
1049-the purchase of equipment, resources or materials, including, but not
1050-limited to, local food products, gardening supplies, field trips to farms,
1051-gleaning on farms and stipends to visiting farmers, (2) the provision of
1052-professional development and skills training for educators, school
1053-nutrition professionals, parents, caregivers, child care providers and
1054-employees and volunteers of organizations administering or assisting in
1055-the development and implementation of farm-to-school programs, and
1056-(3) piloting new purchasing systems and programs.
1057-(c) The department shall convene an advisory committee to assist in
1058-the administration of the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant Program. The
1059-advisory committee shall consist of the Commissioner of Education, or
1060-the commissioner's designee, and individuals representing stakeholder
1061-groups that reflect the demographic and geographic diversity of the
1062-state, selected by the Commissioner of Agriculture. The advisory
1063-committee shall (1) assist the department in reviewing applications and
1064-awarding grants under this section, and (2) provide technical assistance
1065-to grant recipients in the development and implementation of farm-to-
1066-school programs.
1067-(d) In awarding grants under this section, the department shall (1)
1068-give priority to applicants (A) located in alliance districts, as defined in
1069-section 10-262u, as amended by this act, or who are providers of school
1070-readiness programs, as defined in section 10-16p, and (B) who
1071-demonstrate broad commitment from school administrators, school
1072-nutrition professionals, educators and community stakeholders, and (2)
1073-not award a grant that is in an amount greater than ten per cent of the
1074-total amount available for the fiscal year. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1075-
1076-Public Act No. 23-167 33 of 95
1077-
1078-(e) The department may accept gifts, grants and donations, including
1079-in-kind donations, for the administration of the CT Grown for CT Kids
1080-Grant Program and to implement the provisions of this section.
1081-(f) Not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the
1082-department shall submit a report on the CT Grown for CT Kids Grant
1083-Program to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly
1084-having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with
1085-the provisions of section 11-4a. Such report shall include, but need not
1086-be limited to, an accounting of the funds appropriated and received by
1087-the department for the program, descriptions of each grant awarded
1088-under the program and how such grant was expended by the recipient,
1089-and an evaluation of the program and the success of local farm-to-school
1090-programs that have received grant awards under this section.
1091-(g) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year
1092-thereafter, if the funds appropriated for the purposes of this section are
1093-not expended, the department shall use such unexpended funds to
1094-administer the local food for schools incentive program in accordance
1095-with the provisions of section 26 of this act.
1096-Sec. 28. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Any local or regional board
1097-of education may partner with one or more local employers that are in
1098-the aviation or aerospace industry to develop and provide an
1099-apprenticeship training program for students in the school district
1100-governed by such board. Such apprenticeship training program shall
1101-include, but need not be limited to, (1) on-site training in which students
1102-may learn immediate job skills and earn course credit, and (2) the
1103-provision of information to students concerning the programs of study
1104-offered at the CT Aero Tech School for Aviation Maintenance
1105-Technicians and assistance with the application for admission to said
1106-school.
1107-(b) Not later than sixty days after the first student cohort completes Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1108-
1109-Public Act No. 23-167 34 of 95
1110-
1111-an apprenticeship training program provided pursuant to subsection (a)
1112-of this section, and annually thereafter, the local or regional board of
1113-education that provides such program shall submit a report, in
1114-accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes,
1115-to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
1116-cognizance of matters relating to education. Such report shall include,
1117-but need not be limited to, the number of students who (1) participated
1118-in and completed such program, and (2) enrolled in the CT Aero Tech
1119-School for Aviation Maintenance Technicians after completing such
1120-program.
1121-Sec. 29. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than January 1,
1122-2024, the Commissioner of Education shall (1) in consultation with the
1123-School Paraeducator Advisory Council, established pursuant to section
1124-10-155k of the general statutes, develop a model program for
1125-paraeducator training for students in grades nine to twelve, inclusive,
1126-in which such students may be qualified to work as paraeducators upon
1127-graduation from high school, and (2) distribute such model program to
1128-each local and regional board of education.
1129-(b) A local or regional board of education may adopt the model
1130-program for paraeducator training developed pursuant to subsection (a)
1131-of this section for students in grades nine to twelve, inclusive. Not later
1132-than one year after adopting such program, and annually thereafter,
1133-such board of education shall submit a report, in accordance with the
1134-provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing
1135-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
1136-relating to education. Such report shall include, but not be limited to,
1137-the number of students who (1) participated and completed such
1138-program by grade, and (2) found employment as a paraeducator after
1139-graduation from high school.
1140-Sec. 30. Section 10-220d of the general statutes is repealed and the
1141-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023): Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1142-
1143-Public Act No. 23-167 35 of 95
1144-
1145-Each local and regional board of education shall provide full access
1146-to technical education and career schools, regional agricultural science
1147-and technology education centers, interdistrict magnet schools, charter
1148-schools and interdistrict student attendance programs for the
1149-recruitment of students attending the schools under the board's
1150-jurisdiction, provided such recruitment is not for the purpose of
1151-interscholastic athletic competition. Each local and regional board of
1152-education shall provide information relating to technical education and
1153-career schools, regional agricultural science and technology education
1154-centers, interdistrict magnet schools, charter schools, alternative high
1155-schools and interdistrict student attendance programs on the board's
1156-Internet web site. Each local and regional board of education shall
1157-annually distribute to students in middle school and require school
1158-counselors to provide [information] to students and parents of students
1159-in middle and high schools within such board's jurisdiction [of]
1160-information concerning the availability of (1) vocational, technical,
1161-technological and postsecondary education and training at technical
1162-education and career schools, and (2) agricultural science and
1163-technology education at regional agricultural science and technology
1164-education centers, and publish such information on the Internet web site
1165-of such board.
1166-Sec. 31. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) Not later than January 1,
1167-2024, the Department of Education shall, within available
1168-appropriations, establish a preapprenticeship grant program. The
1169-department shall award grants to any local or regional board of
1170-education that incorporates a preapprenticeship program in the
1171-curriculum for grades nine to twelve, inclusive, provided such
1172-preapprenticeship program (1) is registered with the Labor Department,
1173-and (2) meets any criteria established by the Department of Education.
1174-The Department of Education shall award a grant to such board of
1175-education in an amount not less than one thousand dollars for each
1176-student that completes the preapprenticeship program. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1177-
1178-Public Act No. 23-167 36 of 95
1179-
1180-(b) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the
1181-Department of Education shall submit a report, in accordance with the
1182-provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing
1183-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
1184-relating to education. Such report shall include, but need not be limited
1185-to, (1) the amount of grants awarded during the prior year, and (2) the
1186-types of preapprenticeship programs completed by students during the
1187-prior year.
1188-Sec. 32. (Effective July 1, 2023) Not later than January 1, 2024, the
1189-Department of Education, in partnership with local and regional boards
1190-of education, public institutions of higher education and independent
1191-institutions of higher education, as defined in section 10a-173 of the
1192-general statutes, shall, within the limits of available funding, expand
1193-opportunities for dual credit and dual enrollment for students in grades
1194-nine to twelve, inclusive, in the state in various subject areas, including,
1195-but not limited to, courses that are required to pursue health care
1196-occupations. The work to expand such opportunities shall include, but
1197-need not be limited to, (1) the creation of resources, such as an online
1198-inventory of dual credit and dual enrollment programs and model
1199-agreements to promote information sharing between boards of
1200-education and institutions of higher education, (2) support for
1201-curriculum development and professional development for teachers
1202-and faculty to create new career pathways for in-demand industries,
1203-such as health care, and (3) tuition assistance for students who enroll in
1204-dual credit and dual enrollment programs. Not later than January 1,
1205-2024, the Department of Education shall submit a report, in accordance
1206-with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint
1207-standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
1208-matters relating to education on the department's efforts to expand
1209-opportunities for dual credit and dual enrollment pursuant to this
1210-section. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1211-
1212-Public Act No. 23-167 37 of 95
1213-
1214-Sec. 33. (Effective from passage) The executive director of the Technical
1215-Education and Career System shall convene a working group to
1216-determine the feasibility, cost and plan for development of an aerospace
1217-advanced manufacturing high school. The members of the working
1218-group shall include, but need not be limited to, representatives of the
1219-Governor's Workforce Council and the Department of Economic and
1220-Community Development and business and community organizations
1221-related to the aerospace industry. The executive director shall appoint
1222-the members of the working group and shall serve as the chairperson.
1223-Not later than January 1, 2025, the executive director shall submit, in
1224-accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes,
1225-to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having
1226-cognizance of matters relating to education a report detailing the
1227-conclusions and recommendations of the working group.
1228-Sec. 34. Section 10-212 of the general statutes is repealed and the
1229-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
1230-(a) Each local or regional board of education shall appoint one or
1231-more school nurses or nurse practitioners. Such school nurses and nurse
1232-practitioners appointed by such boards shall be qualified pursuant to
1233-regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 by
1234-the State Board of Education in consultation with the Department of
1235-Public Health, except any school nurse or nurse practitioner appointed
1236-by or under contract with a local or regional board of education shall
1237-not be required to have at least the equivalent of one year full time
1238-working experience as a registered nurse during the five years
1239-immediately prior to appointment or employment as a school nurse or
1240-nurse practitioner. Such school nurses may also act as visiting nurses in
1241-the town, may visit the homes of pupils in the public schools and shall
1242-assist in executing the orders of the school medical advisor, if there is
1243-any in such town, and perform such other duties as are required by such
1244-board. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1245-
1246-Public Act No. 23-167 38 of 95
1247-
1248-(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any
1249-regulation of Connecticut state agencies, nothing in this section shall be
1250-construed to prohibit the administering of medications by parents or
1251-guardians to their own children on school grounds.
1252-(c) School nurses and nurse practitioners appointed by or under
1253-contract with any local or regional board of education and any nurse
1254-provided to a nonpublic school under the provisions of section 10-217a
1255-shall submit to a criminal history records check in accordance with the
1256-provisions of section 29-17a.
1257-(d) On and after July 1, 2024, each school nurse or nurse practitioner
1258-appointed by or under contract with a local or regional board of
1259-education shall complete at least fifteen hours of professional
1260-development programs or activities approved and provided by such
1261-local or regional board of education, in accordance with the provisions
1262-of section 35 of this act, in each two-year period, provided such
1263-professional development programs or activities include training and
1264-instruction in the implementation of individualized education
1265-programs and plans pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
1266-1973, as amended from time to time.
1267-Sec. 35. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) For the school year commencing
1268-July 1, 2024, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional
1269-board of education shall annually approve and provide professional
1270-development programs or activities for all school nurses and nurse
1271-practitioners appointed by or under contract with such board. Each
1272-board shall provide such professional development programs or
1273-activities related to training and instruction in the implementation of
1274-individualized education programs and plans pursuant to Section 504
1275-of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended from time to time, to any
1276-new school nurse or nurse practitioner not later than thirty days after
1277-such school nurse or nurse practitioner has been appointed by or
1278-entered into a contract with such board. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1279-
1280-Public Act No. 23-167 39 of 95
1281-
1282-Sec. 36. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established the Building
1283-Educational Responsibility with Greater Improvement Networks
1284-Commission. The commission shall study (1) issues relating to
1285-education funding entitled to local and regional boards of education,
1286-charter schools and operators of interdistrict magnet school programs
1287-under the provisions of section 10-262h of the general statutes, and
1288-section 10-66ee of the general statutes, (2) accountability measures for
1289-(A) alliance districts, (B) charter schools, and (C) interdistrict magnet
1290-school programs, (3) the adequacy of financial reporting by (A) local and
1291-regional boards of education, including financial reporting associated
1292-with participation in the state-wide interdistrict public school
1293-attendance program, established pursuant to section 10-266aa of the
1294-general statutes, (B) the governing councils of state and local charter
1295-schools and charter management organizations, and (C) operators of
1296-interdistrict magnet school programs, and (4) the financial impact of
1297-interdistrict magnet school programs, charter schools and the state-wide
1298-interdistrict public school attendance program on local and regional
1299-boards of education, including, but not limited to, equalization aid grant
1300-amounts, transportation costs, special education services and other
1301-general educational costs for children who reside in the school district
1302-but do not attend a school under the jurisdiction of the board of
1303-education for such school district.
1304-(b) (1) The portion of such study regarding issues relating to
1305-education funding entitled to local and regional boards of education,
1306-charter schools and interdistrict magnet schools shall include, but need
1307-not be limited to, an analysis of and recommendations relating to (A)
1308-the compensation, benefits, retention and recruitment of teachers,
1309-paraprofessionals and social workers, (B) restrictions on the use of any
1310-additional funds received pursuant to section 10-262h of the general
1311-statutes, (C) reporting requirements for school districts receiving
1312-additional funds provided under the provisions of section 10-262h of the
1313-general statutes, (D) optimal class sizes, and (E) the inclusion of special Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1314-
1315-Public Act No. 23-167 40 of 95
1316-
1317-education as a need factor in the equalization aid grant formula under
1318-section 10-262h of the general statutes.
