CT
Connecticut House Bill HB05437

Connecticut 2024 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB05437 Compare Versions

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5+General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 5437
6+February Session, 2024
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4-Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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6-Public Act No. 24-45
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9-AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF, SCHOOL
10-DISCIPLINE AND DISCONNECTED YOUTH.
12+AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION MANDATE RELIEF.
1113 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
1214 Assembly convened:
1315
14-Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) There is established the
15-Education Mandate Review Advisory Council. The council shall advise
16-and provide annual reports to the joint standing committee of the
17-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education
18-on the cost and implementation of existing education mandates on local
19-and regional boards of education, as well as the impact of any proposals
20-relating to additions or revisions to such education mandates. Such
21-annual reports may include, but need not be limited to, (1) a review of
22-education mandates on local and regional boards of education in the
23-general statutes and the regulations of Connecticut state agencies for the
24-purpose of identifying those mandates that may be burdensome or have
25-the effect of limiting or restricting the provision of instruction or services
26-to students, including a detailed analysis of each such mandate so
27-identified, the specific statutory or regulation citation for such mandate
28-and how such mandate is imposed on a board of education, and (2) any
29-recommendations regarding the repeal of or amendment to any such
30-sections of the general statutes or regulations of Connecticut state
31-agencies. Substitute House Bill No. 5437
16+Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) There is established the 1
17+Educator Professional Development Mandate Review Advisory 2
18+Council. The council shall advise and provide annual reports to the joint 3
19+standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 4
20+matters relating to education on the cost and implementation of existing 5
21+mandates concerning educator professional development and in-service 6
22+training, as well as the impact of any proposals relating to additions or 7
23+revisions to such professional development and in-service training. 8
24+(b) The council shall consist of the following members: 9
25+(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 10
26+who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards 11
27+of Education; 12
28+(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who 13
29+shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public School 14
30+Superintendents; 15
31+(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 16
32+Representatives, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut 17 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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33-Public Act No. 24-45 2 of 43
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35-(b) The council shall consist of the following members:
36-(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
37-who shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Boards
38-of Education;
39-(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who
40-shall be a representative of the Connecticut Association of Public School
41-Superintendents;
42-(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of
43-Representatives, who shall be a representative of the Connecticut
44-Association of Schools;
45-(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be
46-a representative of the Connecticut Association of School Business
47-Officials;
48-(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
49-Representatives, who shall be a member of a local or regional board of
50-education;
51-(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be
52-a representative of the Connecticut Federation of School
53-Administrators;
54-(7) One appointed by the House chairperson of the joint standing
55-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
56-relating to education, who shall be a paraeducator in a public school in
57-this state;
58-(8) One appointed by the Senate chairperson of the joint standing
59-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
60-relating to education, who shall be a teacher in a public school in this
61-state; Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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63-Public Act No. 24-45 3 of 43
37+Association of Schools; 18
38+(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be 19
39+a representative of the Connecticut Association of School Business 20
40+Officials; 21
41+(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 22
42+Representatives, who shall be a member of a local or regional board of 23
43+education; 24
44+(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be 25
45+a representative of the Connecticut Federation of School 26
46+Administrators; 27
47+(7) One appointed by the House chairperson of the joint standing 28
48+committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 29
49+relating to education, who shall be a paraeducator in a public school in 30
50+this state; 31
51+(8) One appointed by the Senate chairperson of the joint standing 32
52+committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 33
53+relating to education, who shall be a teacher in a public school in this 34
54+state; 35
55+(9) One appointed by the House ranking member of the joint standing 36
56+committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters 37
57+relating to education, who shall be a paraeducator in a public school in 38
58+this state; and 39
59+(10) One appointed by the Senate ranking member of the joint 40
60+standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of 41
61+matters relating to education, who shall be a teacher in a public school 42
62+in this state. 43
63+(c) All initial appointments to the council shall be made not later than 44
64+August 1, 2024. The initial terms for the members appointed shall 45
65+terminate on January 31, 2029. Terms following the initial terms shall be 46
66+for five years. Any member of the council may serve more than one 47 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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65-(9) One appointed by the House ranking member of the joint standing
66-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
67-relating to education, who shall be a paraeducator in a public school in
68-this state; and
69-(10) One appointed by the Senate ranking member of the joint
70-standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
71-matters relating to education, who shall be a teacher in a public school
72-in this state.
73-(c) All initial appointments to the council shall be made not later than
74-August 1, 2024. The initial terms for the members appointed shall
75-terminate on January 31, 2029. Terms following the initial terms shall be
76-for five years. Any member of the council may serve more than one
77-term. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
78-(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president
79-pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the council
80-from among the members of the council. Such chairpersons shall
81-schedule the first meeting of the council, which shall be held not later
82-than October 1, 2024.
83-(e) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the
84-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education
85-shall serve as administrative staff of the council.
86-(f) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the council
87-shall develop and submit an annual report on its review of the
88-implementation and cost of statutory and regulatory education
89-mandates on local and regional boards of education. Such annual report
90-shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) a review of all existing
91-education mandates required by state law, (2) the costs incurred by local
92-and regional boards of education resulting from the implementation of
93-such education mandates, and (3) how such education mandates are Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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95-Public Act No. 24-45 4 of 43
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97-being implemented by local and regional boards of education,
98-including, but not limited to, the manner in which and how often such
99-education mandate is being implemented. The council shall submit such
100-report, and any recommendations for legislation, to the joint standing
101-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
102-relating to education and the Commissioner of Education, in accordance
103-with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
104-Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the 2024 supplement to the
105-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
106-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
107-(a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-
108-service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil
109-personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or
110-professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such
111-teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1)
112-the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in
113-section 21a-240, to health and personality development, and procedures
114-for discouraging their abuse, (2) health and mental health risk reduction
115-education that includes, but need not be limited to, the prevention of
116-risk-taking behavior by children and the relationship of such behavior
117-to substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, including
118-HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in section 19a-581, violence, teen
119-dating violence, domestic violence and child abuse, (3) school violence
120-prevention, conflict resolution [,] and the prevention of and response to
121-youth suicide, [and the identification and prevention of and response to
122-bullying, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10-222d, except that (A)
123-those boards of education that implement any evidence-based model
124-approach that is approved by the Department of Education and is
125-consistent with subsection (c) of section 10-145a, sections 10-222d, 10-
126-222g and 10-222h, subsection (g) of section 10-233c and sections 1 and 3
127-of public act 08-160, shall not be required to provide in-service training Substitute House Bill No. 5437
71+term. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. 48
72+(d) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president 49
73+pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the council 50
74+from among the members of the council. Such chairpersons shall 51
75+schedule the first meeting of the council, which shall be held not later 52
76+than October 1, 2024. 53
77+(e) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 54
78+General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education 55
79+shall serve as administrative staff of the council. 56
80+(f) Not later than January 1, 2025, and annually thereafter, the council 57
81+shall develop and submit an annual report on its review of the 58
82+implementation and cost of existing requirements relating to 59
83+professional development, as described in sections 10-148a, 10-148b and 60
84+10-148d of the general statutes, and in-service training, as described in 61
85+section 10-220a of the general statutes, as amended by this act, on 62
86+educators and local and regional boards of education. Such annual 63
87+report shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) a review of all 64
88+existing professional development and in-service training mandates 65
89+required by state and federal law, (2) the costs incurred by local and 66
90+regional boards of education resulting from the provision of such 67
91+professional development and in-service training, (3) how such 68
92+professional development and in-service training is being provided and 69
93+implemented by local and regional boards of education, including who 70
94+is receiving and completing such professional development and in-71
95+service training, and (4) the manner in which and how often such 72
96+professional development and in-service training is offered and 73
97+provided. The council shall submit such report, and any 74
98+recommendations for legislation, to the joint standing committee of the 75
99+General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education 76
100+and the Commissioner of Education, in accordance with the provisions 77
101+of section 11-4a of the general statutes. 78
102+Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the 2024 supplement to the 79 Substitute Bill No. 5437
128103
129-Public Act No. 24-45 5 of 43
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131-on the identification and prevention of and response to bullying, and
132-(B)] provided such school violence prevention training shall be in a
133-manner prescribed in a school security and safety plan, in accordance
134-with the provisions of section 10-222n, (4) cardiopulmonary
135-resuscitation and other emergency life saving procedures, (5) the
136-requirements and obligations of a mandated reporter, (6) the detection
137-and recognition of, and evidence-based structured literacy interventions
138-for, students with dyslexia, as defined in section 10-3d, [(7) culturally
139-responsive pedagogy and practice, including, but not limited to, the
140-video training module relating to implicit bias and anti-bias in the hiring
141-process in accordance with the provisions of section 10-156hh, (8) the
142-principles and practices of social-emotional learning and restorative
143-practices, (9)] (7) the laws governing the implementation of planning
144-and placement team meetings and concerning plans pursuant to Section
145-504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended from time to time,
146-[(10)] (8) an annual update of the new state and federal policies
147-concerning special education, recommendations and best practices, and
148-[(11)] (9) emergency response to students who experience a seizure in a