1319-(2) The portion of such study regarding alliance districts shall
1320-include, but need not be limited to, (A) an analysis of the process by
1321-which alliance district plans are developed by boards of education and
1322-are reviewed and approved by the Commissioner of Education, and
1323-recommendations for narrowing the focus of or replacing such plans,
1324-(B) a consideration of the removal of the withholding of a portion of an
1325-alliance district's equalization aid grant under section 10-262u of the
1326-general statutes, as amended by this act, (C) the feasibility of creating
1327-independent financial audits of the expenditures under the entire
1328-budget of boards of education for alliance districts, (D) the feasibility of
1329-requiring boards of education for alliance districts to hold hearings on
1330-interventions and make annual evaluations of any new programming
1331-established in the school district, (E) a consideration of establishing
1332-guidelines for the hiring of nonclassroom personnel, and (F) a
1333-consideration of interventions that the Department of Education may
1334-take in regard to the operations of an alliance district.
1335-(3) The portion of such study regarding charter schools shall include,
1336-but need not be limited to, (A) the feasibility of allowing for a full grade
1337-expansion of existing charters, including grade expansion, (B) an
1338-examination of the impact of moratoriums on the granting of new
1339-charters, as well as the approval of new interdistrict magnet school
1340-programs, (C) a consideration of the duration of the length of a charter's
1341-validity, and (D) an examination of the charter renewal process,
1342-including the standards used by the State Board of Education during its
1343-determination of whether to renew a charter and the creation of an
1344-accountability scale.
1345-(4) The portion of such study regarding interdistrict magnet schools
1346-shall include, but need not be limited to, oversight policies for
1347-interdistrict magnet school programs operated by regional education Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1348-
1349-Public Act No. 23-167 41 of 95
1350-
1351-service centers relating to tuition increases, enrollment and funding
1352-caps.
1353-(c) The commission shall consist of the following members:
1354-(1) The speaker of the House of Representatives, or the speaker's
1355-designee;
1356-(2) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
1357-one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public
1358-School Superintendents and one of whom is a representative of the
1359-RESC Alliance;
1360-(3) The president pro tempore of the Senate, or the president pro
1361-tempore's designee;
1362-(4) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of
1363-whom is a representative of Special Education Equity for Kids and one
1364-of whom is a representative of the Center for Children's Advocacy;
1365-(5) Three appointed by the majority leader of the House of
1366-Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut
1367-School Counselor Association, one of whom is a representative of the
1368-Connecticut Education Association and one of whom is a representative
1369-of the Connecticut Voices for Children;
1370-(6) Three appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom
1371-is a representative of the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut,
1372-one of whom is a representative of ConnCAN and one of whom is a
1373-representative of the School and State Finance Project;
1374-(7) Three appointed by the minority leader of the House of
1375-Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut
1376-Association of School Administrators and one of whom is a
1377-representative of the Connecticut Association of School Business Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1378-
1379-Public Act No. 23-167 42 of 95
1380-
1381-Officials, and one of whom is a member of a local or regional board of
1382-education for an alliance district, in consultation with the Connecticut
1383-Association of Boards of Education;
1384-(8) Three appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one of
1385-whom is a representative of the Connecticut Charter School Association,
1386-one of whom is the executive director of an agricultural science and
1387-technology education center and one of whom is a representative of the
1388-Connecticut Council of Administrators of Special Education;
1389-(9) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
1390-and
1391-(10) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the
1392-secretary's designee.
1393-(d) All initial appointments to the commission shall be made not later
1394-than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall
1395-be filled by the appointing authority.
1396-(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro
1397-tempore of the Senate, or their designees, shall serve as the chairpersons
1398-of the commission and shall schedule the first meeting of the
1399-commission, which shall be held not later than sixty days after the
1400-effective date of this section.
1401-(f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
1402-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education
1403-shall serve as administrative staff of the commission.
1404-(g) (1) Not later than February 1, 2024, the commission shall submit a
1405-report on the portion of the study described in subdivision (1) of
1406-subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with the provisions of
1407-section 11-4a of the general statutes, on its findings and
1408-recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1409-
1410-Public Act No. 23-167 43 of 95
1411-
1412-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and
1413-appropriations.
1414-(2) Not later than January 15, 2025, the commission shall submit a
1415-report on the portion of the study described in subdivisions (2) and (3)
1416-of subsection (b) of this section, in accordance with the provisions of
1417-section 11-4a of the general statutes, on its findings and
1418-recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General
1419-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education.
1420-(3) The commission shall terminate on the date that it submits the last
1421-of such reports or July 1, 2025, whichever is later.
1422-Sec. 37. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) Not later than May twentieth of
1423-each school year, each local and regional board of education, operator
1424-of an interdistrict magnet school program and governing council of a
1425-state or local charter school shall annually submit to the Department of
1426-Education the number of students enrolled as of April first of such
1427-school year for such board, operator or governing council. In the case of
1428-a local or regional board of education that (1) is a sending district or
1429-receiving district, as those terms are defined in section 10-266aa of the
1430-general statutes, as amended by this act, under the state-wide
1431-interdistrict public school attendance program, (2) is an operator of an
1432-interdistrict magnet school program, or (3) operates an agricultural
1433-science and technology educator center, such board shall annually
1434-submit to the department the number of students participating in such
1435-program as of April first of such school year, separately for in-district
1436-and out-of-district students.
1437-Sec. 38. Section 10-262u of the general statutes is repealed and the
1438-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1439-(a) As used in this section and section 10-262i:
1440-(1) ["Alliance district"] "Educational reform district" means a school Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1441-
1442-Public Act No. 23-167 44 of 95
1443-
1444-district for a town that [(A)] is among the towns with the [thirty-three]
1445-twenty lowest accountability index scores, as calculated by the
1446-Department of Education. [, or (B) was previously designated as an
1447-alliance district by the Commissioner of Education for the fiscal years
1448-ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2022, inclusive.]
1449-(2) "Legacy alliance district" means a school district for a town that
1450-was designated as an alliance district by the Commissioner of Education
1451-for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2024, inclusive.
1452-[(2)] (3) "Accountability index" has the same meaning as provided in
1453-section 10-223e.
1454-[(3)] (4) "Mastery test data of record" has the same meaning as
1455-provided in section 10-262f, as amended by this act.
1456-[(4) "Educational reform district" means an alliance district that is
1457-among the ten lowest accountability index scores when all towns are
1458-ranked highest to lowest in accountability index scores.]
1459-(b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, the Commissioner of
1460-Education shall designate thirty school districts as alliance reform
1461-districts. Any school district designated as an alliance district shall be so
1462-designated for a period of five years. On or before June 30, 2016, the
1463-Department of Education shall determine if there are any additional
1464-alliance districts.
1465-(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the commissioner shall
1466-designate thirty-three school districts as alliance districts. Any school
1467-district designated as an alliance district shall be so designated for a
1468-period of five years.
1469-(3) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the commissioner shall
1470-designate thirty-six school districts as alliance districts. Any school
1471-district designated as an alliance district shall be so designated for a Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1472-
1473-Public Act No. 23-167 45 of 95
1474-
1475-period of [five] two years.
1476-(4) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the commissioner shall
1477-designate twenty school districts as educational reform districts. Any
1478-school district designated as an educational reform district shall be so
1479-designated for a period of two years.
1480-(c) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2023, and each fiscal year
1481-thereafter, the Comptroller shall withhold from any town that (A) was
1482-designated as an alliance district pursuant to subdivision (2) of
1483-subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds received over the
1484-amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012,
1485-pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, and (B) was designated as
1486-an alliance district for the first time pursuant to subdivision (3) of
1487-subsection (b) of this section, any increase in funds received over the
1488-amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022,
1489-pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i.] 2025, and each fiscal year
1490-thereafter, the Comptroller shall withhold from any town that was
1491-designated as an educational reform district pursuant to subdivision (4)
1492-of subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds received over the
1493-amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012,
1494-pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i. The Comptroller shall
1495-transfer such funds to the Commissioner of Education.
1496-(2) Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subsection (d) of this
1497-section or section 10-156gg, as amended by this act, the Commissioner
1498-of Education may pay such funds to the town designated as an [alliance]
1499-educational reform district and such town shall pay all such funds to the
1500-local or regional board of education for such town on the condition that
1501-such funds shall be expended in accordance with (A) the improvement
1502-plan described in subsection (d) of this section, (B) the minority
1503-candidate certification, retention or residency year program pursuant to
1504-section 10-156gg, as amended by this act, (C) the family resource center
1505-program, pursuant to section 10-4o, to establish a family resource center Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1506-
1507-Public Act No. 23-167 46 of 95
1508-
1509-in each elementary school under the jurisdiction of such board, (D) the
1510-provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-262i, and [(D)] (E) any
1511-guidelines developed by the State Board of Education for such funds.
1512-Such funds shall be used to improve student achievement and recruit
1513-and retain minority teachers in such [alliance] educational reform
1514-district and to offset any other local education costs approved by the
1515-commissioner.
1516-(d) The local or regional board of education for a town designated as
1517-an [alliance] educational reform district may apply to the Commissioner
1518-of Education, at such time and in such manner as the commissioner
1519-prescribes, to receive any increase in funds received over the amount
1520-the town received for the prior fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a) of
1521-section 10-262i. Applications pursuant to this subsection shall include
1522-objectives and performance targets and [a] an improvement plan that
1523-are developed, in part, on the strategic use of student academic
1524-performance data. Such improvement plan may include, but not be
1525-limited to, the following: (1) A tiered system of interventions for the
1526-schools under the jurisdiction of such board based on the needs of such
1527-schools, (2) ways to strengthen the foundational programs in reading,
1528-through the intensive reading instruction program pursuant to section
1529-10-14u, as amended by this act, to ensure reading mastery in
1530-kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, with a focus on standards and
1531-instruction, proper use of data, intervention strategies, current
1532-information for teachers, parental engagement, and teacher professional
1533-development, (3) additional learning time, including extended school
1534-day or school year programming administered by school personnel or
1535-external partners, (4) a talent strategy that includes, but is not limited to,
1536-teacher and school leader recruitment and assignment, career ladder
1537-policies that draw upon guidelines for a model teacher evaluation
1538-program adopted by the State Board of Education, pursuant to section
1539-10-151b, and adopted by each local or regional board of education. Such
1540-talent strategy may include provisions that demonstrate increased Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1541-
1542-Public Act No. 23-167 47 of 95
1543-
1544-ability to attract, retain, promote and bolster the performance of staff in
1545-accordance with performance evaluation findings and, in the case of
1546-new personnel, other indicators of effectiveness, (5) training for school
1547-leaders and other staff on new teacher evaluation models, (6) provisions
1548-for the cooperation and coordination with early childhood education
1549-providers to ensure alignment with district expectations for student
1550-entry into kindergarten, including funding for an existing local Head
1551-Start program, (7) provisions for the cooperation and coordination with
1552-other governmental and community programs to ensure that students
1553-receive adequate support and wraparound services, including
1554-community school models, (8) provisions for implementing and
1555-furthering state-wide education standards adopted by the State Board
1556-of Education and all activities and initiatives associated with such
1557-standards, (9) strategies for attracting and recruiting minority teachers
1558-and administrators, (10) provisions for the enhancement of bilingual
1559-education programs, pursuant to section 10-17f, or other language
1560-acquisition services to English language learners, including, but not
1561-limited to, participation in the English language learner pilot program,
1562-established pursuant to section 10-17n, (11) entering into the model
1563-school district responsibilities agreement, described in section 10-223l,
1564-(12) leadership succession plans that provide training and learning
1565-opportunities for administrators and are designed to assist in the
1566-seamless transition of school and district personnel in and out of
1567-leadership positions in the school district and the continuous
1568-implementation of improvement plans developed under this
1569-subsection, (13) implementing the policy adopted pursuant to section
1570-10-223m to improve completion rates of the Free Application for Federal
1571-Student Aid by students enrolled in grade twelve in a high school under
1572-the jurisdiction of such board or students enrolled in an adult education
1573-program maintained by such board pursuant to section 10-69, and, as
1574-applicable, the parent and guardians of such students, and (14) any
1575-additional categories or goals as determined by the commissioner. Such
1576-improvement plan shall demonstrate collaboration with key Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1577-
1578-Public Act No. 23-167 48 of 95
1579-
1580-stakeholders, as identified by the commissioner, with the goal of
1581-achieving efficiencies and the alignment of intent and practice of current
1582-programs with conditional programs identified in this subsection. The
1583-commissioner may (A) require changes in any improvement plan
1584-submitted by a local or regional board of education before the
1585-commissioner approves an application under this subsection, and (B)
1586-permit a local or regional board of education, as part of such
1587-improvement plan, to use a portion of any funds received under this
1588-section for the purposes of paying tuition charged to such board
1589-pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 10-264l or
1590-subsection (b) of section 10-264o. Each such local and regional board of
1591-education shall annually submit such improvement plan to the
1592-department.