149-school, including, but not limited to, the recognition of the signs and
150-symptoms of seizures, the appropriate steps for seizure first aid,
151-information about seizure action plans for students and, for those
152-authorized to administer medication under section 10-212a, the
153-administration of seizure rescue medication or prescribed electrical
154-stimulation using a Vagus Nerve Stimulator magnet. The manner and
155-frequency of the provision of the information described in subdivisions
156-(1) to (9), inclusive, of this subsection shall be determined by the
157-professional development and evaluation committee, established
158-pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, provided such information is
159-provided at least once every five years. Each local or regional board of
160-education shall allow any [school] paraeducator or noncertified
161-employee to participate, on a voluntary basis, in any in-service training
162-program provided pursuant to this section. Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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164-Public Act No. 24-45 6 of 43
107+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 80
108+thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 81
109+(a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-82
110+service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil 83
111+personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or 84
112+professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such 85
113+teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1) 86
114+the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in 87
115+section 21a-240, to health and personality development, and procedures 88
116+for discouraging their abuse, (2) health and mental health risk reduction 89
117+education that includes, but need not be limited to, the prevention of 90
118+risk-taking behavior by children and the relationship of such behavior 91
119+to substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, including 92
120+HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in section 19a-581, violence, teen 93
121+dating violence, domestic violence and child abuse, (3) school violence 94
122+prevention, conflict resolution [,] and the prevention of and response to 95
123+youth suicide, [and the identification and prevention of and response to 96
124+bullying, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10-222d, except that (A) 97
125+those boards of education that implement any evidence-based model 98
126+approach that is approved by the Department of Education and is 99
127+consistent with subsection (c) of section 10-145a, sections 10-222d, 10-100
128+222g and 10-222h, subsection (g) of section 10-233c and sections 1 and 3 101
129+of public act 08-160, shall not be required to provide in-service training 102
130+on the identification and prevention of and response to bullying, and 103
131+(B)] provided such school violence prevention training shall be in a 104
132+manner prescribed in a school security and safety plan, in accordance 105
133+with the provisions of section 10-222n, (4) cardiopulmonary 106
134+resuscitation and other emergency life saving procedures, (5) the 107
135+requirements and obligations of a mandated reporter, (6) the detection 108
136+and recognition of, and evidence-based structured literacy interventions 109
137+for, students with dyslexia, as defined in section 10-3d, [(7) culturally 110
138+responsive pedagogy and practice, including, but not limited to, the 111
139+video training module relating to implicit bias and anti-bias in the hiring 112
140+process in accordance with the provisions of section 10-156hh, (8) the 113 Substitute Bill No. 5437
165141
166-Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the 2024 supplement to the
167-general statutes, as amended by section 60 of public act 23-167, is
168-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
169-2025):
170-(a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-
171-service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil
172-personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or
173-professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such
174-teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1)
175-the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in
176-[subdivision (17) of] section 21a-240, to health and personality
177-development, and procedures for discouraging their abuse, (2) health
178-and mental health risk reduction education that includes, but need not
179-be limited to, the prevention of risk-taking behavior by children and the
180-relationship of such behavior to substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually
181-transmitted diseases, including HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in
182-section 19a-581, violence, teen dating violence, domestic violence and
183-child abuse, (3) school violence prevention, conflict resolution [,] and the
184-prevention of and response to youth suicide, [and the identification and
185-prevention of and response to bullying, as defined in section 10-222aa,
186-except that those boards of education that implement any evidence-
187-based model approach that is approved by the Department of Education
188-and is consistent with subsection (c) of section 10-145a, subsection (g) of
189-section 10-233c and sections 1 and 3 of public act 08-160, shall not be
190-required to provide in-service training on the identification and
191-prevention of and response to bullying] provided such school violence
192-prevention training shall be in a manner prescribed in a school security
193-and safety plan, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-222n, (4)
194-cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other emergency life saving
195-procedures, (5) the requirements and obligations of a mandated
196-reporter, (6) the detection and recognition of, and evidence-based
197-structured literacy interventions for, students with dyslexia, as defined Substitute House Bill No. 5437
198142
199-Public Act No. 24-45 7 of 43
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201-in section 10-3d, (7) [culturally responsive pedagogy and practice,
202-including, but not limited to, the video training module relating to
203-implicit bias and anti-bias in the hiring process in accordance with the
204-provisions of section 10-156hh, and (8) the principles and practices of
205-social-emotional learning and restorative practices] the laws governing
206-the implementation of planning and placement team meetings and
207-concerning plans pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of
208-1973, as amended from time to time, (8) an annual update of the new
209-state and federal policies concerning special education,
210-recommendations and best practices, and (9) emergency response to
211-students who experience a seizure in a school, including, but not limited
212-to, the recognition of the signs and symptoms of seizures, the
213-appropriate steps for seizure first aid, information about seizure action
214-plans for students and, for those authorized to administer medication
215-under section 10-212a, the administration of seizure rescue medication
216-or prescribed electrical stimulation using a Vagus Nerve Stimulator
217-magnet. The manner and frequency of the provision of the information
218-described in subdivisions (1) to (9), inclusive, of this subsection shall be
219-determined by the professional development and evaluation committee,
220-established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, provided such
221-information is provided at least once every five years. Each local or
222-regional board of education may allow any [paraprofessional]
223-paraeducator or noncertified employee to participate, on a voluntary
224-basis, in any in-service training program provided pursuant to this
225-section.
226-Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 10-222d of the general statutes is
227-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
228-2024):
229-(b) Each local and regional board of education shall develop and
230-implement a safe school climate plan to address the existence of bullying
231-and teen dating violence in its schools. Such plan shall: (1) Enable Substitute House Bill No. 5437
145+principles and practices of social-emotional learning and restorative 114
146+practices, (9)] (7) the laws governing the implementation of planning 115
147+and placement team meetings and concerning plans pursuant to Section 116
148+504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended from time to time, 117
149+[(10)] (8) an annual update of the new state and federal policies 118
150+concerning special education, recommendations and best practices, and 119
151+[(11)] (9) emergency response to students who experience a seizure in a 120
152+school, including, but not limited to, the recognition of the signs and 121
153+symptoms of seizures, the appropriate steps for seizure first aid, 122
154+information about seizure action plans for students and, for those 123
155+authorized to administer medication under section 10-212a, the 124
156+administration of seizure rescue medication or prescribed electrical 125
157+stimulation using a Vagus Nerve Stimulator magnet. The manner and 126
158+frequency of the provision of the information described in subdivisions 127
159+(1) to (9), inclusive, of this subsection shall be determined by the 128
160+professional development and evaluation committee, established 129
161+pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, provided such information is 130
162+provided at least once every five years. Each local or regional board of 131
163+education shall allow any school paraeducator or noncertified employee 132
164+to participate, on a voluntary basis, in any in-service training program 133
165+provided pursuant to this section. 134
166+Sec. 3. Subsection (a) of section 10-220a of the 2024 supplement to the 135
167+general statutes, as amended by section 60 of public act 23-167, is 136
168+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 137
169+2025): 138
170+(a) Each local or regional board of education shall provide an in-139
171+service training program for its teachers, administrators and pupil 140
172+personnel who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or 141
173+professional educator certificate. Such program shall provide such 142
174+teachers, administrators and pupil personnel with information on (1) 143
175+the nature and the relationship of alcohol and drugs, as defined in 144
176+subdivision (17) of section 21a-240, to health and personality 145
177+development, and procedures for discouraging their abuse, (2) health 146
178+and mental health risk reduction education that includes, but need not 147 Substitute Bill No. 5437
232179
233-Public Act No. 24-45 8 of 43
234180
235-students to anonymously report acts of bullying to school employees
236-and require students and the parents or guardians of students to be
237-notified at the beginning of each school year of the process by which
238-students may make such reports, (2) enable the parents or guardians of
239-students to file written reports of suspected bullying, (3) require school
240-employees who witness acts of bullying or receive reports of bullying to
241-orally notify the safe school climate specialist, described in section 10-
242-222k, or another school administrator if the safe school climate specialist
243-is unavailable, not later than one school day after such school employee
244-witnesses or receives a report of bullying, and to file a written report not
245-later than two school days after making such oral report, (4) require the
246-safe school climate specialist to investigate or supervise the
247-investigation of all reports of bullying and ensure that such
248-investigation is completed promptly after receipt of any written reports
249-made under this section and that the parents or guardians of the student
250-alleged to have committed an act or acts of bullying and the parents or
251-guardians of the student against whom such alleged act or acts were
252-directed receive prompt notice that such investigation has commenced,
253-(5) require the safe school climate specialist to review any anonymous
254-reports, except that no disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the
255-basis of an anonymous report, (6) include a prevention and intervention
256-strategy, as defined by section 10-222g, for school employees to deal
257-with bullying and teen dating violence, (7) provide for the inclusion of
258-language in student codes of conduct concerning bullying, (8) require
259-each school to notify the parents or guardians of students who commit
260-any verified acts of bullying and the parents or guardians of students
261-against whom such acts were directed not later than forty-eight hours
262-after the completion of the investigation described in subdivision (4) of
263-this subsection (A) of the results of such investigation, and (B) verbally
264-and by electronic mail, if such parents' or guardians' electronic mail
265-addresses are known, that such parents or guardians may refer to the
266-plain language explanation of the rights and remedies available under
267-sections 10-4a and 10-4b published on the Internet web site of the local Substitute House Bill No. 5437
181+LCO 6 of 22
268182
269-Public Act No. 24-45 9 of 43
183+be limited to, the prevention of risk-taking behavior by children and the 148
184+relationship of such behavior to substance abuse, pregnancy, sexually 149
185+transmitted diseases, including HIV-infection and AIDS, as defined in 150
186+section 19a-581, violence, teen dating violence, domestic violence and 151
187+child abuse, (3) school violence prevention, conflict resolution [,] and the 152
188+prevention of and response to youth suicide, [and the identification and 153
189+prevention of and response to bullying, as defined in section 10-222aa, 154
190+except that those boards of education that implement any evidence-155
191+based model approach that is approved by the Department of Education 156
192+and is consistent with subsection (c) of section 10-145a, subsection (g) of 157
193+section 10-233c and sections 1 and 3 of public act 08-160, shall not be 158
194+required to provide in-service training on the identification and 159
195+prevention of and response to bullying,] (4) cardiopulmonary 160
196+resuscitation and other emergency life saving procedures, (5) the 161
197+requirements and obligations of a mandated reporter, and (6) the 162
198+detection and recognition of, and evidence-based structured literacy 163