1593-(e) The State Board of Education may develop guidelines and criteria
1594-for the administration of such funds under this section.
1595-(f) The commissioner may withhold such funds if the local or regional
1596-board of education fails to comply with the provisions of this section.
1597-The commissioner may renew such funding if the local or regional
1598-board of education provides evidence that the school district of such
1599-board is achieving the objectives and performance targets approved by
1600-the commissioner stated in the improvement plan submitted under this
1601-section.
1602-(g) Any local or regional board of education receiving funding under
1603-this section shall submit an annual expenditure report to the
1604-commissioner on such form and in such manner as requested by the
1605-commissioner. The commissioner shall determine if (1) the local or
1606-regional board of education shall repay any funds not expended in
1607-accordance with the approved application, or (2) such funding should
1608-be reduced in a subsequent fiscal year up to an amount equal to the
1609-amount that the commissioner determines is out of compliance with the
1610-provisions of this subsection. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1611-
1612-Public Act No. 23-167 49 of 95
1613-
1614-(h) Any balance remaining for each local or regional board of
1615-education at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward for such
1616-local or regional board of education for the next fiscal year.
1617-(i) The local or regional board of education of a school district for a
1618-town that is among the fifty towns with the lowest accountability index
1619-scores, as calculated by the Department of Education, but has not been
1620-designated as an educational reform district by the Commissioner of
1621-Education, may request technical assistance or other specialized
1622-interventions from the department for the provision of academic
1623-support services to students.
1624-Sec. 39. Subdivision (2) of section 10-262f of the general statutes is
1625-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
1626-2024):
1627-(2) "Base aid ratio" means for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and
1628-each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of (A) one minus the town's wealth
1629-adjustment factor, and (B) the town's base aid ratio adjustment factor, if
1630-any, except that a town's base aid ratio shall not be less than (i) ten per
1631-cent for a town designated as an educational reform district or a legacy
1632-alliance district, as those terms are defined in section 10-262u, as
1633-amended by this act, or a priority school district, as described in section
1634-10-266p, and (ii) one per cent for a town that is not designated as an
1635-alliance district or a priority school district.
1636-Sec. 40. Subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of section 12-18b of the
1637-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1638-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1639-(3) Each [municipality] (A) town designated as an educational reform
1640-district or a legacy alliance district pursuant to section 10-262u, as
1641-amended by this act, or (B) municipality in which more than fifty per
1642-cent of the property is state-owned real property shall be classified as a Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1643-
1644-Public Act No. 23-167 50 of 95
1645-
1646-tier one municipality.
1647-Sec. 41. Subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of section 10-156gg of the
1648-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1649-thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
1650-(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2023, and each fiscal year
1651-thereafter] 2024, the Commissioner of Education shall withhold from an
1652-alliance district, from the funds transferred by the Comptroller pursuant
1653-to subsection (c) of section 10-262u, as amended by this act, ten per cent
1654-of any increase in such funds that such alliance district [receives]
1655-received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, over the amount of such
1656-funds that it received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. The
1657-department shall use such funds to make a payment to such alliance
1658-district and such alliance district shall expend such payment for any of
1659-the costs described in subsection (e) of this section.
1660-Sec. 42. Section 370 of public act 22-118 is repealed and the following
1661-is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
1662-(a) There is established a working group to study and make
1663-recommendations related to indoor air quality within school buildings.
1664-Such recommendations shall include, but need not be limited to:
1665-(1) The optimal humidity and temperature ranges to ensure healthy
1666-air and promote student learning;
1667-(2) Threshold school air quality emergency conditions warranting
1668-temporary school closures based on the presence of insufficient heat, an
1669-excessive combination of indoor temperature and humidity levels, or
1670-some other thresholds;
1671-(3) Criteria for rating the priority of heating, ventilation and air
1672-conditioning repair and remediation needs, including the public health
1673-condition and needs of the students attending a school; Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1674-
1675-Public Act No. 23-167 51 of 95
1676-
1677-(4) Optimal heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
1678-performance benchmarks for minimizing the spread of infectious
1679-disease;
1680-(5) Protocols to be used by school districts to receive, investigate and
1681-address complaints or evidence of mold, pest infestation, hazardous
1682-odors or chemicals and poor indoor air-quality;
1683-(6) The frequency with which local and regional boards of education
1684-should be providing for a uniform inspection and evaluation program
1685-of the indoor air quality within school buildings, such as the
1686-Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality Tools for
1687-Schools Program, and whether such program should be provided for at
1688-all schools or only at those constructed before or after a certain date;
1689-(7) Best practices for the proper maintenance of heating, ventilation
1690-and air conditions systems in school buildings, including the frequency
1691-and scope of such maintenance;
1692-(8) A system of equitable distribution of funds, based on need, under
1693-the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system grant program
1694-pursuant to section 10-265r of the general statutes;
1695-(9) Ways to make the reports and results of the uniform inspections
1696-and evaluations of the indoor air quality and heating, ventilation and
1697-air conditioning systems of school buildings, conducted pursuant to
1698-section 10-220 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, accessible
1699-and searchable;
1700-[(8)] (10) Any other criteria affecting school indoor air quality; and
1701-[(9)] (11) Proposals for legislation to carry out any of the
1702-recommendations of the working group.
1703-(b) The working group shall consist of the following members: Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1704-
1705-Public Act No. 23-167 52 of 95
1706-
1707-(1) Three appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one
1708-of whom is a representative of ConnectiCOSH, one of whom is a
1709-representative of the Associated Sheet Metal and Roofing Contractors of
1710-Connecticut, and one of whom is a member of the Senate;
1711-(2) Three appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
1712-one of whom is a specialist in the field of children's health, one of whom
1713-[shall] is a representative of the Connecticut State Building Trades
1714-Council, and one of whom is a member of the House of Representatives;
1715-(3) Two appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom
1716-is a representative of the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut
1717-and one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Association of
1718-Public School Superintendents;
1719-(4) Two appointed by the majority leader of the House of
1720-Representatives, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut
1721-Education Association and one of whom is a representative of the
1722-Connecticut Association of Boards of Education;
1723-(5) Two appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one of whom
1724-is a specialist in the field of medicine on respiratory health and one of
1725-whom is a representative of the Council of Small Towns;
1726-(6) Two appointed by the minority leader of the House, one of whom
1727-is an industrial hygienist and one of whom is a representative of the
1728-Mechanical Contractors of Connecticut;
1729-(7) Two appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a school nurse
1730-and one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Conference of
1731-Municipalities;
1732-(8) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the
1733-Secretary's designee; Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1734-
1735-Public Act No. 23-167 53 of 95
1736-
1737-(9) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
1738-(10) The Commissioner of Administrative Services, or the
1739-commissioner's designee;
1740-(11) The Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;
1741-(12) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's
1742-designee;
1743-(13) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, or the
1744-commissioner's designee; and
1745-(14) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, or
1746-the commissioner's designee.
1747-(c) All appointments to the working group shall be made not later
1748-than sixty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall
1749-be filled by the appointing authority.
1750-(d) The member of the Senate appointed by the president pro
1751-tempore of the Senate pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of
1752-this section and the member of the House of [Representative]
1753-Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of
1754-Representatives pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this
1755-section shall serve as the chairpersons of the working group. Such
1756-chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the working group,
1757-which shall be held not later than sixty days after the effective date of
1758-this section.
1759-(e) Not later than [January 4, 2023] July 1, 2024, the working group
1760-shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the
1761-Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly
1762-having cognizance of matters relating to education, labor and public
1763-health, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1764-
1765-Public Act No. 23-167 54 of 95
1766-
1767-statutes. The working group shall terminate on [January 4, 2023] July 1,
1768-2024, or on the submission of the report, whichever is later.
1769-Sec. 43. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) The Department of
1770-Administrative Services shall develop a standard school building
1771-indoor air quality reporting form to be used by local and regional boards
1772-of education when conducting a uniform inspection and evaluation
1773-program of the indoor air quality within a school building pursuant to
1774-subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 10-220 of the general statutes,
1775-as amended by this act. The department shall make such form available
1776-on its Internet web site.
1777-(b) The department shall develop a standard school building heating,
1778-ventilation and air conditioning system reporting form to be used by
1779-local and regional boards of education when conducting a uniform
1780-inspection and evaluation of the heating, ventilation and air
1781-conditioning system within a school building pursuant to subdivision
1782-(3) of subsection (d) of section 10-220 of the general statutes, as amended
1783-by this act. The department shall make such form available on its
1784-Internet web site.
1785-(c) The department may consult with representatives from the indoor
1786-air quality and heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry to
1787-develop the standard reporting forms described in this section.
1788-Sec. 44. Subsection (d) of section 10-220 of the general statutes is
1789-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
1790-2023):
1791-(d) (1) As used in this subsection:
1792-(A) "Certified testing, adjusting and balancing technician" means a
1793-technician certified to perform testing, adjusting and balancing of
1794-heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems by the Associated Air
1795-Balance Council, the National Environmental Balancing Bureau or the Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1796-
1797-Public Act No. 23-167 55 of 95
1798-
1799-Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau, or an individual training
1800-under the supervision of a Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau
1801-certified technician or a person certified to perform ventilation
1802-assessments of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
1803-through a certification body accredited by the American National
1804-Standards Institute;
1805-(B) "Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system" means the
1806-equipment, distribution network, controls and terminals that provide,
1807-either collectively or individually, heating, ventilation or air
1808-conditioning to a building; and
1809-(C) "Indoor air quality" has the same meaning as used by the United
1810-States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health
1811-Administration Standard Number 1910.1000 "OSHA Policy on Indoor
1812-Air Quality".
1813-(2) [Prior to January 1, 2008, and every three years thereafter, for
1814-every school building that is or has been constructed, extended,
1815-renovated or replaced on or after January 1, 2003] On and after January
1816-1, 2024, and annually thereafter, a local or regional board of education
1817-shall provide for a uniform inspection and evaluation program of the
1818-indoor air quality within [such buildings, such as] each school building
1819-using the Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality Tools
1820-for Schools Program. The inspection and evaluation program shall
1821-include, but not be limited to, a review, inspection or evaluation of the
1822-following: (A) The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; (B)
1823-radon levels in the air; (C) potential for exposure to microbiological
1824-airborne particles, including, but not limited to, fungi, mold and
1825-bacteria; (D) chemical compounds of concern to indoor air quality
1826-including, but not limited to, volatile organic compounds; (E) the degree
1827-of pest infestation, including, but not limited to, insects and rodents; (F)
1828-the degree of pesticide usage; (G) the presence of and the plans for
1829-removal of any hazardous substances that are contained on the list Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1830-
1831-Public Act No. 23-167 56 of 95
1832-
1833-prepared pursuant to Section 302 of the federal Emergency Planning
1834-and Community Right-to-Know Act, 42 USC 9601 et seq.; (H) ventilation
1835-systems; (I) plumbing, including water distribution systems, drainage
1836-systems and fixtures; (J) moisture incursion; (K) the overall cleanliness
1837-of the facilities; (L) building structural elements, including, but not
1838-limited to, roofing, basements or slabs; (M) the use of space, particularly
1839-areas that were designed to be unoccupied; and (N) the provision of
1840-indoor air quality maintenance training for building staff. Local and
1841-regional boards of education conducting evaluations pursuant to this
1842-subsection shall (i) make available for public inspection the results of the
1843-inspection and evaluation at a regularly scheduled board of education
1844-meeting and on the [board's or each individual school's web site]
1845-Internet web site of such board and on the Internet web site, if any, of
1846-each individual school, and (ii) submit the report and results of such
1847-inspection and evaluation to the Department of Administrative Services
1848-using the form developed pursuant to section 43 of this act.
1849-(3) Prior to January 1, [2024] 2025, and every five years thereafter, a
1850-local or regional board of education shall provide for a uniform
1851-inspection and evaluation of the heating, ventilation and air
1852-conditioning system within each school building under its jurisdiction.
1853-Such inspection and evaluation shall be performed by a certified testing,
1854-adjusting and balancing technician, an industrial hygienist certified by
1855-the American Board of Industrial Hygiene or the Board for Global EHS
1856-Credentialing, or a mechanical engineer. Such heating, ventilation and
1857-air conditioning systems inspection and evaluation shall include, but
1858-need not be limited to: (A) Testing for maximum filter efficiency, (B)
1859-physical measurements of outside air delivery rate, (C) verification of
1860-the appropriate condition and operation of ventilation components, (D)
1861-measurement of air distribution through all system inlets and outlets,
1862-(E) verification of unit operation and that required maintenance has
1863-been performed in accordance with the most recent indoor ventilation
1864-standards promulgated by the American Society of Heating, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1865-
1866-Public Act No. 23-167 57 of 95
1867-
1868-Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, (F) verification of control
1869-sequences, (G) verification of carbon dioxide sensors and acceptable
1870-carbon dioxide concentrations indoors, and (H) collection of field data
1871-for the installation of mechanical ventilation if none exist. The
1872-ventilation systems inspection and evaluation shall identify to what
1873-extent each school's current ventilation system components, including
1874-any existing central or noncentral mechanical ventilation system, are
1875-operating in such a manner as to provide appropriate ventilation to the
1876-school building in accordance with most recent indoor ventilation
1877-standards promulgated by the American Society of Heating,
1878-Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. The inspection and
1879-evaluation shall result in a written report, and such report shall include
1880-any corrective actions necessary to be performed to the mechanical
1881-ventilation system or the heating, ventilation and air conditioning
1882-infrastructure, including installation of filters meeting the most optimal
1883-level of filtration available for a given heating, ventilation and air
1884-conditioning system, installation of carbon dioxide sensors and
1885-additional maintenance, repairs, upgrades or replacement. Any such
1886-corrective actions shall be performed, where appropriate, by a
1887-contractor, who is licensed in accordance with chapter 393. Any local or
1888-regional board of education conducting an inspection and evaluations
1889-pursuant to this subsection shall (i) make available for public inspection
1890-the results of such inspection and evaluation at a regularly scheduled
1891-meeting of such board and on the Internet web site of such board and
1892-on the Internet web site, if any, of each individual school, and (ii) submit
1893-the report and results of such inspection and evaluation to the
1894-Department of Administrative Services using the form developed
1895-pursuant to section 43 of this act. A local or regional board of education
1896-shall not be required to provide for a uniform inspection and evaluation
1897-under this subdivision for any school building that will cease to be used
1898-as a school building within the three years from when such inspection
1899-and evaluation is to be performed. Any local or regional board of
1900-education that has provided for an inspection that was performed in a Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1901-
1902-Public Act No. 23-167 58 of 95
1903-
1904-different format, but is deemed equivalent by the department, may use
1905-such inspection in lieu of a uniform inspection and evaluation under this
1906-subdivision. The Department of Administrative Services may, upon
1907-request of a local or regional board of education, grant a waiver of the
1908-January 1, 2025, deadline for the provision of a uniform inspection and
1909-evaluation under this subdivision if the department finds that (I) there
1910-is an insufficient number of certified testing, adjusting and balancing
1911-technicians, industrial hygienists certified by the American Board of
1912-Industrial Hygiene or the Board for Global EHS Credentialing or
1913-mechanical engineers to perform such inspection and evaluation, or (II)
1914-such board has scheduled such inspection and evaluation for a date after
1915-January 1, 2025. Such waiver shall be valid for one year.
1916-Sec. 45. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) On or before July 1, 2024, the
1917-Commissioner of Public Health shall develop guidelines regarding the
1918-establishment of an optimal thermal comfort range of sixty-five to
1919-eighty degrees Fahrenheit for school buildings and facilities, except that
1920-gymnasiums and natatoriums may have a larger optimal thermal
1921-comfort range.
1922-Sec. 46. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) As used in this section:
1923-(1) "Alliance district" has the same meaning as provided in section 10-
1924-262u of the general statutes, as amended by this act;
1925-(2) "Private entity" means any individual, corporation, general
1926-partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint
1927-venture, nonprofit organization or other business entity;
1928-(3) "Public-private partnership" means the relationship established
1929-between the local or regional board of education for a town designated
1930-as an alliance district, a community college and a private entity for the
1931-purpose of implementing a pathways in technology early college high
1932-school program; and Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1933-
1934-Public Act No. 23-167 59 of 95
1935-
1936-(4) "Pathways in technology early college high school program"
1937-means a program of instruction in which students in grades nine to
1938-twelve, inclusive, complete high school and college-level coursework
1939-while simultaneously engaging in industry-guided workforce
1940-development.
1941-(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year
1942-thereafter, the Department of Education shall annually issue a request
1943-for proposals to local and regional boards of education for towns
1944-designated as alliance districts for the establishment of a new public-
1945-private partnership or the enhancement of an existing pathways in
1946-technology early college high school program. The department shall
1947-review such proposals and award a grant to two such boards for the
1948-costs associated with the establishment of a new public-private
1949-partnership or enhancement of a pathways in technology early college
1950-high school program.
1951-Sec. 47. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) As used in this section, sections
1952-48 to 55, inclusive, of this act and sections 71 and 74 of this act:
1953-(1) "School climate" means the quality and character of the school life,
1954-with a particular focus on the quality of the relationships within the
1955-school community, and which is based on patterns of people's
1956-experiences of school life and that reflects the norms, goals, values,
1957-interpersonal relationships, teaching, learning, leadership practices and
1958-organizational structures within the school community.
1959-(2) "Social and emotional learning" means the process through which
1960-children and adults achieve emotional intelligence through the
1961-competencies of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness,
1962-relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
1963-(3) "Emotional intelligence" means the ability to (A) perceive,
1964-recognize and understand emotions in oneself or others, (B) use Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1965-
1966-Public Act No. 23-167 60 of 95
1967-
1968-emotions to facilitate cognitive activities, including, but not limited to,
1969-reasoning, problem solving and interpersonal communication, (C)
1970-understand and identify emotions, and (D) manage emotions in oneself
1971-and others.
1972-(4) "Bullying" means unwanted and aggressive behavior among
1973-children in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, that involves a real
1974-or perceived power imbalance.
1975-(5) "School environment" means a school-sponsored or school-related
1976-activity, function or program, whether on or off school grounds,
1977-including at a school bus stop or on a school bus or other vehicle owned,
1978-leased or used by a local or regional board of education, and may
1979-include other activities, functions or programs that occur outside of a
1980-school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program if
1981-bullying at or during such other activities, functions or programs
1982-negatively impacts the school environment.
1983-(6) "Cyberbullying" means any act of bullying through the use of the
1984-Internet, interactive and digital technologies, cellular mobile telephone
1985-or other mobile electronic devices or any other electro nic
1986-communication.
1987-(7) "Teen dating violence" means any act of physical, emotional or
1988-sexual abuse, including stalking, harassing and threatening, that occurs
1989-between two students who are currently in or who have recently been
1990-in a dating relationship.
1991-(8) "Mobile electronic device" means any hand-held or other portable
1992-electronic equipment capable of providing data communication
1993-between two or more individuals, including, but not limited to, a text
1994-messaging device, a paging device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop
1995-computer, equipment that is capable of playing a video game or a digital
1996-video disk or equipment on which digital images are taken or Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
1997-
1998-Public Act No. 23-167 61 of 95
1999-
2000-transmitted.
2001-(9) "Electronic communication" means any transfer of signs, signals,
2002-writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted
2003-in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photoelectronic or
2004-photo-optical system.
2005-(10) "School climate improvement plan" means a building-specific
2006-plan developed by the school climate committee, in collaboration with
2007-the school climate specialist, using school climate survey data and any
2008-other relevant information, through a process that engages all members
2009-of the school community and involves such members in a series of
2010-overlapping systemic improvements, school-wide instructional
2011-practices and relational practices that prevent, identify and respond to
2012-challenging behavior, including, but not limited to alleged bullying and
2013-harassment in the school environment.
2014-(11) "Restorative practices" means evidence and research-based
2015-system-level practices that focus on (A) building high-quality,
2016-constructive relationships among the school community, (B) holding
2017-each student accountable for any challenging behavior, and (C)
2018-ensuring each such student has a role in repairing relationships and
2019-reintegrating into the school community.
2020-(12) "School climate survey" means a research-based, validated and
2021-developmentally appropriate survey administered to students, school
2022-employees and families of students, in the predominant languages of
2023-the members of the school community, that measures and identifies
2024-school climate needs and tracks progress through a school climate
2025-improvement plan.
2026-(13) "Connecticut school climate policy" means the school climate
2027-policy developed, updated and approved by an association in the state
2028-that represents boards of education and adopted by the Social and Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2029-
2030-Public Act No. 23-167 62 of 95
2031-
2032-Emotional Learning and School Climate Advisory Collaborative,
2033-established pursuant to section 10-222q of the general statutes, as
2034-amended by this act, that provides a framework for an effective and
2035-democratically informed school climate improvement process that
2036-serves to implement Connecticut school climate standards, and includes
2037-a continuous cycle of (A) planning and preparation, (B) evaluation, (C)
2038-action planning, and (D) implementation.
2039-(14) "School employee" means (A) a teacher, substitute teacher,
2040-administrator, school superintendent, school counselor, school
2041-psychologist, social worker, school nurse, physician, paraeducator or
2042-coach employed by a local or regional board of education, or (B) any
2043-other individual who, in the performance of his or her duties, has
2044-regular contact with students and who provides services to or on behalf
2045-of students enrolled in a public school, pursuant to a contract with a
2046-local or regional board of education.
2047-(15) "School community" means any individuals, groups, businesses,
2048-public institutions and nonprofit organizations that are invested in the
2049-welfare and vitality of a public school system and the community in
2050-which it is located, including, but not limited to, students and their
2051-families, members of the local or regional board of education, volunteers
2052-at a school and school employees.
2053-(16) "Challenging behavior" means behavior that negatively impacts
2054-school climate or interferes, or is at risk of interfering, with the learning
2055-or safety of a student or the safety of a school employee.
2056-Sec. 48. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) The Social and Emotional
2057-Learning and School Climate Advisory Collaborative, established
2058-pursuant to section 10-222q of the general statutes, as amended by this
2059-act, shall convene a subcommittee of said collaborative to (1) not later
2060-than February 1, 2024, develop Connecticut school climate standards
2061-based on nationally recognized school climate research and best Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2062-
2063-Public Act No. 23-167 63 of 95
2064-
2065-practices, (2) create a uniform bullying complaint form to be included
2066-by the Department of Education on its Internet web site and by local and
2067-regional boards of education on each board's Internet web site and in
2068-each board's student handbooks, and (3) provide guidance to local and
2069-regional boards of education on the implementation of the Connecticut
2070-school climate policy.
2071-Sec. 49. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) For the school years
2072-commencing July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, each local and regional board
2073-of education may adopt and implement the Connecticut school climate
2074-policy in accordance with the provisions of sections 47 to 55, inclusive,
2075-of this act, in lieu of implementing the provisions of sections 10-222d,
2076-10-222g to 10-222i, inclusive, 10-222k and 10-222p of the general statutes.
2077-(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2025, and each school year
2078-thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall adopt and
2079-implement the Connecticut school climate policy in accordance with the
2080-provisions of sections 47 to 55, inclusive, of this act.
2081-Sec. 50. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) For the school year commencing
2082-July 1, 2025, and each school year thereafter, the superintendent of
2083-schools for each school district, or an administrator appointed by the
2084-superintendent, shall serve as the school climate coordinator for the
2085-school district. The school climate coordinator shall be responsible for
2086-(1) providing district-level leadership and support for the
2087-implementation of the school climate improvement plan for each school,
2088-developed pursuant to section 54 of this act, (2) collaborating with the
2089-school climate specialist, as described in section 51 of this act, for each
2090-school to (A) develop a continuum of strategies to prevent, identify and
2091-respond to challenging behavior, including, but not limited to, alleged
2092-bullying and harassment in the school environment, and (B)
2093-communicate such strategies to the school community, including, but
2094-not limited to, through publication the district student handbook, (3)
2095-collecting and maintaining data regarding school climate improvement, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2096-
2097-Public Act No. 23-167 64 of 95
2098-
2099-including, but not limited to, school discipline records, school climate
2100-assessments, attendance rates, social and emotional learning
2101-assessments, academic growth data, types of bullying complaints
2102-submitted by members of the school community, types of challenging
2103-behavior addressed using the restorative practices response policy,
2104-adopted pursuant to section 74 of this act, and data concerning the
2105-implementation of restorative practices, and (4) meeting with the school
2106-climate specialist for each school at least twice during the school year to
2107-(A) identify strategies to improve school climate, including, but not
2108-limited to, by responding to challenging behavior and implementing
2109-evidence and research-based interventions, such as restorative
2110-practices, (B) propose recommendations for revisions to the school
2111-climate improvement plan, and (C) assist with the completion of the
2112-school climate survey.
2113-Sec. 51. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) For the school year commencing
2114-July 1, 2025, and each school year thereafter, the principal of each school,
2115-or a school employee who holds professional certification pursuant to
2116-section 10-145 of the general statutes, is trained in school climate
2117-improvement or restorative practices and is designated as the school
2118-climate specialist by the school principal, shall serve as the school
2119-climate specialist for the school. The school climate specialist shall be
2120-responsible for (1) leading in the prevention, identification and response
2121-to challenging behavior, including, but not limited to, reports of alleged
2122-bullying and harassment, (2) implementing evidence and research-
2123-based interventions, including, but not limited to, restorative practices,
2124-(3) scheduling meetings for and leading the school climate committee,
2125-as described in section 52 of this act, and (4) leading the implementation
2126-of the school climate improvement plan, developed pursuant to section
2127-54 of this act.