199+interventions for, students with dyslexia, as defined in section 10-3d. [, 164
200+(7) culturally responsive pedagogy and practice, including, but not 165
201+limited to, the video training module relating to implicit bias and anti-166
202+bias in the hiring process in accordance with the provisions of section 167
203+10-156hh, and (8) the principles and practices of social-emotional 168
204+learning and restorative practices.] The manner and frequency of the 169
205+provision of the information described in subdivisions (1) to (6), 170
206+inclusive, of this subsection shall be determined by the professional 171
207+development and evaluation committee, established pursuant to 172
208+subsection (b) of this section, provided such information is provided at 173
209+least once every five years. Each local or regional board of education 174
210+may allow any [paraprofessional] paraeducator or noncertified 175
211+employee to participate, on a voluntary basis, in any in-service training 176
212+program provided pursuant to this section. 177
213+Sec. 4. Subsection (b) of section 10-222d of the general statutes is 178
214+repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 179
215+2024): 180
216+(b) Each local and regional board of education shall develop and 181 Substitute Bill No. 5437
270217
271-or regional board of education pursuant to section 10-222r, (9) require
272-each school to invite the parents or guardians of a student against whom
273-such act was directed to a meeting to communicate to such parents or
274-guardians the measures being taken by the school to ensure the safety
275-of the student against whom such act was directed and policies and
276-procedures in place to prevent further acts of bullying, (10) require each
277-school to invite the parents or guardians of a student who commits any
278-verified act of bullying to a meeting, separate and distinct from the
279-meeting required in subdivision (9) of this subsection, to discuss specific
280-interventions undertaken by the school to prevent further acts of
281-bullying, (11) establish a procedure for each school to document and
282-maintain records relating to reports and investigations of bullying in
283-such school and to maintain a list of the number of verified acts of
284-bullying in such school and make such list available for public
285-inspection, and annually report such number to the Department of
286-Education, and in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of
287-Education, (12) direct the development of case-by-case interventions for
288-addressing repeated incidents of bullying against a single individual or
289-recurrently perpetrated bullying incidents by the same individual that
290-may include both counseling and discipline, (13) prohibit
291-discrimination and retaliation against an individual who reports or
292-assists in the investigation of an act of bullying, (14) direct the
293-development of student safety support plans for students against whom
294-an act of bullying was directed that address safety measures the school
295-will take to protect such students against further acts of bullying, (15)
296-require the principal of a school, or the principal's designee, to notify the
297-appropriate local law enforcement agency when such principal, or the
298-principal's designee, believes that any acts of bullying constitute
299-criminal conduct, (16) prohibit bullying (A) on school grounds, at a
300-school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program
301-whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus
302-or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of
303-education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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307-mobile device owned, leased or used by the local or regional board of
308-education, and (B) outside of the school setting if such bullying (i)
309-creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom
310-such bullying was directed, or (ii) infringes on the rights of the student
311-against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially
312-disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school, (17)
313-require, at the beginning of each school year, each school to provide all
314-school employees with a written or electronic copy of the school
315-district's safe school climate plan, and (18) require that all school
316-employees annually complete the training described in [section 10-220a
317-or] section 10-222j. The notification required pursuant to subdivision (8)
318-of this subsection and the invitation required pursuant to subdivision
319-(9) of this subsection shall include a description of the response of school
320-employees to such acts and any consequences that may result from the
321-commission of further acts of bullying.
322-Sec. 5. Section 10-233m of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
323-is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
324-1, 2024):
325-Each local or regional board of education that assigns a school
326-resource officer to any school under the jurisdiction of such board shall
327-enter into a memorandum of understanding with a local law
328-enforcement agency regarding the role and responsibility of such school
329-resource officer. Such memorandum of understanding shall (1) be
330-maintained in a central location in the school district and posted on the
331-Internet web site of the school district and each school in which such
332-school resource officer is assigned, (2) include provisions addressing
333-daily interactions between students and school personnel with school
334-resource officers, and (3) include a graduated response model for
335-student discipline. Any such memorandum of understanding entered
336-into, extended, updated or amended (A) on or after July 1, 2021, shall
337-include a provision that requires all school resource officers to complete, Substitute House Bill No. 5437
221+implement a safe school climate plan to address the existence of bullying 182
222+and teen dating violence in its schools. Such plan shall: (1) Enable 183
223+students to anonymously report acts of bullying to school employees 184
224+and require students and the parents or guardians of students to be 185
225+notified at the beginning of each school year of the process by which 186
226+students may make such reports, (2) enable the parents or guardians of 187
227+students to file written reports of suspected bullying, (3) require school 188
228+employees who witness acts of bullying or receive reports of bullying to 189
229+orally notify the safe school climate specialist, described in section 10-190
230+222k, or another school administrator if the safe school climate specialist 191
231+is unavailable, not later than one school day after such school employee 192
232+witnesses or receives a report of bullying, and to file a written report not 193
233+later than two school days after making such oral report, (4) require the 194
234+safe school climate specialist to investigate or supervise the 195
235+investigation of all reports of bullying and ensure that such 196
236+investigation is completed promptly after receipt of any written reports 197
237+made under this section and that the parents or guardians of the student 198
238+alleged to have committed an act or acts of bullying and the parents or 199
239+guardians of the student against whom such alleged act or acts were 200
240+directed receive prompt notice that such investigation has commenced, 201
241+(5) require the safe school climate specialist to review any anonymous 202
242+reports, except that no disciplinary action shall be taken solely on the 203
243+basis of an anonymous report, (6) include a prevention and intervention 204
244+strategy, as defined by section 10-222g, for school employees to deal 205
245+with bullying and teen dating violence, (7) provide for the inclusion of 206
246+language in student codes of conduct concerning bullying, (8) require 207
247+each school to notify the parents or guardians of students who commit 208
248+any verified acts of bullying and the parents or guardians of students 209
249+against whom such acts were directed not later than forty-eight hours 210
250+after the completion of the investigation described in subdivision (4) of 211
251+this subsection (A) of the results of such investigation, and (B) verbally 212
252+and by electronic mail, if such parents' or guardians' electronic mail 213
253+addresses are known, that such parents or guardians may refer to the 214
254+plain language explanation of the rights and remedies available under 215
255+sections 10-4a and 10-4b published on the Internet web site of the local 216 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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341-while in the performance of their duties as school resource officers and
342-during periods when such school resource officers are assigned to be at
343-the school, any separate training specifically related to social-emotional
344-learning and restorative practices provided to certified employees of the
345-school pursuant to [sections] section 10-148a, [and 10-220a,] and (B) on
346-or after July 1, 2023, shall include provisions specifying a school
347-resource officer's duties concerning, and procedures for, the restraint of
348-students, use of firearms, school-based arrests and reporting of any
349-investigations and behavioral interventions of challenging behavior or
350-conflict that escalates to violence or constitutes a crime, pursuant to the
351-provisions of section 10-233p, as amended by this act, provided such
352-provisions are in accordance with any laws or policies concerning the
353-duties of police officers. For the purposes of this section, "school
354-resource officer" means a sworn police officer of a local law enforcement
355-agency who has been assigned to a school pursuant to an agreement
356-between the local or regional board of education and the chief of police
357-of a local law enforcement agency.
358-Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 22a-226e of the 2024 supplement to
359-the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
360-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
361-(a) (1) On and after January 1, 2014, each commercial food wholesaler
362-or distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket,
363-resort or conference center that is located not more than twenty miles
364-from an authorized source-separated organic material composting
365-facility and that generates an average projected volume of not less than
366-one hundred four tons per year of source-separated organic materials
367-shall: (A) Separate such source-separated organic materials from other
368-solid waste; and (B) ensure that such source-separated organic materials
369-are recycled at any authorized source-separated organic material
370-composting facility that has available capacity and that will accept such
371-source-separated organic material. Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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260+or regional board of education pursuant to section 10-222r, (9) require 217
261+each school to invite the parents or guardians of a student against whom 218
262+such act was directed to a meeting to communicate to such parents or 219
263+guardians the measures being taken by the school to ensure the safety 220
264+of the student against whom such act was directed and policies and 221
265+procedures in place to prevent further acts of bullying, (10) require each 222
266+school to invite the parents or guardians of a student who commits any 223
267+verified act of bullying to a meeting, separate and distinct from the 224
268+meeting required in subdivision (9) of this subsection, to discuss specific 225
269+interventions undertaken by the school to prevent further acts of 226
270+bullying, (11) establish a procedure for each school to document and 227
271+maintain records relating to reports and investigations of bullying in 228
272+such school and to maintain a list of the number of verified acts of 229
273+bullying in such school and make such list available for public 230
274+inspection, and annually report such number to the Department of 231
275+Education, and in such manner as prescribed by the Commissioner of 232
276+Education, (12) direct the development of case-by-case interventions for 233
277+addressing repeated incidents of bullying against a single individual or 234
278+recurrently perpetrated bullying incidents by the same individual that 235
279+may include both counseling and discipline, (13) prohibit 236
280+discrimination and retaliation against an individual who reports or 237
281+assists in the investigation of an act of bullying, (14) direct the 238
282+development of student safety support plans for students against whom 239
283+an act of bullying was directed that address safety measures the school 240
284+will take to protect such students against further acts of bullying, (15) 241
285+require the principal of a school, or the principal's designee, to notify the 242
286+appropriate local law enforcement agency when such principal, or the 243
287+principal's designee, believes that any acts of bullying constitute 244
288+criminal conduct, (16) prohibit bullying (A) on school grounds, at a 245
289+school-sponsored or school-related activity, function or program 246
290+whether on or off school grounds, at a school bus stop, on a school bus 247
291+or other vehicle owned, leased or used by a local or regional board of 248
292+education, or through the use of an electronic device or an electronic 249
293+mobile device owned, leased or used by the local or regional board of 250
294+education, and (B) outside of the school setting if such bullying (i) 251 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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375-(2) On and after January 1, 2020, each commercial food wholesaler or
376-distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket,
377-resort or conference center that is located not more than twenty miles
378-from an authorized source-separated organic material composting
379-facility and that generates an average projected volume of not less than
380-fifty-two tons per year of source-separated organic materials shall: (A)
381-Separate such source-separated organic materials from other solid
382-waste; and (B) ensure that such source-separated organic materials are
383-recycled at any authorized source-separated organic material
384-composting facility that has available capacity and that will accept such
385-source-separated organic material.