2128-Sec. 52. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) (a) For the school year
2129-commencing July 1, 2025, and each school year thereafter, each school Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2130-
2131-Public Act No. 23-167 65 of 95
2132-
2133-climate specialist, as described in section 51 of this act, shall appoint
2134-members to the school climate committee who are racially, culturally
2135-and linguistically diverse and representative of various roles in the
2136-school community. The school climate committee shall consist of (1) the
2137-school climate specialist, (2) a teacher selected by the exclusive
2138-bargaining representative for certified employees chosen pursuant to
2139-section 10-153b of the general statutes, (3) a demographically
2140-representative group of students enrolled at the school, as
2141-developmentally appropriate, (4) families of students enrolled at the
2142-school, and (5) other members of the school community, as determined
2143-by the school climate specialist. Membership of the school climate
2144-committee shall be annually reviewed and approved by the school
2145-climate specialist, in coordination with the school climate coordinator,
2146-as described in section 50 of this act.
2147-(b) The school climate committee shall be responsible for (1) assisting
2148-in the development, annual scheduling and administration of the school
2149-climate survey, pursuant to section 53 of this act, and reviewing of the
2150-school climate survey data, (2) using the school climate survey data to
2151-identify strengths and challenges to improve school climate, and to
2152-create or propose revisions to the school climate improvement plan,
2153-developed pursuant to section 54 of this act, (3) assisting in the
2154-implementation of the school climate improvement plan and
2155-recommending any improvements or revisions to the plan, (4) advising
2156-on strategies to improve school climate and implementing evidence and
2157-research-based interventions, including, but not limited to, restorative
2158-practices, in the school community, (5) annually providing notice of the
2159-uniform bullying complaint form created pursuant to section 48 of this
2160-act, or similar complaint form used by the school, to the school
2161-community, and (6) engaging the school community, at community
2162-meetings held at least twice during the school year, in the
2163-implementation of the school climate improvement plan. Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2164-
2165-Public Act No. 23-167 66 of 95
2166-
2167-Sec. 53. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) For the school year commencing
2168-July 1, 2025, and biennially thereafter, the school climate committee, as
2169-described in section 52 of this act, for each school shall administer a
2170-school climate survey to students, school employees and families of
2171-students, provided the parent or guardian of each student shall receive
2172-prior written notice of the content and administration of such school
2173-climate survey and shall have a reasonable opportunity to opt such
2174-student out of such school climate survey.
2175-Sec. 54. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) For the school year commencing
2176-July 1, 2025, and each school year thereafter, the school climate
2177-specialist, as described in section 51 of this act, for each school, in
2178-collaboration with the school climate coordinator, as described in
2179-section 50 of this act, shall develop, and update as necessary, a school
2180-climate improvement plan. Such plan shall be based on the results of the
2181-school climate survey, administered pursuant to section 53 of this act,
2182-any recommendations from the school climate committee, as described
2183-in section 52 of this act, the protocols and supports, described in section
2184-71 of this act and any other data the school climate specialist and school
2185-climate coordinator deemed relevant. Such plan shall be submitted to
2186-the school climate coordinator for review and approval on or before
2187-December thirty-first of each school year. Upon approval of such plan,
2188-a written or electronic copy of such plan shall be made available to
2189-members of the school community and such plan shall be used in the
2190-prevention of, identification of and response to challenging behavior.
2191-Sec. 55. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) For the school year commencing
2192-July 1, 2024, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional
2193-board of education shall provide resources and training regarding social
2194-and emotional learning, school climate and culture and evidence and
2195-research-based interventions, including, but not limited to, restorative
2196-practices to school employees. Such resources and training may be made
2197-available at each school under the jurisdiction of such board and include Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2198-
2199-Public Act No. 23-167 67 of 95
2200-
2201-technical assistance in the implementation of a school climate
2202-improvement plan. Any school employee may participate in any such
2203-training offered by the board under this section. The school climate
2204-coordinator, as described in section 50 of this act, shall select, and
2205-approve, the individuals or organizations that will provide such
2206-training.
2207-Sec. 56. Subsection (c) of section 10-10g of the general statutes is
2208-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2209-2025):
2210-(c) For the school year commencing July 1, 2020, and each school year
2211-thereafter, the Department of Education shall disseminate the
2212-information published pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to each
2213-local and regional board of education. Each local and regional board of
2214-education shall require the provision of such information to any (1)
2215-student or parent or guardian of a student who expresses to a school
2216-employee, as defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, that such student
2217-or parent or guardian or a person residing with such student or parent
2218-or guardian does not feel safe at home due to domestic violence, and (2)
2219-parent or guardian of a student who authorizes the transfer of such
2220-student's education records to another school.
2221-Sec. 57. Subsection (c) of section 10-145a of the general statutes is
2222-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2223-2025):
2224-(c) Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to
2225-professional certification shall complete a school violence, bullying, as
2226-defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, and suicide prevention and
2227-conflict resolution component of such a program.
2228-Sec. 58. Subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 10-145o of the
2229-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2230-
2231-Public Act No. 23-167 68 of 95
2232-
2233-thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):
2234-(e) (1) Beginning teachers shall satisfactorily complete instructional
2235-modules in the following areas: (A) Classroom management and
2236-climate, which shall include training regarding the prevention,
2237-identification and response to [school] bullying, as defined in section
2238-[10-222d] 47 of this act, and the prevention of and response to youth
2239-suicide; (B) lesson planning and unit design; (C) delivering instruction;
2240-(D) assessing student learning; and (E) professional practice. Beginning
2241-teachers shall complete two modules in their first year in the program
2242-and three modules in their second year in the program, except as
2243-otherwise provided by the Commissioner of Education, or as provided
2244-for in subsection (h) of this section.
2245-Sec. 59. Section 10-212e of the general statutes is repealed and the
2246-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):
2247-No claim for damages shall be made against a town, local or regional
2248-board of education or school employee, as defined in section [10-222d]
2249-47 of this act, for any injury or damage resulting from the provision of
2250-food or dietary supplements by a parent or guardian, or a person
2251-designated by such parent or guardian, on school grounds to a student
2252-with glycogen storage disease under an individualized health care and
2253-glycogen storage disease action plan, pursuant to section 10-212c.
2254-Sec. 60. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the general statutes is
2255-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2256-2025):
2257-(a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-
2258-service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil
2259-personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or
2260-professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such
2261-teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1) Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2262-
2263-Public Act No. 23-167 69 of 95
2264-
2265-the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in
2266-subdivision (17) of section 21a-240, to health and personality
2267-development, and procedures for discouraging their abuse, (2) health
2268-and mental health risk reduction education that includes, but need not
2269-be limited to, the prevention of risk-taking behavior by children and the
2270-relationship of such behavior to substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually
2271-transmitted diseases, including HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in
2272-section 19a-581, violence, teen dating violence, domestic violence and
2273-child abuse, (3) school violence prevention, conflict resolution, the
2274-prevention of and response to youth suicide and the identification and
2275-prevention of and response to bullying, as defined in [subsection (a) of
2276-section 10-222d] section 47 of this act, except that those boards of
2277-education that implement any evidence-based model approach that is
2278-approved by the Department of Education and is consistent with
2279-subsection (c) of section 10-145a, as amended by this act, [sections 10-
2280-222d, 10-222g and 10-222h,] subsection (g) of section 10-233c and
2281-sections 1 and 3 of public act 08-160, shall not be required to provide in-
2282-service training on the identification and prevention of and response to
2283-bullying, (4) cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency life
2284-saving procedures, (5) the requirements and obligations of a mandated
2285-reporter, (6) the detection and recognition of, and evidence-based
2286-structured literacy interventions for, students with dyslexia, as defined
2287-in section 10-3d, (7) culturally responsive pedagogy and practice,
2288-including, but not limited to, the video training module relating to
2289-implicit bias and anti-bias in the hiring process in accordance with the
2290-provisions of section 10-156hh, and (8) the principles and practices of
2291-social-emotional learning and restorative practices. Each local or
2292-regional board of education may allow any paraprofessional or
2293-noncertified employee to participate, on a voluntary basis, in any in-
2294-service training program provided pursuant to this section.
2295-Sec. 61. Section 10-222j of the general statutes is repealed and the
2296-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2297-
2298-Public Act No. 23-167 70 of 95
2299-
2300-The Department of Education shall provide, within available
2301-appropriations, annual training to school employees, as defined in
2302-section [10-222d] 47 of this act, except those school employees who hold
2303-professional certification pursuant to section 10-145b unless such school
2304-employee who holds professional certification is the [district safe school
2305-climate coordinator, the safe school climate specialist or a member of the
2306-safe school climate committee, as described in section 10-222k] school
2307-climate coordinator, as described in section 50 of this act, the school
2308-climate specialist, as described in section 51 of this act, or a member of
2309-the school climate committee, as described in section 52 of this act, on
2310-the prevention, identification and response to [school] bullying and teen
2311-dating violence, as defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, and the
2312-prevention of and response to youth suicide. Such training may include,
2313-but not be limited to, (1) developmentally appropriate strategies to
2314-prevent bullying and teen dating violence among students in school and
2315-outside of the school setting, (2) developmentally appropriate strategies
2316-for immediate and effective interventions to stop bullying and teen
2317-dating violence, (3) information regarding the interaction and
2318-relationship between students committing acts of bullying and teen
2319-dating violence, students against whom such acts of bullying and teen
2320-dating violence are directed and witnesses of such acts of bullying and
2321-teen dating violence, (4) research findings on bullying and teen dating
2322-violence, such as information about the types of students who have been
2323-shown to be at-risk for bullying and teen dating violence in the school
2324-setting, (5) information on the incidence and nature of cyberbullying, as
2325-defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, (6) Internet safety issues as
2326-they relate to cyberbullying, or (7) information on the incidence of youth
2327-suicide, methods of identifying youths at risk of suicide and
2328-developmentally appropriate strategies for effective interventions to
2329-prevent youth suicide. Such training may be presented in person by
2330-mentors, offered in state-wide workshops or through on-line courses.
2331-Sec. 62. Section 10-222l of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2332-
2333-Public Act No. 23-167 71 of 95
2334-
2335-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):
2336-(a) No claim for damages shall be made against a school employee,
2337-as defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, who reports, investigates
2338-and responds to bullying or teen dating violence, as defined in section
2339-[10-222d] 47 of this act, in accordance with the provisions of the [safe
2340-school climate plan, described in section 10-222d] school climate
2341-improvement plan, as described in section 54 of this act, if such school
2342-employee was acting in good faith in the discharge of his or her duties
2343-or within the scope of his or her employment. The immunity provided
2344-in this subsection does not apply to acts or omissions constituting gross,
2345-reckless, wilful or wanton misconduct.
2346-(b) No claim for damages shall be made against a student, parent or
2347-guardian of a student or any other individual who reports an act of
2348-bullying or teen dating violence to a school employee, in accordance
2349-with the provisions of the [safe school climate plan described in section
2350-10-222d] school climate improvement plan, if such individual was
2351-acting in good faith. The immunity provided in this subsection does not
2352-apply to acts or omissions constituting gross, reckless, wilful or wanton
2353-misconduct.
2354-(c) No claim for damages shall be made against a local or regional
2355-board of education that implements the [safe school climate plan,
2356-described in section 10-222d,] school climate improvement plan and
2357-reports, investigates and responds to bullying or teen dating violence,
2358-as defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, if such local or regional
2359-board of education was acting in good faith in the discharge of its duties.
2360-The immunity provided in this subsection does not apply to acts or
2361-omissions constituting gross, reckless, wilful or wanton misconduct.
2362-Sec. 63. Subsection (b) of section 10-222m of the general statutes is
2363-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2364-2025): Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2365-
2366-Public Act No. 23-167 72 of 95
2367-
2368-(b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and each school year
2369-thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall establish a
2370-school security and safety committee at each school under the
2371-jurisdiction of such board. The school security and safety committee
2372-shall be responsible for assisting in the development of the school
2373-security and safety plan for the school and administering such plan.
2374-Such school security and safety committee shall consist of a local police
2375-officer, a local first responder, a teacher and an administrator employed
2376-at the school, a mental health professional, as defined in section 10-76t,
2377-a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the school and any other
2378-person the board of education deems necessary. Any parent or guardian
2379-serving as a member of a school security and safety committee shall not
2380-have access to [any] information reported to such committee [, pursuant
2381-to subparagraph (c) of subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of section 10-
2382-222k] that would result in a violation of the Family Educational Rights
2383-and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 USC 1232g, as amended from time to time.
2384-Sec. 64. Subsection (a) of section 10-222n of the general statutes is
2385-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2386-2025):
2387-(a) Not later than January 1, 2014, the Department of Emergency
2388-Services and Public Protection, in consultation with the Department of
2389-Education, shall develop school security and safety plan standards. Not
2390-later than January 1, 2020, and every three years thereafter, the
2391-Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, in
2392-consultation with the Department of Education, shall reevaluate and
2393-update the school security and safety plan standards. The school
2394-security and safety plan standards shall be an all-hazards approach to
2395-emergencies at public schools and shall include, but not be limited to,
2396-(1) involvement of local officials, including the chief executive officer of
2397-the municipality, the superintendent of schools, law enforcement, fire,
2398-public health, emergency management and emergency medical Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2399-
2400-Public Act No. 23-167 73 of 95
2401-
2402-services, in the development of school security and safety plans, (2) a
2403-command center organization structure based on the federal National
2404-Incident Management System and a description of the responsibilities
2405-of such command center organization, (3) a requirement that a school
2406-security and safety committee be established at each school, in
2407-accordance with the provisions of section 10-222m, as amended by this
2408-act, (4) crisis management procedures, (5) a requirement that local law
2409-enforcement and other local public safety officials evaluate, score and
2410-provide feedback on fire drills and crisis response drills, conducted
2411-pursuant to section 10-231, (6) a requirement that local and regional
2412-boards of education annually submit reports to the Department of
2413-Emergency Services and Public Protection regarding such fire drills and
2414-crisis response drills, (7) procedures for managing various types of
2415-emergencies, (8) a requirement that each local and regional board of
2416-education conduct a security and vulnerability assessment for each
2417-school under the jurisdiction of such board every two years and develop
2418-a school security and safety plan for each such school, in accordance
2419-with the provisions of section 10-222m, as amended by this act, based
2420-on the results of such assessment, (9) a requirement that the [safe school
2421-climate committee for each school, established pursuant to section 10-
2422-222k] school climate committee, as described in section 52 of this act,
2423-collect and evaluate information relating to instances of disturbing or
2424-threatening behavior that may not meet the definition of bullying, as
2425-defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, and report such information,
2426-as necessary, to the [district safe school climate coordinator, described
2427-in section 10-222k] school climate coordinator, as described in section 50
2428-of this act, and the school security and safety committee for the school,
2429-established pursuant to section 10-222m, as amended by this act, and
2430-(10) a requirement that the school security and safety plan for each
2431-school provide an orientation on such school security and safety plan to
2432-each school employee, as defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, at
2433-such school and provide violence prevention training in a manner
2434-prescribed in such school security and safety plan. The Department of Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2435-
2436-Public Act No. 23-167 74 of 95
2437-
2438-Emergency Services and Public Protection shall make such standards
2439-available to local officials, including local and regional boards of
2440-education, and the Department of Education shall distribute such
2441-standards to all public schools within the state.
2442-Sec. 65. Subsection (a) of section 10-222q of the general statutes is
2443-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2444-2025):
2445-(a) There is established a social and emotional learning and school
2446-climate advisory collaborative. The collaborative shall (1) collect
2447-information concerning the school climate improvement efforts of local
2448-and regional boards of education, (2) document any needs articulated
2449-by local and regional boards of education for technical assistance and
2450-training relating to fostering positive school climates, (3) identify best
2451-practices for promoting positive school climates, (4) direct resources to
2452-support state-wide and local initiatives on issues relating to fostering
2453-and improving positive school climates and improving access to social
2454-and emotional learning in schools, (5) develop an assessment for
2455-screening students in grades three to twelve, inclusive, to determine
2456-whether such students are at risk for suicide, (6) develop a biennial state-
2457-wide school climate survey, as described in subsection (c) of section 2 of
2458-public act 19-166, (7) [develop a model positive school climate policy, as
2459-described in subsection (a) of section 2 of public act 19-166] adopt a
2460-Connecticut school climate policy, as defined in section 47 of this act, (8)
2461-develop a plain language explanation of the rights and remedies
2462-available under sections 10-4a and 10-4b for distribution to parents and
2463-guardians, [pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of section 10-
2464-222d,] and provide such explanation to each local and regional board of
2465-education not later than January 1, 2021, and (9) perform other functions
2466-concerning social and emotional learning and fostering positive school
2467-climates.
2468-Sec. 66. Section 10-222w of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2469-
2470-Public Act No. 23-167 75 of 95
2471-
2472-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):
2473-Not later than January 1, 2022, the Social Emotional Learning and
2474-School Climate Advisory Collaborative, established pursuant to section
2475-10-222q, as amended by this act, shall convene a working group to (1)
2476-review sections 10-222d to 10-222p, inclusive, of the general statutes,
2477-revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2021, relating to bullying and safe
2478-school climate plans, (2) make recommendations concerning (A)
2479-amendments to said sections 10-222d to 10-222p, inclusive, of the
2480-general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2021, and (B) the
2481-inclusion of restorative practices in safe school climate plans, [and (C)
2482-state-wide adoption of the National School Climate Standards,] and (3)
2483-provide technical assistance and support to local and regional boards of
2484-education in adopting and implementing the Connecticut Model School
2485-Climate Policy, policy number 5131.914. The Social Emotional Learning
2486-and School Climate Advisory Collaborative may consult with or include
2487-representatives from the national Collaborative for Academic, Social,
2488-and Emotional Learning as members of the working group in
2489-implementing the provisions of this section.
2490-Sec. 67. Subsection (o) of section 10-236b of the general statutes is
2491-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2492-2025):
2493-(o) (1) Each local or regional board of education shall provide training
2494-regarding the physical restraint and seclusion of students to the
2495-members of the crisis intervention team for each school in the district,
2496-identified pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection. A local or
2497-regional board of education may provide such training to any teacher,
2498-as defined in section 10-144d, administrator, as defined in section 10-
2499-144e, school paraprofessional or other school employee, as defined in
2500-section [10-222d] 47 of this act, designated by the school principal and
2501-who has direct contact with students. Such training shall be provided
2502-during the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2503-
2504-Public Act No. 23-167 76 of 95
2505-
2506-thereafter, and shall include, but not be limited to:
2507-(A) An overview of the relevant laws and regulations regarding the
2508-use of physical restraint and seclusion on students and the proper uses
2509-of physical restraint and seclusion. For the school year commencing July
2510-1, 2017, and annually thereafter, such overview shall be provided by the
2511-Department of Education, in a manner and form as prescribed by the
2512-Commissioner of Education;
2513-(B) The creation of a plan by which each local and regional board of
2514-education shall provide training regarding the prevention of incidents
2515-requiring physical restraint or seclusion of students. Such plan shall be
2516-implemented not later than July 1, 2018. The Department of Education
2517-may, within available appropriations, provide ongoing monitoring and
2518-support to local or regional boards of education regarding the
2519-formulation and implementation of the plan; and
2520-(C) The creation of a plan by which each local or regional board of
2521-education shall provide training regarding the proper means of physical
2522-restraint or seclusion of a student, including, but not limited to, (i)
2523-various types of physical restraint and seclusion; (ii) the differences
2524-between life-threatening physical restraint and other varying levels of
2525-physical restraint; (iii) the differences between permissible physical
2526-restraint and pain compliance techniques; and (iv) monitoring methods
2527-to prevent harm to a student who is physically restrained or in seclusion.
2528-Such plan shall be implemented not later than July 1, 2018;
2529-(2) For the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year
2530-thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall require each
2531-school in the district to identify a crisis intervention team consisting of
2532-any teacher, as defined in section 10-144d, administrator, as defined in
2533-section 10-144e, school paraprofessional or other school employee, as
2534-defined in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, designated by the school
2535-principal and who has direct contact with students. Such teams shall Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2536-
2537-Public Act No. 23-167 77 of 95
2538-
2539-respond to any incident in which the use of physical restraint or
2540-seclusion may be necessary as an emergency intervention to prevent
2541-immediate or imminent injury to a student or to others. Each member of
2542-the crisis intervention team shall be recertified in the use of physical
2543-restraint and seclusion pursuant to subparagraph (C) of subdivision (1)
2544-of this subsection or chapter 814e on an annual basis. Each local and
2545-regional board of education shall maintain a list of the members of the
2546-crisis intervention team for each school.
2547-Sec. 68. Subdivision (33) of section 12-81 of the general statutes is
2548-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2549-2025):
2550-(33) Musical instruments, radios, television sets, cellular mobile
2551-telephones, computers and mobile electronic devices, as defined in
2552-section [10-222d] 47 of this act, used by and belonging to any family;
2553-Sec. 69. Subsection (c) of section 17a-52a of the general statutes is
2554-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2555-2025):
2556-(c) The director of health for each local health department and district
2557-department of health shall determine the eligibility criteria for
2558-participation in the youth suicide prevention training program.
2559-Participants shall be members of the following groups within such
2560-district: (1) Employees of such local health department and district
2561-department of health, (2) employees of youth service bureaus
2562-established pursuant to section 10-19m, (3) school employees, as defined
2563-in section [10-222d] 47 of this act, (4) employees and volunteers of youth-
2564-serving organizations, (5) employees and volunteers of operators of
2565-youth athletic activities, as defined in section 21a-432, (6) employees of
2566-municipal social service agencies, (7) members of paid municipal or
2567-volunteer fire departments, and (8) members of local police
2568-departments. With respect to school employees, such training program Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2569-
2570-Public Act No. 23-167 78 of 95
2571-
2572-may be included as part of an in-service training program provided
2573-pursuant to section 10-220a, as amended by this act.
2574-Sec. 70. Subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of section 17a-453h of the
2575-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2576-thereof (Effective July 1, 2025):
2577-(c) (1) For the school year commencing July 1, [2014] 2025, the
2578-Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall provide
2579-mental health first aid training to any person appointed to serve as the
2580-[district safe school climate coordinator, pursuant to section 10-222k]
2581-school climate coordinator, as described in section 50 of this act. Each
2582-such [district safe] school climate coordinator shall successfully
2583-complete such mental health first aid training.
2584-Sec. 71. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) A school climate improvement
2585-plan developed pursuant to section 54 of this act shall align with the
2586-Connecticut school climate standards, developed pursuant to section 48
2587-of this act, and include protocols and supports to enhance classroom
2588-safety and address challenging behavior. At a minimum, such protocols
2589-and supports shall specify:
2590-(1) The contact information of an administrator designated by the
2591-school climate specialist, as described in section 51 of this act, to be
2592-notified by school employees of any incidents of challenging behavior
2593-that results in student discipline or removal from the classroom, and the
2594-contact information of any other administrator or school employee to be
2595-notified of such incidents in the absence of the designated administrator;
2596-(2) The process by which the designated administrator will assess the
2597-facts, severity and intentionality of an incident of challenging behavior;
2598-(3) Each designated location to which a student may be sent pursuant
2599-to section 10-233b of the general statutes when a student is temporarily
2600-removed from a classroom and the supports such student may receive Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2601-
2602-Public Act No. 23-167 79 of 95
2603-
2604-at such location, including, but not limited to, intervention from a school
2605-employee trained to provide such intervention, therapeutic resources,
2606-available mental health supports, instructional materials and
2607-technology or other resources to address the temporary needs of such
2608-student;
2609-(4) Ways to address challenging behavior, enhance resiliency,
2610-increase the use of de-escalation strategies and improve social and
2611-emotional skills, which may include, but is not limited to, the use of
2612-training, therapeutic mental health supports, restorative practices or
2613-trauma-informed instructional strategies;
2614-(5) The safeguards established to ensure that any supports, services
2615-or interventions provided under this section to any student who
2616-receives special education or accommodation for a disability comply
2617-with the provisions of sections 10-76d and 10-236b of the general
2618-statutes, as amended by this act, the requirements of Section 504 of the
2619-Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended from time to time, the
2620-Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as
2621-amended from time to time, and such student's individualized
2622-education program or plan pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
2623-Act of 1973;
2624-(6) Tiered responses, based on level of impact or frequency of
2625-occurrence, to incidents of challenging behavior that (A) require
2626-temporarily clearing a classroom or removing a majority of students to
2627-reduce likelihood of injury, (B) indicate credible intention to cause
2628-bodily harm to self or others, or (C) result in an injury that requires
2629-medical attention beyond basic first aid, or less severe injuries caused
2630-by the same person on more than one occasion, verified by the school
2631-nurse or other medical professional. Such tiered responses shall include,
2632-but need not be limited to, the following:
2633-(i) For a single such incident, the school principal shall notify the Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2634-
2635-Public Act No. 23-167 80 of 95
2636-
2637-parents or guardians of each student involved in such incident in a
2638-manner that complies with the requirements of the Family Educational
2639-Rights and Privacy Act, 20 USC 1232g, as amended from time to time;
2640-(ii) For a subsequent such incident, the school principal shall invite
2641-the parents or guardians of each student involved in such incident to a
2642-meeting, either in person at the school or virtually, to discuss the specific
2643-supports or interventions that are applicable to such student, including,
2644-but not limited to, restorative practices;
2645-(iii) For multiple subsequent such incidents or a single such incident
2646-that causes severe harm, the school principal shall provide notice to the
2647-parents or guardians of each student involved in such incident of other
2648-resources for supports and interventions, including, but not limited to,
2649-the 2-1-1 Infoline program, services or programs available through the
2650-Behavioral Health Partnership, established pursuant to section 17a-22h
2651-of the general statutes or other resources for professional services,
2652-support or crisis intervention.