386-(3) On and after January 1, 2022, each commercial food wholesaler or
387-distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket,
388-resort or conference center that is located not more than twenty miles
389-from either an authorized source-separated organic material
390-composting facility an authorized transfer station or any collection
391-location authorized to receive source-separated organic materials, and
392-that generates an average projected volume of not less than twenty-six
393-tons per year of source-separated organic materials shall: (A) Separate
394-such source-separated organic materials from other solid waste; and (B)
395-ensure that such source-separated organic materials are recycled at any
396-authorized source-separated organic material composting facility that
397-has available capacity and that will accept such source-separated
398-organic material.
399-(4) On and after January 1, 2025, each commercial food wholesaler or
400-distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket,
401-resort, conference center or institution that generates an average
402-projected volume of not less than twenty-six tons per year of source-
403-separated organic materials shall: (A) Separate such source-separated
404-organic materials from other solid waste; and (B) ensure that such
405-source-separated organic materials are recycled at any authorized Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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409-source-separated organic material composting facility that has available
410-capacity and that will accept such source-separated organic material.
411-For the purposes of this section "institution" means any establishment
412-engaged in providing hospitality, entertainment or rehabilitation and
413-health care services, and any hospital, public or [private educational]
414-independent institution of higher education building or facility or
415-correctional facility.
416-(5) On and after July 1, 2026, each public or nonpublic school building
417-or educational facility in which students in grades kindergarten to
418-twelve, inclusive, or any combination thereof, are enrolled, that is
419-located not more than twenty miles from either an authorized source-
420-separated organic material composting facility and that generates an
421-average projected volume of not less than twenty-six tons per year of
422-source-separated organic materials shall: (A) Separate such source-
423-separated organic materials from other solid waste; and (B) ensure that
424-such source-separated organic materials are recycled at any authorized
425-source-separated organic material composting facility that has available
426-capacity and that will accept such source-separated organic material.
427-Sec. 7. Section 10-248a of the general statutes is repealed and the
428-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
429-For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2020] 2024, and each fiscal year
430-thereafter, notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any
431-special act, municipal charter, home rule ordinance or other ordinance,
432-[the board of finance in each town having a board of finance, the board
433-of selectmen in each town having no board of finance or the authority
434-making appropriations for the school district for each town] a local
435-board of education may deposit into a nonlapsing account any
436-unexpended funds from the prior fiscal year from the budgeted
437-appropriation for education, [for the town,] provided (1) such deposited
438-amount does not exceed two per cent of the total budgeted
439-appropriation for education for such prior fiscal year, (2) each Substitute House Bill No. 5437
299+creates a hostile environment at school for the student against whom 252
300+such bullying was directed, or (ii) infringes on the rights of the student 253
301+against whom such bullying was directed at school, or (iii) substantially 254
302+disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school, (17) 255
303+require, at the beginning of each school year, each school to provide all 256
304+school employees with a written or electronic copy of the school 257
305+district's safe school climate plan, and (18) require that all school 258
306+employees annually complete the training described in [section 10-220a 259
307+or] section 10-222j. The notification required pursuant to subdivision (8) 260
308+of this subsection and the invitation required pursuant to subdivision 261
309+(9) of this subsection shall include a description of the response of school 262
310+employees to such acts and any consequences that may result from the 263
311+commission of further acts of bullying. 264
312+Sec. 5. Section 10-233m of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes 265
313+is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 266
314+1, 2024): 267
315+Each local or regional board of education that assigns a school 268
316+resource officer to any school under the jurisdiction of such board shall 269
317+enter into a memorandum of understanding with a local law 270
318+enforcement agency regarding the role and responsibility of such school 271
319+resource officer. Such memorandum of understanding shall (1) be 272
320+maintained in a central location in the school district and posted on the 273
321+Internet web site of the school district and each school in which such 274
322+school resource officer is assigned, (2) include provisions addressing 275
323+daily interactions between students and school personnel with school 276
324+resource officers, and (3) include a graduated response model for 277
325+student discipline. Any such memorandum of understanding entered 278
326+into, extended, updated or amended (A) on or after July 1, 2021, shall 279
327+include a provision that requires all school resource officers to complete, 280
328+while in the performance of their duties as school resource officers and 281
329+during periods when such school resource officers are assigned to be at 282
330+the school, any separate training specifically related to social-emotional 283
331+learning and restorative practices provided to certified employees of the 284
332+school pursuant to [sections] section 10-148a, [and 10-220a,] and (B) on 285 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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443-expenditure from such account shall be made only for educational
444-purposes, and (3) each such expenditure shall be authorized by the local
445-board of education for such town.
446-Sec. 8. Subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 10-51 of the general
447-statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
448-(Effective from passage):
449-(2) [On and after June 7, 2006] For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024,
450-and each fiscal year thereafter, a regional board of education, by a
451-majority vote of its members, may create a reserve fund for [capital and
452-nonrecurring] educational expenditures. Such fund shall thereafter be
453-termed ["reserve fund for capital and nonrecurring expenditures"]
454-"reserve fund for educational expenditures". The aggregate amount of
455-annual and supplemental appropriations by a district to such fund shall
456-not exceed two per cent of the annual district budget for such fiscal year.
457-Annual appropriations to such fund shall be included in the share of net
458-expenses to be paid by each member town. Supplemental
459-appropriations to such fund may be made from estimated fiscal year
460-end surplus in operating funds. Interest and investment earnings
461-received with respect to amounts held in the fund shall be credited to
462-such fund. The board shall annually submit a complete and detailed
463-report of the condition of such fund to the member towns. Upon the
464-recommendation and approval by the regional board of education, any
465-part or the whole of such fund may be used for [capital and
466-nonrecurring] educational expenditures. [, but such use shall be
467-restricted to the funding of all or part of the planning, construction,
468-reconstruction or acquisition of any specific capital improvement or the
469-acquisition of any specific item of equipment.] Upon the approval of any
470-such expenditure an appropriation shall be set up, plainly designated
471-for the [project or acquisition] educational expenditure for which it has
472-been authorized. [, and such unexpended appropriation may be
473-continued until such project or acquisition is completed.] Any Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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337+or after July 1, 2023, shall include provisions specifying a school 286
338+resource officer's duties concerning, and procedures for, the restraint of 287
339+students, use of firearms, school-based arrests and reporting of any 288
340+investigations and behavioral interventions of challenging behavior or 289
341+conflict that escalates to violence or constitutes a crime, pursuant to the 290
342+provisions of section 10-233p, provided such provisions are in 291
343+accordance with any laws or policies concerning the duties of police 292
344+officers. For the purposes of this section, "school resource officer" means 293
345+a sworn police officer of a local law enforcement agency who has been 294
346+assigned to a school pursuant to an agreement between the local or 295
347+regional board of education and the chief of police of a local law 296
348+enforcement agency. 297
349+Sec. 6. Subsection (a) of section 22a-226e of the 2024 supplement to 298
350+the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 299
351+thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 300
352+(a) (1) On and after January 1, 2014, each commercial food wholesaler 301
353+or distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket, 302
354+resort or conference center that is located not more than twenty miles 303
355+from an authorized source-separated organic material composting 304
356+facility and that generates an average projected volume of not less than 305
357+one hundred four tons per year of source-separated organic materials 306
358+shall: (A) Separate such source-separated organic materials from other 307
359+solid waste; and (B) ensure that such source-separated organic materials 308
360+are recycled at any authorized source-separated organic material 309
361+composting facility that has available capacity and that will accept such 310
362+source-separated organic material. 311
363+(2) On and after January 1, 2020, each commercial food wholesaler or 312
364+distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket, 313
365+resort or conference center that is located not more than twenty miles 314
366+from an authorized source-separated organic material composting 315
367+facility and that generates an average projected volume of not less than 316
368+fifty-two tons per year of source-separated organic materials shall: (A) 317
369+Separate such source-separated organic materials from other solid 318 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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477-unexpended portion of such appropriation remaining [after such
478-completion] shall revert to said fund. If any authorized appropriation is
479-set up pursuant to the provisions of this subsection and through
480-unforeseen circumstances [the completion of the project or acquisition
481-for which such appropriation has been designated is impossible to
482-attain] the board is unable to expend the total amount of such
483-appropriation, the board, by a majority vote of its members, may
484-terminate such appropriation which then shall no longer be in effect.
485-Such fund may be discontinued, after the recommendation and
486-approval by the regional board of education, and any amounts held in
487-the fund shall be transferred to the general fund of the district.
488-Sec. 9. Section 10-221a of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
489-is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
490-1, 2024):
491-(a) For classes graduating from 1988 to 2003, inclusive, no local or
492-regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from
493-high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily
494-completed a minimum of twenty credits, not fewer than four of which
495-shall be in English, not fewer than three in mathematics, not fewer than
496-three in social studies, not fewer than two in science, not fewer than one
497-in the arts or vocational education and not fewer than one in physical
498-education.