2653-(7) A requirement for the superintendent of schools to submit, at least
2654-annually, to the local or regional board of education a report concerning
2655-the number of incidents, as described in subdivision (6) of this section,
2656-that occurred during the prior year, the grade level of each student
2657-involved in such incidents and the supports, services or interventions
2658-provided in response to such incidents to address the needs of students
2659-and school employees. Such report shall be produced in a manner that
2660-does not result in the disclosure of data identifiable to individual
2661-students in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
2662-Act, 20 USC 1232g, as amended from time to time, and the Department
2663-of Education's data suppression guidelines;
2664-(8) A prohibition on the discrimination or retaliation against any
2665-person who reports or assists in the investigation of an incident of
2666-challenging behavior, as described in subdivision (6) of this section; Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2667-
2668-Public Act No. 23-167 81 of 95
2669-
2670-(9) For incidents of challenging behavior, as described in subdivision
2671-(6) of this section, (A) a requirement for a meeting between an
2672-administrator and the school employee who witness such incident, not
2673-later than two days after the date such incident occurred, to determine
2674-the supports and interventions required to address the needs of students
2675-and school employees, provided the supports and interventions for any
2676-student who receives special education shall be determined by the
2677-planning and placement team for such student and notice of such
2678-incident shall be submitted to the planning and placement team not later
2679-than two days after the date such incident occurred, and (B) a process
2680-by which a teacher may request a behavior intervention meeting
2681-pursuant to section 10-236c of the general statutes.
2682-Sec. 72. Section 10-233m of the general statutes is repealed and the
2683-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2023):
2684-Each local or regional board of education that assigns a school
2685-resource officer to any school under the jurisdiction of such board shall
2686-enter into a memorandum of understanding with a local law
2687-enforcement agency regarding the role and responsibility of such school
2688-resource officer. Such memorandum of understanding shall (1) be
2689-maintained in a central location in the school district and posted on the
2690-Internet web site of the school district and each school in which such
2691-school resource officer is assigned, (2) include provisions addressing
2692-daily interactions between students and school personnel with school
2693-resource officers, and [shall] (3) include a graduated response model for
2694-student discipline. Any such memorandum of understanding entered
2695-into, extended, updated or amended (A) on or after July 1, 2021, shall
2696-include a provision that requires all school resource officers to complete,
2697-while in the performance of their duties as school resource officers and
2698-during periods when such school resource officers are assigned to be at
2699-the school, any separate training specifically related to social-emotional
2700-learning and restorative practices provided to certified employees of the Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2701-
2702-Public Act No. 23-167 82 of 95
2703-
2704-school pursuant to sections 10-148a and 10-220a, as amended by this act,
2705-and (B) on or after July 1, 2023, shall include provisions specifying a
2706-school resource officer's duties concerning, and procedures for, the
2707-restraint of students, use of firearms, school-based arrests and reporting
2708-of any investigations and behavioral interventions pursuant to the
2709-provisions of section 73 of this act. For the purposes of this section,
2710-"school resource officer" means a sworn police officer of a local law
2711-enforcement agency who has been assigned to a school pursuant to an
2712-agreement between the local or regional board of education and the
2713-chief of police of a local law enforcement agency.
2714-Sec. 73. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) Each school resource officer, as
2715-defined in section 10-233m of the general statutes, as amended by this
2716-act, shall submit to the chief of police of such school resource officer's
2717-local law enforcement agency a report for each investigation or
2718-behavioral intervention conducted by such school resource officer not
2719-later than five school days after conducting such investigation or
2720-behavioral intervention. The chief of police shall submit such report to
2721-the superintendent of schools for the school district in which such
2722-investigation or behavioral intervention occurred in accordance with
2723-the provisions of the memorandum of understanding entered into
2724-pursuant to section 10-233m of the general statutes, as amended by this
2725-act, but shall be not less frequently than monthly. Such superintendent
2726-shall submit such report to the local or regional board of education of
2727-the school district. Such report shall include, but need not be limited to,
2728-(1) the date, time and location of such investigation or behavioral
2729-intervention, (2) the name and badge number of such school resource
2730-officer, (3) the race, ethnicity, gender, age and disability status for each
2731-student involved in such investigation or behavioral intervention, (4)
2732-the reason for and nature of such investigation or behavioral
2733-intervention, (5) the disposition of such investigation or behavioral
2734-intervention, and (6) whether any student involved in such
2735-investigation or behavioral intervention was (A) searched, (B) apprised Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2736-
2737-Public Act No. 23-167 83 of 95
2738-
2739-of such student's constitutional rights, (C) issued a citation or a
2740-summons, (D) arrested, or (E) detained, including the amount of time
2741-such student was detained. For purposes of this section, "investigation
2742-or behavioral intervention" means a circumstance in which a school
2743-resource officer is conducting (i) a fact-finding inquiry concerning
2744-student behavior or school safety, including, but not limited to,
2745-emergency circumstances, or (ii) an intervention to resolve violent or
2746-nonviolent student behavior or conflicts.
2747-Sec. 74. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) For the school year commencing
2748-July 1, 2025, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional
2749-board of education shall adopt a restorative practices response policy to
2750-be implemented by school employees for incidents of challenging
2751-behavior or student conflict that is nonviolent and does not constitute a
2752-crime. Such policy shall not include the involvement of a school resource
2753-office or other law enforcement official, unless such challenging
2754-behavior or conflict escalates to violence or constitutes a crime.
2755-Sec. 75. (Effective July 1, 2023) The Commissioner of Education shall
2756-establish a working group under the Connecticut School Discipline
2757-Collaborative to study current school discipline practices, including, but
2758-not limited to, discipline practices that lead to students becoming
2759-justice-involved. The members of such working group shall be
2760-appointed by the commissioner and be representative of students,
2761-educators, community members, experts in child welfare and
2762-development, mental health care providers and experts in restorative
2763-practices, as defined in section 47 of this act. Not later than July 1, 2024,
2764-such working group shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of
2765-section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of
2766-the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to
2767-education a report concerning the results of such study and any
2768-recommendations for school discipline reform. For the purpose of this
2769-section, "justice-involved" means being involved with the juvenile Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2770-
2771-Public Act No. 23-167 84 of 95
2772-
2773-justice system as a result of being accused of a delinquent or criminal
2774-act.
2775-Sec. 76. Section 10-220 of the general statutes is amended by adding
2776-subsection (g) as follows (Effective January 1, 2024):
2777-(NEW) (g) For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, and each
2778-school year thereafter, any local or regional board of education with a
2779-rate of in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions and expulsions
2780-that is deemed high or disproportionate by the Commissioner of
2781-Education based on the examination of data pursuant to section 10-233n,
2782-as amended by this act, shall (1) develop strategies to reduce the number
2783-of such suspensions and expulsions, and (2) submit such strategies to
2784-the Department of Education in the form and manner prescribed by the
2785-commissioner.
2786-Sec. 77. Subsection (b) of section 10-233n of the general statutes is
2787-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January
2788-1, 2024):
2789-(b) The Department of Education shall annually examine data
2790-relating to in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions, expulsions
2791-and school-based arrests that has been submitted as part of the strategic
2792-school profile report pursuant to section 10-220, as amended by this act,
2793-and shall disaggregate such data by school, race, ethnicity, gender, age,
2794-students with disabilities, English language learners, as defined in
2795-section 10-76kk, students who are eligible for free or reduced priced
2796-lunch pursuant to federal law and regulations, and type of offense for
2797-which the school-based arrests were made and the number of arrests
2798-made annually at each school within the school district. The department
2799-shall annually submit [a report] to the State Board of Education, and
2800-post on its Internet web site, a report regarding the examination and
2801-disaggregation of such data, [and make the report available on the
2802-department's Internet web site] any strategies developed pursuant to Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2803-
2804-Public Act No. 23-167 85 of 95
2805-
2806-subsection (g) of section 10-220, as amended by this act, and the results
2807-of such strategies.
2808-Sec. 78. (NEW) (Effective January 1, 2024) On and after July 1, 2024, the
2809-Department of Education shall, within available appropriations,
2810-provide support, on-site monitoring and oversight of schools that are
2811-implementing strategies developed pursuant to subsection (g) of section
2812-10-220 of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
2813-Sec. 79. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2023) Not later than January 1, 2024,
2814-the Department of Education shall provide to each local and regional
2815-board of education a list of recommended assessments for determining
2816-the suicide risk of students who exhibit mental health distress, have
2817-been identified as at risk of suicide or are considered to be at an
2818-increased risk of suicide based on the risk factors identified pursuant to
2819-subsection (f) of section 10-221 of the general statutes, as amended by
2820-this act. Such list may include, but need not be limited to, the Columbia-
2821-Suicide Severity Rating Scale.
2822-Sec. 80. Subsection (f) of section 10-221 of the general statutes is
2823-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2824-2023):
2825-(f) Each local and regional board of education shall adopt a written
2826-policy and procedures for dealing with youth suicide prevention and
2827-youth suicide attempts. Each such board of education may (1) establish
2828-a student assistance program to identify (A) risk factors for youth
2829-suicide, based on the state-wide strategic suicide prevention plan
2830-developed by the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board, established
2831-pursuant to section 17a-52, and shall include, but need not be limited to,
2832-youth who are (i) bereaved by suicide, (ii) disabled or have chronic
2833-health conditions, such as mental health or substance use disorders, (iii)
2834-involved in the juvenile justice system, (iv) experiencing homelessness
2835-or placed in an out-of-home setting, such as foster care, or (v) lesbian, Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2836-
2837-Public Act No. 23-167 86 of 95
2838-
2839-gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning, (B) procedures to intervene
2840-with such youths, (C) referral services, and (D) training for teachers and
2841-other school professionals and students who provide assistance in the
2842-program, and (2) use an assessment, from a list of such assessments
2843-recommended by the Department of Education pursuant to section 79
2844-of this act, to determine the suicide risk of students who exhibit mental
2845-health distress, have been identified as at risk of suicide or are
2846-considered to be at an increased risk of suicide based on the risk factors
2847-identified pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. Students who
2848-are assessed based on such risk factors shall receive heightened
2849-consideration during such assessment.
2850-Sec. 81. (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2025, the
2851-Department of Education shall submit to the Juvenile Justice Policy and
2852-Oversight Committee, established pursuant to section 46b-121n of the
2853-general statutes, a report assessing the educational experiences and
2854-outcomes of students who are expelled and placed in alternative
2855-educational opportunities, offered pursuant to subsection (d) of section
2856-10-233d of the general statutes, and how such alternative educational
2857-opportunities compare to the standards adopted by the State Board of
2858-Education pursuant to section 10-233o of the general statutes. Such
2859-report shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) the total number of
2860-students who were expelled and placed in alternative educational
2861-opportunities during the prior school year, (2) the types of alternative
2862-educational opportunities in which such students were placed, and (3)
2863-any engagement and outcome measure for such students.
2864-Sec. 82. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The Department of
2865-Education's Connecticut School Discipline Collaborative shall advise
2866-the Commissioner of Education and the State Board of Education on
2867-strategies to reduce the overall and disproportionate use of out-of-
2868-school suspensions and expulsions.
2869-(b) On and after October 1, 2023, the duties of the Connecticut School Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2870-
2871-Public Act No. 23-167 87 of 95
2872-
2873-Discipline Collaborative shall include, but need not be limited to, (1)
2874-developing guidance to reduce the number of out-of-school suspensions
2875-and expulsions of students in grades preschool to two, inclusive, (2)
2876-providing evidence-based and developmentally appropriate definitions
2877-and examples of conduct that is of a violent or sexual nature in the
2878-context that such conduct may allow an out-of-school suspension of a
2879-student in grades preschool to two, inclusive, pursuant to subsection (g)
2880-of section 10-233c of the general statutes, and (3) recommending
2881-developmentally appropriate interventions for a student in grades
2882-preschool to two, inclusive, as an alternative to out-of-school
2883-suspension.
2884-Sec. 83. Section 4 of public act 22-80, as amended by section 7 of public
2885-act 22-116, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
2886-(Effective from passage):
2887-(a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2025,
2888-inclusive, the Department of Education shall administer a grant
2889-program to provide grants to local and regional boards of education for
2890-the purpose of hiring and retaining additional school social workers,
2891-school psychologists, school counselors, school nurses and licensed
2892-marriage and family therapists.
2893-(b) Applications for grants pursuant to subsection (a) of this section
2894-shall be filed with the Commissioner of Education at such time and in
2895-such manner as the commissioner prescribes. As part of the application,
2896-an applicant shall submit a (1) plan for the expenditure of grant funds,
2897-and (2) copy of the completed survey described in section 3 of public act
2898-22-80. Such plan shall include, but need not be limited to, the number of
2899-additional school social workers, school psychologists, school
2900-counselors, school nurses or licensed marriage and family therapists to
2901-be hired, the number of school social workers, school psychologists,
2902-school counselors, school nurses or licensed marriage and family
2903-therapists being retained who were previously hired with the assistance Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2904-
2905-Public Act No. 23-167 88 of 95
2906-
2907-of grant funds awarded under this section, whether such school social
2908-workers, school psychologists, school counselors, school nurses or
2909-licensed marriage and family therapists will be conducting assessments
2910-of students or providing services to students based on the results of
2911-assessments, and the type of services that will be provided by such
2912-school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors, school
2913-nurses and licensed marriage and family therapists.
2914-(c) In determining whether to award an applicant a grant under this
2915-section, the commissioner shall give priority to those school districts (1)
2916-with large student-to-school social worker ratios, student-to-school
2917-psychologist ratios, student-to-school counselor ratios, student-to-
2918-school nurse ratios or student-to-licensed marriage and family therapist
2919-ratios, or (2) that have a high volume of student utilization of mental
2920-health services.
2921-(d) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the commissioner may
2922-award a grant to an applicant and shall determine the amount of the
2923-grant award based on the plan submitted by such applicant pursuant to
2924-subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner shall pay a grant to each
2925-grant recipient in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, to June
2926-30, 2025, inclusive, as follows: (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023,
2927-the amount of the grant shall be as determined by the commissioner
2928-under this subsection; (2) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, the
2929-amount of the grant shall be the same amount as the grant awarded for
2930-the prior fiscal year; and (3) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the
2931-amount of the grant shall be seventy per cent of the amount of the grant
2932-awarded for the prior fiscal year.
2933-(e) Grant recipients shall file annual expenditure reports with the
2934-department at such time and in such manner as the commissioner
2935-prescribes. Grant recipients shall refund to the department [(1) any
2936-unexpended amounts at the close of the fiscal year in which the grant
2937-was awarded, and (2)] any amounts not expended in accordance with Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2938-
2939-Public Act No. 23-167 89 of 95
2940-
2941-the plan for which such grant application was approved.
2942-(f) The department shall annually track and calculate the utilization
2943-rate of the grant program for each grant recipient. Such utilization rate
2944-shall be calculated using metrics that include, but need not be limited
2945-to, the number of students served and the hours of service provided
2946-using grant funds awarded under the program.
2947-(g) For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section, the
2948-Department of Education may accept funds from private sources or any
2949-state agency, gifts, grants and donations, including, but not limited to,
2950-in-kind donations.
2951-(h) (1) Not later than January 1, 2024, and each January first thereafter
2952-until and including January 1, 2026, the commissioner shall submit a
2953-report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general
2954-statutes, on the expenditure report and utilization rate, calculated
2955-pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, for each grant recipient to the
2956-joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance
2957-of matters relating to education and children.
2958-(2) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Education
2959-shall develop recommendations concerning (A) whether such grant
2960-program should be extended and funded for the fiscal year ending June
2961-30, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, and (B) the amount of the grant
2962-award under the program. The commissioner shall submit such
2963-recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of
2964-the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General
2965-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and
2966-children.
2967-Sec. 84. Section 13 of public act 22-47, as amended by section 10 of
2968-public act 22-116, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
2969-thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
2970-
2971-Public Act No. 23-167 90 of 95
2972-
2973-(a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, [2023] 2024, to June 30, [2025]
2974-2026, inclusive, the Department of Education shall administer a grant
2975-program to provide grants to local and regional boards of education for
2976-the purpose of hiring additional school mental health specialists. As
2977-used in this section, "school mental health specialist" has the same
2978-meaning as provided in section 12 of public act 22-47.
2979-(b) On and after January 1, 2023, a local or regional board of education
2980-may submit an application for a grant under this section, in such form
2981-and manner as the Commissioner of Education prescribes. As part of the
2982-application, the applicant shall submit (1) a plan for the expenditure of
2983-grant funds, and (2) (A) for an application submitted before July 1, 2023,
2984-the information described in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of
2985-subsection (b) of section 12 of public act 22-47, and (B) for an application
2986-submitted on or after July 1, 2023, a copy of the completed survey
2987-described in section 12 of public act 22-47. Such plan shall include, but
2988-need not be limited to, the number of additional school mental health
2989-specialists to be hired, if such grant funds will be used to retain any of
2990-the school mental health specialists hired with the assistance of grant
2991-funds awarded under this section, whether such school mental health
2992-specialists will be conducting assessments of students or providing
2993-services to students based on the results of assessments, the type of
2994-services that will be provided by such school mental health specialists,
2995-and a description of how such board will implement the provisions of
2996-subsection (f) of this section.
2997-(c) In determining whether to award an applicant a grant under this
2998-section, the Commissioner of Education shall give priority to those
2999-school districts (1) with large student-to-school mental health specialist
3000-ratios, or (2) that have a high volume of student utilization of mental
3001-health services.
3002-(d) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2023] 2024, the Commissioner
3003-of Education may award a grant to an applicant and shall determine the Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
3004-
3005-Public Act No. 23-167 91 of 95
3006-
3007-amount of the grant award based on the plan submitted by such
3008-applicant pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner
3009-shall pay a grant to each grant recipient in each of the fiscal years ending
3010-June 30, [2023] 2024, to June 30, [2025] 2026, inclusive, as follows: (1) For
3011-the fiscal year ending June 30, [2023] 2024, the amount of the grant shall
3012-be as determined by the commissioner under this subsection; (2) for the
3013-fiscal year ending June 30, [2024] 2025, the amount of the grant shall be
3014-the same amount as the grant awarded for the prior fiscal year; and (3)
3015-for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2025] 2026, the amount of the grant
3016-shall be seventy per cent of the amount of the grant awarded for the
3017-prior fiscal year.
3018-(e) Grant recipients shall file annual expenditure reports with the
3019-Department of Education at such time, and in such manner, as the
3020-commissioner prescribes. A grant recipient shall only expend grant
3021-funds received under this section in accordance with the plan submitted
3022-pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and a grant recipient may not
3023-use such grant funds received under this section for the purpose of any
3024-operating expenses that existed prior to receipt of such grant. Grant
3025-recipients shall refund to the department [(1) any unexpended amounts
3026-at the close of the fiscal year in which the grant was awarded, and (2)]
3027-any amounts not expended in accordance with the plan for which such
3028-grant application was approved.
3029-(f) If a local or regional board of education receives a grant under this
3030-section for the hiring of a school counselor, such school counselor shall
3031-provide one-on-one consultations with each student in grades eleven
3032-and twelve on the completion of the Free Application for Federal
3033-Student Aid. If such board can provide evidence to the Commissioner
3034-of Education that the student completion rate of the Free Application for
3035-Federal Student Aid for the school district has increased by at least five
3036-per cent, such board shall receive an additional grant in the amount of
3037-ten per cent of the grant received under this section for the fiscal year in Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
3038-
3039-Public Act No. 23-167 92 of 95
3040-
3041-which such board provided such evidence.
3042-(g) (1) The Department of Education shall annually track and
3043-calculate the utilization rate of the grant program for each grant
3044-recipient. Such utilization rate shall be calculated using metrics that
3045-include, but need not be limited to, the number of students served and
3046-the hours of service provided using grant funds awarded under the
3047-program.
3048-(2) The department shall annually calculate the return on investment
3049-for the grant program using the expenditure reports filed pursuant to
3050-subsection (e) of this section and the utilization rates calculated
3051-pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.
3052-(h) For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section, the
3053-Department of Education may accept funds from private sources or any
3054-state agency, gifts, grants and donations, including, but not limited to,
3055-in-kind donations.
3056-(i) (1) Not later than January 1, [2024] 2025, and each January first
3057-thereafter, until and including January 1, [2026] 2027, the Commissioner
3058-of Education shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of
3059-section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the utilization rate for each grant
3060-recipient and the return on investment for the grant program, calculated
3061-pursuant to subsection (g) of this section, to the joint standing
3062-committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
3063-relating to education and children.
3064-(2) Not later than January 1, [2026] 2027, the commissioner shall
3065-develop recommendations concerning (A) whether such grant program
3066-should be extended and funded for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2026]
3067-2027, and each fiscal year thereafter, and (B) the amount of the grant
3068-award under the program. The commissioner shall submit such
3069-recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
3070-
3071-Public Act No. 23-167 93 of 95
3072-
3073-the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General
3074-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and
3075-children.
3076-Sec. 85. Section 14 of public act 22-47 is repealed and the following is
3077-substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
3078-(a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, [2023] 2024, to June 30, [2025]
3079-2026, inclusive, the Department of Education shall administer a grant
3080-program to provide grants to local and regional boards of education and
3081-operators of youth camps and other summer programs for the delivery
3082-of mental health services to students.
3083-(b) On and after January 1, 2023, applications for grants pursuant to
3084-subsection (a) of this section shall be filed with the Commissioner of
3085-Education at such time, and in such manner, as the commissioner
3086-prescribes. As part of the application, the applicant shall submit (1) a
3087-plan for the expenditure of grant funds, and (2) (A) for an application
3088-submitted by a local or regional board of education before July 1, 2023,
3089-the information described in subdivisions (1) to (5), inclusive, of
3090-subsection (b) of section 12 of [this act] public act 22-47, and (B) for an
3091-application submitted by a local or regional board of education on or
3092-after July 1, 2023, a copy of the completed survey described in section 12
3093-of [this act] public act 22-47.
3094-(c) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2023] 2024, the Commissioner
3095-of Education may award a grant to an applicant and shall determine the
3096-amount of the grant award based on the plan submitted by such
3097-applicant pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner
3098-shall pay a grant to each grant recipient in each of the fiscal years ending
3099-June 30, [2023] 2024, to June 30, [2025] 2026, inclusive, as follows: (1) For
3100-the fiscal year ending June 30, [2023] 2024, the amount of the grant shall
3101-be as determined by the commissioner under this subsection; (2) for the
3102-fiscal year ending June 30, [2024] 2025, the amount of the grant shall be Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
3103-
3104-Public Act No. 23-167 94 of 95
3105-
3106-the same amount as the grant awarded for the prior fiscal year; and (3)
3107-for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2025] 2026, the amount of the grant
3108-shall be seventy per cent of the amount of the grant awarded for the
3109-prior fiscal year.
3110-(d) Grant recipients shall file expenditure reports with the
3111-Commissioner of Education at such time and in such manner as the
3112-commissioner prescribes. A grant recipient shall only expend grant
3113-funds received under this section in accordance with the plan submitted
3114-pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, and a grant recipient may not
3115-use such grant funds received under this section for the purpose of any
3116-operating expenses that existed prior to receipt of such grant. Grant
3117-recipients shall refund to the Department of Education [(1) any
3118-unexpended amounts at the close of the fiscal year in which the grant
3119-was awarded, and (2)] any amounts not expended in accordance with
3120-the plan for which such grant application was approved.
3121-(e) Each grant recipient, in collaboration with the Department of
3122-Education, shall develop metrics to annually track and calculate the
3123-utilization rate of the grant program for such grant recipient in order to
3124-measure the success of the program. Such grant recipient shall annually
3125-submit such metrics and utilization rate to the department.
3126-(f) For the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section, the
3127-Department of Education may accept funds from private sources or any
3128-other state agency, gifts, grants and donations, including, but not
3129-limited to, in-kind contributions.
3130-(g) (1) Not later than January 1, [2024] 2025, and each January first
3131-thereafter, until and including January 1, [2026] 2027, the Commissioner
3132-of Education shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of
3133-section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the utilization rate for each grant
3134-recipient calculated pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, to the joint
3135-standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of Substitute Senate Bill No. 1
3136-
3137-Public Act No. 23-167 95 of 95
3138-
3139-matters relating to education and children.
3140-(2) Not later than January 1, [2026] 2027, the commissioner shall
3141-develop recommendations concerning (A) whether such grant program
3142-should be extended and funded for the fiscal year ending June 30, [2026]
3143-2027, and each fiscal year thereafter, and (B) the amount of the grant
3144-award under the program. The commissioner shall submit such
3145-recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of
3146-the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General
3147-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and
3148-children.
3149-Sec. 86. Section 10-3c of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective from
3150-passage)
3151-Sec. 87. Sections 10-222d, 10-222g, 10-222h, 10-222i, 10-222k and 10-
3152-222p of the general statutes are repealed. (Effective July 1, 2025)
316+ED Joint Favorable Subst.
317+APP Joint Favorable
3153318