499-(b) For classes graduating from 2004 to 2022, inclusive, no local or
500-regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from
501-high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily
502-completed a minimum of twenty credits, not fewer than four of which
503-shall be in English, not fewer than three in mathematics, not fewer than
504-three in social studies, including at least a one-half credit course on
505-civics and American government, not fewer than two in science, not
506-fewer than one in the arts or vocational education and not fewer than
507-one in physical education. Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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511-(c) [Commencing with] For classes graduating [in] from 2023 [, and
512-for each graduating class thereafter] to 2026, inclusive, no local or
513-regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from
514-high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily
515-completed a minimum of twenty-five credits, including not fewer than:
516-(1) Nine credits in the humanities, including civics and the arts; (2) nine
517-credits in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; (3) one
518-credit in physical education and wellness; (4) one credit in health and
519-safety education, as described in section 10-16b; and (5) one credit in
520-world languages, subject to the provisions of subsection [(h)] (g) of this
521-section. A local or regional board of education may require a student to
522-complete a one credit mastery-based diploma assessment in order to
523-graduate from high school or be granted a diploma.
524-[(d) Commencing with classes graduating in 2025, and for each
525-graduating class thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall
526-permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to
527-any student who has not satisfied the requirements of section 10-221z
528-and not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty-five credits,
529-including not fewer than: (1) Nine credits in the humanities, including
530-civics and the arts; (2) nine credits in science, technology, engineering
531-and mathematics; (3) one credit in physical education and wellness; (4)
532-one credit in health and safety education, as described in section 10-16b;
533-and (5) one credit in world languages, subject to the provisions of
534-subsection (h) of this section. A local or regional board of education may
535-require a student to complete a one credit mastery-based diploma
536-assessment in order to graduate from high school or be granted a
537-diploma.]
538-[(e)] (d) Commencing with classes graduating in 2027, and for each
539-graduating class thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall
540-permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to
541-any student who has not satisfied the requirements of section 10-221z, Substitute House Bill No. 5437
374+waste; and (B) ensure that such source-separated organic materials are 319
375+recycled at any authorized source-separated organic material 320
376+composting facility that has available capacity and that will accept such 321
377+source-separated organic material. 322
378+(3) On and after January 1, 2022, each commercial food wholesaler or 323
379+distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket, 324
380+resort or conference center that is located not more than twenty miles 325
381+from either an authorized source-separated organic material 326
382+composting facility an authorized transfer station or any collection 327
383+location authorized to receive source-separated organic materials, and 328
384+that generates an average projected volume of not less than twenty-six 329
385+tons per year of source-separated organic materials shall: (A) Separate 330
386+such source-separated organic materials from other solid waste; and (B) 331
387+ensure that such source-separated organic materials are recycled at any 332
388+authorized source-separated organic material composting facility that 333
389+has available capacity and that will accept such source-separated 334
390+organic material. 335
391+(4) On and after January 1, 2025, each commercial food wholesaler or 336
392+distributor, industrial food manufacturer or processor, supermarket, 337
393+resort, conference center or institution that generates an average 338
394+projected volume of not less than twenty-six tons per year of source-339
395+separated organic materials shall: (A) Separate such source-separated 340
396+organic materials from other solid waste; and (B) ensure that such 341
397+source-separated organic materials are recycled at any authorized 342
398+source-separated organic material composting facility that has available 343
399+capacity and that will accept such source-separated organic material. 344
400+For the purposes of this section "institution" means any establishment 345
401+engaged in providing hospitality, entertainment or rehabilitation and 346
402+health care services, and any hospital [, public or private educational 347
403+facility] or correctional facility. 348
404+(5) On and after July 1, 2026, each public or private educational 349
405+facility that is located not more than twenty miles from either an 350
406+authorized source-separated organic material composting facility and 351 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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545-as amended by this act, and not satisfactorily completed a minimum of
546-twenty-five credits, including not fewer than: (1) Nine credits in the
547-humanities, including civics and the arts; (2) nine credits in science,
548-technology, engineering and mathematics; (3) one credit in physical
549-education and wellness; (4) one credit in health and safety education, as
550-described in section 10-16b; (5) one credit in world languages, subject to
551-the provisions of subsection [(h)] (g) of this section; and (6) one-half
552-credit in personal financial management and financial literacy, which
553-may count towards the requirement described in subdivision (1) or (2)
554-of this subsection or as an elective credit. [A local or regional board of
555-education may require a student to complete a one credit mastery-based
556-diploma assessment in order to graduate from high school or be granted
557-a diploma.]
558-[(f)] (e) Commencing with classes graduating in 2023, and for each
559-graduating class thereafter, local and regional boards of education shall
560-provide adequate student support and remedial services for students
561-beginning in grade seven. Such student support and remedial services
562-shall provide alternate means for a student to complete any of the high
563-school graduation requirements described in subsections (c) [to (e),
564-inclusive,] and (d) of this section, if such student is unable to
565-satisfactorily complete any of the required courses or exams. Such
566-student support and remedial services shall include, but not be limited
567-to, (1) allowing students to retake courses in summer school or through
568-an on-line course; (2) allowing students to enroll in a class offered at a
569-constituent unit of the state system of higher education, as defined in
570-section 10a-1, pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection [(i)] (h) of this
571-section; (3) allowing students who received a failing score, as
572-determined by the Commissioner of Education, on an end of the school
573-year exam to take an alternate form of the exam; and (4) allowing those
574-students whose individualized education programs state that such
575-students are eligible for an alternate assessment to demonstrate
576-competency on any of the five core courses through success on such Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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411+that generates an average projected volume of not less than twenty-six 352
412+tons per year of source-separated organic materials shall: (A) Separate 353
413+such source-separated organic materials from other solid waste; and (B) 354
414+ensure that such source-separated organic materials are recycled at any 355
415+authorized source-separated organic material composting facility that 356
416+has available capacity and that will accept such source-separated 357
417+organic material. 358
418+Sec. 7. Section 10-221a of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes 359
419+is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 360
420+1, 2024): 361
421+(a) For classes graduating from 1988 to 2003, inclusive, no local or 362
422+regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from 363
423+high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily 364
424+completed a minimum of twenty credits, not fewer than four of which 365
425+shall be in English, not fewer than three in mathematics, not fewer than 366
426+three in social studies, not fewer than two in science, not fewer than one 367
427+in the arts or vocational education and not fewer than one in physical 368
428+education. 369
429+(b) For classes graduating from 2004 to 2022, inclusive, no local or 370
430+regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from 371
431+high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily 372
432+completed a minimum of twenty credits, not fewer than four of which 373
433+shall be in English, not fewer than three in mathematics, not fewer than 374
434+three in social studies, including at least a one-half credit course on 375
435+civics and American government, not fewer than two in science, not 376
436+fewer than one in the arts or vocational education and not fewer than 377
437+one in physical education. 378
438+(c) [Commencing with] For classes graduating [in] from 2023 [, and 379
439+for each graduating class thereafter] to 2026, inclusive, no local or 380
440+regional board of education shall permit any student to graduate from 381
441+high school or grant a diploma to any student who has not satisfactorily 382
442+completed a minimum of twenty-five credits, including not fewer than: 383 Substitute Bill No. 5437
579443
580-alternate assessment.
581-[(g)] (f) Any student who presents a certificate from a physician,
582-physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse stating that, in
583-the opinion of the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice
584-registered nurse, participation in physical education is medically
585-contraindicated because of the physical condition of such student, shall
586-be excused from the physical education requirement, provided the
587-credit for physical education may be fulfilled by an elective.
588-[(h)] (g) Determination of eligible credits shall be at the discretion of
589-the local or regional board of education, provided the primary focus of
590-the curriculum of eligible credits corresponds directly to the subject
591-matter of the specified course requirements. The local or regional board
592-of education may permit a student to graduate during a period of
593-expulsion pursuant to section 10-233d, if the board determines the
594-student has satisfactorily completed the necessary credits pursuant to
595-this section. The requirements of this section shall apply to any student
596-requiring special education pursuant to section 10-76a, except when the
597-planning and placement team for such student determines the
598-requirement not to be appropriate. For purposes of this section, a credit
599-shall consist of not less than the equivalent of a forty-minute class period
600-for each school day of a school year except for a credit or part of a credit
601-toward high school graduation earned (1) at an institution accredited by
602-the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher
603-Education or regionally accredited, (2) through on-line coursework that
604-is in accordance with a policy adopted pursuant to subsection [(i)] (h) of
605-this section, or (3) through a demonstration of mastery based on
606-competency and performance standards, in accordance with guidelines
607-adopted by the State Board of Education.
608-[(i)] (h) Only courses taken in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, and
609-that are in accordance with the state-wide subject matter content
610-standards, adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to section Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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614-10-4, shall satisfy the graduation requirements set forth in this section,
615-except that a local or regional board of education may grant a student
616-credit (1) toward meeting the high school graduation requirements
617-upon the successful demonstration of mastery of the subject matter
618-content described in this section achieved through educational
619-experiences and opportunities that provide flexible and multiple
620-pathways to learning, including cross -curricular graduation
621-requirements, career and technical education, virtual learning, work-
622-based learning, service learning, dual enrollment and early college,
623-courses taken in middle school, internships and student-designed
624-independent studies, provided such demonstration of mastery is in
625-accordance with such state-wide subject matter content standards; (2)
626-toward meeting a specified course requirement upon the successful
627-completion in grade seven or eight of any course, the primary focus of
628-which corresponds directly to the subject matter of a specified course
629-requirement in grades nine to twelve, inclusive; (3) toward meeting the
630-high school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of
631-a world language course (A) in grade six, seven or eight, (B) through on-
632-line coursework, or (C) offered privately through a nonprofit provider,
633-provided such student achieves a passing grade on an examination
634-prescribed, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of
635-Education and such credits do not exceed four; (4) toward meeting the
636-high school graduation requirement upon achievement of a passing
637-grade on a subject area proficiency examination identified and
638-approved, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of
639-Education, regardless of the number of hours the student spent in a
640-public school classroom learning such subject matter; (5) toward
641-meeting the high school graduation requirement upon the successful
642-completion of coursework during the school year or summer months at
643-an institution accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education
644-or Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited. One three-credit
645-semester course, or its equivalent, at such an institution shall equal one-
646-half credit for purposes of this section; (6) toward meeting the high Substitute House Bill No. 5437
447+(1) Nine credits in the humanities, including civics and the arts; (2) nine 384
448+credits in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; (3) one 385
449+credit in physical education and wellness; (4) one credit in health and 386
450+safety education, as described in section 10-16b; and (5) one credit in 387
451+world languages, subject to the provisions of subsection [(h)] (g) of this 388
452+section. A local or regional board of education may require a student to 389
453+complete a one credit mastery-based diploma assessment in order to 390
454+graduate from high school or be granted a diploma. 391
455+[(d) Commencing with classes graduating in 2025, and for each 392
456+graduating class thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall 393
457+permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to 394
458+any student who has not satisfied the requirements of section 10-221z 395
459+and not satisfactorily completed a minimum of twenty-five credits, 396
460+including not fewer than: (1) Nine credits in the humanities, including 397
461+civics and the arts; (2) nine credits in science, technology, engineering 398
462+and mathematics; (3) one credit in physical education and wellness; (4) 399
463+one credit in health and safety education, as described in section 10-16b; 400
464+and (5) one credit in world languages, subject to the provisions of 401
465+subsection (h) of this section. A local or regional board of education may 402
466+require a student to complete a one credit mastery-based diploma 403
467+assessment in order to graduate from high school or be granted a 404
468+diploma.] 405
469+[(e)] (d) Commencing with classes graduating in 2027, and for each 406
470+graduating class thereafter, no local or regional board of education shall 407
471+permit any student to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to 408
472+any student who has not satisfied the requirements of section 10-221z, 409
473+as amended by this act, and not satisfactorily completed a minimum of 410
474+twenty-five credits, including not fewer than: (1) Nine credits in the 411
475+humanities, including civics and the arts; (2) nine credits in science, 412
476+technology, engineering and mathematics; (3) one credit in physical 413
477+education and wellness; (4) one credit in health and safety education, as 414
478+described in section 10-16b; (5) one credit in world languages, subject to 415
479+the provisions of subsection [(h)] (g) of this section; and (6) one-half 416
480+credit in personal financial management and financial literacy, which 417 Substitute Bill No. 5437
647481
648-Public Act No. 24-45 20 of 43
649482
650-school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of on-
651-line coursework, provided the local or regional board of education has
652-adopted a policy in accordance with this subdivision for the granting of
653-credit for on-line coursework. Such a policy shall ensure, at a minimum,
654-that (A) the workload required by the on-line course is equivalent to that
655-of a similar course taught in a traditional classroom setting, (B) the
656-content is rigorous and aligned with curriculum guidelines approved
657-by the State Board of Education, where appropriate, (C) the course
658-engages students and has interactive components, which may include,
659-but are not limited to, required interactions between students and their
660-teachers, participation in on-line demonstrations, discussion boards or
661-virtual labs, (D) the program of instruction for such on-line coursework
662-is planned, ongoing and systematic, and (E) the courses are (i) taught by
663-teachers who are certified in the state or another state and have received
664-training on teaching in an on-line environment, or (ii) offered by
665-institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Board of
666-Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or
667-regionally accredited; or (7) toward meeting the high school graduation
668-requirement upon the successful completion of a credit recovery
669-program approved by the Commissioner of Education.
670-[(j)] (i) A local or regional board of education may offer one-half credit
671-in community service which, if satisfactorily completed, shall qualify for
672-high school graduation credit pursuant to this section, provided such
673-community service is supervised by a certified school administrator or
674-teacher and consists of not less than fifty hours of actual service that may
675-be performed at times when school is not regularly in session and not
676-less than ten hours of related classroom instruction. [For purposes of
677-this section, community service does not include partisan political
678-activities.] The State Board of Education shall assist local and regional
679-boards of education in meeting the requirements of this section. [The
680-State Board of Education shall award a community service recognition
681-award to any student who satisfactorily completes fifty hours or more Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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485+may count towards the requirement described in subdivision (1) or (2) 418
486+of this subsection or as an elective credit. [A local or regional board of 419
487+education may require a student to complete a one credit mastery-based 420
488+diploma assessment in order to graduate from high school or be granted 421
489+a diploma.] 422
490+[(f)] (e) Commencing with classes graduating in 2023, and for each 423
491+graduating class thereafter, local and regional boards of education shall 424
492+provide adequate student support and remedial services for students 425
493+beginning in grade seven. Such student support and remedial services 426
494+shall provide alternate means for a student to complete any of the high 427
495+school graduation requirements described in subsections (c) [to (e), 428
496+inclusive,] and (d) of this section, if such student is unable to 429
497+satisfactorily complete any of the required courses or exams. Such 430
498+student support and remedial services shall include, but not be limited 431
499+to, (1) allowing students to retake courses in summer school or through 432
500+an on-line course; (2) allowing students to enroll in a class offered at a 433
501+constituent unit of the state system of higher education, as defined in 434
502+section 10a-1, pursuant to subdivision (4) of subsection [(i)] (h) of this 435
503+section; (3) allowing students who received a failing score, as 436
504+determined by the Commissioner of Education, on an end of the school 437
505+year exam to take an alternate form of the exam; and (4) allowing those 438
506+students whose individualized education programs state that such 439
507+students are eligible for an alternate assessment to demonstrate 440
508+competency on any of the five core courses through success on such 441
509+alternate assessment. 442
510+[(g)] (f) Any student who presents a certificate from a physician or 443
511+advanced practice registered nurse stating that, in the opinion of the 444
512+physician or advanced practice registered nurse, participation in 445
513+physical education is medically contraindicated because of the physical 446
514+condition of such student, shall be excused from the physical education 447
515+requirement, provided the credit for physical education may be fulfilled 448
516+by an elective. 449
517+[(h)] (g) Determination of eligible credits shall be at the discretion of 450 Substitute Bill No. 5437
684518
685-of community service in accordance with the provisions of this
686-subsection.]
687-[(k)] (j) (1) A local or regional board of education may award a
688-diploma to a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103,
689-which veteran or person served during World War II or the Korean
690-hostilities, as described in section 51-49h, or during the Vietnam Era, as
691-defined in section 27-103, withdrew from high school prior to
692-graduation in order to serve in the armed forces of the United States and
693-did not receive a diploma as a consequence of such service.
694-(2) A local or regional board of education may award a diploma to
695-any person who (A) withdrew from high school prior to graduation to
696-work in a job that assisted the war effort during World War II, December
697-7, 1941, to December 31, 1946, inclusive, (B) did not receive a diploma as
698-a consequence of such work, and (C) has been a resident of the state for
699-at least fifty consecutive years.
700-(3) (A) A local or regional board of education under whose
701-jurisdiction a student would otherwise be attending school if such
702-student were not educated under the oversight of the education unit of
703-the Department of Children and Families established pursuant to
704-section 17a-3b, shall award a diploma to any such student seventeen
705-years of age or older who satisfactorily completes the minimum credits
706-required pursuant to this section for students graduating in the year in
707-which such diploma is awarded.
708-(B) If no such local or regional board of education can be identified,
709-the Department of Children and Families shall determine whether a
710-student educated under the oversight of the education unit of the
711-department who is seventeen years of age or older has satisfactorily
712-completed the minimum credits required pursuant to this section for
713-students graduating in the year in which a diploma is sought by such
714-student and the department shall award a diploma to any such student Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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718-who has met such requirement.
719-[(l)] (k) For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school
720-year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall create a
721-student success plan for each student enrolled in a public school,
722-beginning in grade six. Such student success plan shall include a
723-student's career and academic choices in grades six to twelve, inclusive.
724-Beginning in grade six, such student success plan shall provide evidence
725-of career exploration in each grade including, but not limited to, careers
726-in manufacturing. The Department of Education shall revise and issue
727-to local and regional boards of education guidance regarding changes
728-to such student success plans. On and after July 1, 2020, in creating such
729-student success plans, consideration shall be given to career and
730-academic choices in computer science, science, technology, engineering
731-and mathematics. On and after July 1, 2021, such student success plans
732-shall be created, if possible, in collaboration with each student and the
733-parent or guardian of such student. On and after July 1, 2022, such
734-student success plans shall, to the extent it does not conflict with the
735-career choices of the student or such student's parent or guardian,
736-include an academic plan that is in compliance with the challenging
737-curriculum policy adopted by the local or regional board of education
738-pursuant to section 10-221x, as amended by this act. On and after July 1,
739-2024, in creating such student success plans, consideration shall be given
740-to enrollment opportunities in the Technical Education and Career
741-System.
742-[(m)] (l) Commencing with classes graduating in 2018, and for each
743-graduating class thereafter, a local or regional board of education may
744-affix the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy, as described in subsection
745-(f) of section 10-5, to a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved
746-a high level of proficiency in English and one or more foreign languages,
747-as defined in said subsection (f). The local or regional board of education
748-shall include on such student's transcript a designation that the student Substitute House Bill No. 5437
522+the local or regional board of education, provided the primary focus of 451
523+the curriculum of eligible credits corresponds directly to the subject 452
524+matter of the specified course requirements. The local or regional board 453
525+of education may permit a student to graduate during a period of 454
526+expulsion pursuant to section 10-233d, if the board determines the 455
527+student has satisfactorily completed the necessary credits pursuant to 456
528+this section. The requirements of this section shall apply to any student 457
529+requiring special education pursuant to section 10-76a, except when the 458
530+planning and placement team for such student determines the 459
531+requirement not to be appropriate. For purposes of this section, a credit 460
532+shall consist of not less than the equivalent of a forty-minute class period 461
533+for each school day of a school year except for a credit or part of a credit 462
534+toward high school graduation earned (1) at an institution accredited by 463
535+the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher 464
536+Education or regionally accredited, (2) through on-line coursework that 465
537+is in accordance with a policy adopted pursuant to subsection [(i)] (h) of 466
538+this section, or (3) through a demonstration of mastery based on 467
539+competency and performance standards, in accordance with guidelines 468
540+adopted by the State Board of Education. 469
541+[(i)] (h) Only courses taken in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, and 470
542+that are in accordance with the state-wide subject matter content 471
543+standards, adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to section 472
544+10-4, shall satisfy the graduation requirements set forth in this section, 473
545+except that a local or regional board of education may grant a student 474
546+credit (1) toward meeting the high school graduation requirements 475
547+upon the successful demonstration of mastery of the subject matter 476
548+content described in this section achieved through educational 477
549+experiences and opportunities that provide flexible and multiple 478
550+pathways to learning, including cross -curricular graduation 479
551+requirements, career and technical education, virtual learning, work-480
552+based learning, service learning, dual enrollment and early college, 481
553+courses taken in middle school, internships and student-designed 482
554+independent studies, provided such demonstration of mastery is in 483
555+accordance with such state-wide subject matter content standards; (2) 484 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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751557
752-received the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy.
753-Sec. 10. Section 10-221z of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
754-is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
755-1, 2024):
756-(a) No local or regional board of education shall permit any student
757-to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to any student
758-pursuant to section 10-221a, as amended by this act, unless such student
759-has (1) completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, (2)
760-completed and submitted to a public institution of higher education an
761-application for institutional financial aid for students without legal
762-immigration status established pursuant to section 10a-161d, or (3)
763-completed a waiver, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b)
764-of this section and on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of
765-Education, signed by such minor student's parent or legal guardian or
766-by such student if such student is a legally emancipated minor or
767-eighteen years of age or older.
768-(b) Any waiver completed by a student pursuant to subdivision (3)
769-of subsection (a) of this section shall require the parent, legal guardian
770-or student to affirm that such parent, legal guardian or student
771-understands the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and shall not
772-require the parent, legal guardian or student to state any reasons for
773-choosing not to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or
774-the application for institutional financial aid for students without legal
775-immigration status. On and after March fifteenth of the school year, a
776-principal, school counselor, teacher or other certified educator may
777-complete such waiver on behalf of any student who has not satisfied any
778-of the requirements described in subsection (a) of this section, if such
779-principal, school counselor, teacher or other certified educator affirms
780-that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent, legal
781-guardian or student about completion of the Free Application for
782-Federal Student Aid or an application for institutional financial aid for Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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560+toward meeting a specified course requirement upon the successful 485
561+completion in grade seven or eight of any course, the primary focus of 486
562+which corresponds directly to the subject matter of a specified course 487
563+requirement in grades nine to twelve, inclusive; (3) toward meeting the 488
564+high school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of 489
565+a world language course (A) in grade six, seven or eight, (B) through on-490
566+line coursework, or (C) offered privately through a nonprofit provider, 491
567+provided such student achieves a passing grade on an examination 492
568+prescribed, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of 493
569+Education and such credits do not exceed four; (4) toward meeting the 494
570+high school graduation requirement upon achievement of a passing 495
571+grade on a subject area proficiency examination identified and 496
572+approved, within available appropriations, by the Commissioner of 497
573+Education, regardless of the number of hours the student spent in a 498
574+public school classroom learning such subject matter; (5) toward 499
575+meeting the high school graduation requirement upon the successful 500
576+completion of coursework during the school year or summer months at 501
577+an institution accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education 502
578+or Office of Higher Education or regionally accredited. One three-credit 503
579+semester course, or its equivalent, at such an institution shall equal one-504
580+half credit for purposes of this section; (6) toward meeting the high 505
581+school graduation requirement upon the successful completion of on-506
582+line coursework, provided the local or regional board of education has 507
583+adopted a policy in accordance with this subdivision for the granting of 508
584+credit for on-line coursework. Such a policy shall ensure, at a minimum, 509
585+that (A) the workload required by the on-line course is equivalent to that 510
586+of a similar course taught in a traditional classroom setting, (B) the 511
587+content is rigorous and aligned with curriculum guidelines approved 512
588+by the State Board of Education, where appropriate, (C) the course 513
589+engages students and has interactive components, which may include, 514
590+but are not limited to, required interactions between students and their 515
591+teachers, participation in on-line demonstrations, discussion boards or 516
592+virtual labs, (D) the program of instruction for such on-line coursework 517
593+is planned, ongoing and systematic, and (E) the courses are (i) taught by 518
594+teachers who are certified in the state or another state and have received 519 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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786-students without legal immigration status.
787-(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any student
788-enrolled in an incorporated or endowed high school or academy
789-approved pursuant to section 10-34 and who holds an F-1 visa.
790-Sec. 11. Subsection (b) of section 10-76ll of the 2024 supplement to the
791-general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
792-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
793-(b) On or before July 1, 2015, the State Board of Education shall draft
794-a written bill of rights for parents of children receiving special education
795-services to guarantee that the rights of such parents and children are
796-adequately safeguarded and protected during the provision of special
797-education and related services until such children have graduated from
798-high school or at the end of the school year during which such children
799-reaches age twenty-two, whichever occurs first, under this chapter. Such
800-bill of rights shall inform parents of: (1) The right to request
801-consideration of the provision of transition services for a child receiving
802-special education services who is eighteen until such child has
803-graduated from high school or at the end of the school year during
804-which such child reaches age twenty-two, whichever occurs first, (2) the
805-right to receive transition resources and materials from the department
806-and the local or regional board of education responsible for such child,
807-(3) the requirement that the local or regional board of education
808-responsible for such child shall create a student success plan for each
809-student enrolled in a public school, beginning in grade six, pursuant to
810-subsection [(l)] (k) of section 10-221a, as amended by this act, and (4) the
811-right of such child to receive realistic and specific postgraduation goals
812-as part of such child's individualized education program.
813-Sec. 12. Subsection (b) of section 10-221x of the 2024 supplement to
814-the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
815-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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819-(b) Each local and regional board of education shall create an
820-academic plan for each student identified under the criteria described in
821-subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section. In creating an academic
822-plan for a student, such plan shall be designed to enroll such student in
823-one or more advanced course or programs and allow such student to
824-earn college credit or result in career readiness. Each academic plan shall
825-be aligned with (1) the courses or programs offered by the local or
826-regional board of education, (2) such student's student success plan
827-created pursuant to subsection [(l)] (k) of section 10-221a, as amended
828-by this act, (3) the high school graduation requirements under section
829-10-221a, as amended by this act, and (4) any other policies or standards
830-adopted by the board relating to the eligibility for student enrollment in
831-advanced courses or programs. A student, or the parent or guardian of
832-a student, may decline to implement the provisions of an academic plan
833-created for such student.
834-Sec. 13. Subsections (c) and (d) of section 10-233a of the general
835-statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof
836-(Effective July 1, 2024):
837-(c) "In-school suspension" means an exclusion from regular
838-classroom activity for no more than [ten] five consecutive school days,
839-but not exclusion from school, provided such exclusion shall not extend
840-beyond the end of the school year in which such in-school suspension
841-was imposed.
842-(d) "Suspension" means an exclusion from school privileges or from
843-transportation services only, [for no more than ten consecutive school
844-days,] provided such exclusion shall not extend beyond the end of the
845-school year in which such suspension was imposed.
846-Sec. 14. Subsection (g) of section 10-233c of the general statutes is
847-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
848-2024): Substitute House Bill No. 5437
599+training on teaching in an on-line environment, or (ii) offered by 520
600+institutions of higher education that are accredited by the Board of 521
601+Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or 522
602+regionally accredited; or (7) toward meeting the high school graduation 523
603+requirement upon the successful completion of a credit recovery 524
604+program approved by the Commissioner of Education. 525
605+[(j)] (i) A local or regional board of education may offer one-half credit 526
606+in community service which, if satisfactorily completed, shall qualify for 527
607+high school graduation credit pursuant to this section, provided such 528
608+community service is supervised by a certified school administrator or 529
609+teacher and consists of not less than fifty hours of actual service that may 530
610+be performed at times when school is not regularly in session and not 531
611+less than ten hours of related classroom instruction. [For purposes of 532
612+this section, community service does not include partisan political 533
613+activities.] The State Board of Education shall assist local and regional 534
614+boards of education in meeting the requirements of this section. [The 535
615+State Board of Education shall award a community service recognition 536
616+award to any student who satisfactorily completes fifty hours or more 537
617+of community service in accordance with the provisions of this 538
618+subsection.] 539
619+[(k)] (j) (1) A local or regional board of education may award a 540
620+diploma to a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, 541
621+which veteran or person served during World War II or the Korean 542
622+hostilities, as described in section 51-49h, or during the Vietnam Era, as 543
623+defined in section 27-103, withdrew from high school prior to 544
624+graduation in order to serve in the armed forces of the United States and 545
625+did not receive a diploma as a consequence of such service. 546
626+(2) A local or regional board of education may award a diploma to 547
627+any person who (A) withdrew from high school prior to graduation to 548
628+work in a job that assisted the war effort during World War II, December 549
629+7, 1941, to December 31, 1946, inclusive, (B) did not receive a diploma as 550
630+a consequence of such work, and (C) has been a resident of the state for 551
631+at least fifty consecutive years. 552 Substitute Bill No. 5437
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851633
852-(g) On and after July 1, 2015, all suspensions pursuant to this section
853-shall be in-school suspensions, except a local or regional board of
854-education may authorize the administration of schools under its
855-direction to impose an out-of-school suspension on any pupil in (1)
856-grades three to twelve, inclusive, if, during the hearing held pursuant to
857-subsection (a) of this section, (A) the administration determines that the
858-pupil being suspended poses such a danger to persons or property or
859-such a disruption of the educational process that the pupil shall be
860-excluded from school during the period of suspension, or (B) the
861-administration determines that an out-of-school suspension is
862-appropriate for such pupil based on evidence of (i) previous disciplinary
863-problems that have led to suspensions or expulsion of such pupil, and
864-(ii) efforts by the administration to address such disciplinary problems
865-through means other than out-of-school suspension or expulsion,
866-including positive behavioral support strategies, or (2) grades preschool
867-to two, inclusive, if during the hearing held pursuant to subsection (a)
868-of this section, the administration (A) determines that an out-of-school
869-suspension is appropriate for such pupil based on evidence that such
870-pupil's conduct on school grounds is [of a violent or sexual nature that
871-endangers persons] behavior that causes physical harm, (B) requires
872-that such pupil receives services that are trauma-informed and
873-developmentally appropriate and align with any b ehavioral
874-intervention plan, individualized education program or plan pursuant
875-to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended from time
876-to time, for such pupil upon such pupil's return to school immediately
877-following the out-of-school suspension, and (C) considers whether to
878-convene a planning and placement team meeting for the purposes of
879-conducting an evaluation to determine whether such pupil may require
880-special education or related services. An out-of-school suspension
881-imposed under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not exceed ten
882-school days, and an out-of-school suspension imposed under
883-subdivision (2) of this subsection shall not exceed five school days. An
884-in-school suspension may be served in the school that the pupil attends, Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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886-Public Act No. 24-45 27 of 43
636+(3) (A) A local or regional board of education under whose 553
637+jurisdiction a student would otherwise be attending school if such 554
638+student were not educated under the oversight of the education unit of 555
639+the Department of Children and Families established pursuant to 556
640+section 17a-3b, shall award a diploma to any such student seventeen 557
641+years of age or older who satisfactorily completes the minimum credits 558
642+required pursuant to this section for students graduating in the year in 559
643+which such diploma is awarded. 560
644+(B) If no such local or regional board of education can be identified, 561
645+the Department of Children and Families shall determine whether a 562
646+student educated under the oversight of the education unit of the 563
647+department who is seventeen years of age or older has satisfactorily 564
648+completed the minimum credits required pursuant to this section for 565
649+students graduating in the year in which a diploma is sought by such 566
650+student and the department shall award a diploma to any such student 567
651+who has met such requirement. 568
652+[(l)] (k) For the school year commencing July 1, 2012, and each school 569
653+year thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall create a 570
654+student success plan for each student enrolled in a public school, 571
655+beginning in grade six. Such student success plan shall include a 572
656+student's career and academic choices in grades six to twelve, inclusive. 573
657+Beginning in grade six, such student success plan shall provide evidence 574
658+of career exploration in each grade including, but not limited to, careers 575
659+in manufacturing. The Department of Education shall revise and issue 576
660+to local and regional boards of education guidance regarding changes 577
661+to such student success plans. On and after July 1, 2020, in creating such 578
662+student success plans, consideration shall be given to career and 579
663+academic choices in computer science, science, technology, engineering 580
664+and mathematics. On and after July 1, 2021, such student success plans 581
665+shall be created, if possible, in collaboration with each student and the 582
666+parent or guardian of such student. On and after July 1, 2022, such 583
667+student success plans shall, to the extent it does not conflict with the 584
668+career choices of the student or such student's parent or guardian, 585
669+include an academic plan that is in compliance with the challenging 586 Substitute Bill No. 5437
887670
888-or in any school building under the jurisdiction of the local or regional
889-board of education, as determined by such board. Nothing in this
890-section shall limit a person's duty as a mandated reporter pursuant to
891-section 17-101a to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
892-Sec. 15. Section 10-233p of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
893-is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
894-1, 2024):
895-Each school resource officer, as defined in section 10-233m, as
896-amended by this act, shall submit to the chief of police of such school
897-resource officer's local law enforcement agency a report for each
898-investigation or behavioral intervention of challenging behavior or
899-conflict that escalates to violence or constitutes a crime conducted by
900-such school resource officer not later than five school days after
901-conducting such investigation or behavioral intervention. The chief of
902-police shall submit such report to the superintendent of schools for the
903-school district in which such investigation or behavioral intervention
904-occurred in accordance with the provisions of the memorandum of
905-understanding entered into pursuant to section 10-233m, as amended
906-by this act, but shall be not less frequently than monthly. If the chief of
907-police of the school resource officer's local law enforcement agency is
908-not certified by the Police Officer Standards and Training Council
909-pursuant to section 7-294d, such school resource officer shall submit
910-such report directly to the superintendent of schools for the school
911-district in which such investigation or behavioral intervention occurred
912-in the same manner specified in this section for the chief of police to
913-submit such report. Such superintendent shall submit such report to the
914-local or regional board of education of the school district. Such report
915-shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) the date, time and location
916-of such investigation or behavioral intervention, (2) the name and badge
917-number of such school resource officer, (3) the race, ethnicity, gender,
918-age and disability status for each student involved in such investigation Substitute House Bill No. 5437
919671
920-Public Act No. 24-45 28 of 43
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921673
922-or behavioral intervention, (4) the reason for and nature of such
923-investigation or behavioral intervention, (5) the disposition of such
924-investigation or behavioral intervention, and (6) whether any student
925-involved in such investigation or behavioral intervention was (A)
926-searched, (B) apprised of such student's constitutional rights, (C) issued
927-a citation or a summons, (D) arrested, or (E) detained, including the
928-amount of time such student was detained. For purposes of this section,
929-"investigation or behavioral intervention" means a circumstance in
930-which a school resource officer is conducting (i) a fact-finding inquiry
931-concerning student behavior or school safety, including, but not limited
932-to, emergency circumstances, or (ii) an intervention to resolve violent or
933-nonviolent student behavior or conflicts.
934-Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 10-222q of the 2024 supplement to
935-the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
936-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
937-(a) There is established a social and emotional learning and school
938-climate advisory collaborative. The collaborative shall (1) collect
939-information concerning the school climate improvement efforts of local
940-and regional boards of education, (2) document any needs articulated
941-by local and regional boards of education for technical assistance and
942-training relating to fostering positive school climates, (3) identify best
943-practices for promoting positive school climates, (4) direct resources to
944-support state-wide and local initiatives on issues relating to fostering
945-and improving positive school climates and improving access to social
946-and emotional learning in schools, (5) develop an assessment for
947-screening students in grades three to twelve, inclusive, to determine
948-whether such students are at risk for suicide, (6) develop a biennial state-
949-wide school climate survey, as described in subsection (c) of section 2 of
950-public act 19-166, (7) develop a model positive school climate policy, as
951-described in subsection (a) of section 2 of public act 19-166, (8) develop
952-a plain language explanation of the rights and remedies available under Substitute House Bill No. 5437
674+curriculum policy adopted by the local or regional board of education 587
675+pursuant to section 10-221x, as amended by this act. On and after July 1, 588
676+2024, in creating such student success plans, consideration shall be given 589
677+to enrollment opportunities in the Technical Education and Career 590
678+System. 591
679+[(m)] (l) Commencing with classes graduating in 2018, and for each 592
680+graduating class thereafter, a local or regional board of education may 593
681+affix the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy, as described in subsection 594
682+(f) of section 10-5, to a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved 595
683+a high level of proficiency in English and one or more foreign languages, 596
684+as defined in said subsection (f). The local or regional board of education 597
685+shall include on such student's transcript a designation that the student 598
686+received the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy. 599
687+Sec. 8. Section 10-221z of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes 600
688+is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 601
689+1, 2024): 602
690+(a) No local or regional board of education shall permit any student 603
691+to graduate from high school or grant a diploma to any student 604
692+pursuant to section 10-221a, as amended by this act, unless such student 605
693+has (1) completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, (2) 606
694+completed and submitted to a public institution of higher education an 607
695+application for institutional financial aid for students without legal 608
696+immigration status established pursuant to section 10a-161d, or (3) 609
697+completed a waiver, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) 610
698+of this section and on a form prescribed by the Commissioner of 611
699+Education, signed by such minor student's parent or legal guardian or 612
700+by such student if such student is a legally emancipated minor or 613
701+eighteen years of age or older. 614
702+(b) Any waiver completed by a student pursuant to subdivision (3) 615
703+of subsection (a) of this section shall require the parent, legal guardian 616
704+or student to affirm that such parent, legal guardian or student 617
705+understands the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and shall not 618 Substitute Bill No. 5437
953706
954-Public Act No. 24-45 29 of 43
955707
956-sections 10-4a and 10-4b for distribution to parents and guardians
957-pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of section 10-222d, and
958-provide such explanation to each local and regional board of education
959-not later than January 1, 2021, (9) develop school climate survey
960-standards, including, but not limited to, standards for the collection of
961-data on diversity, equity and inclusion and for the reduction in
962-disparities in data collection between school districts, (10) develop a
963-model school climate improvement plan, and [(9)] (11) perform other
964-functions concerning social and emotional learning and fostering
965-positive school climates.
966-Sec. 17. Subsection (a) of section 10-222q of the 2024 supplement to
967-the general statutes, as amended by section 65 of public act 23-167, is
968-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
969-2025):
970-(a) There is established a social and emotional learning and school
971-climate advisory collaborative. The collaborative shall (1) collect
972-information concerning the school climate improvement efforts of local
973-and regional boards of education, (2) document any needs articulated
974-by local and regional boards of education for technical assistance and
975-training relating to fostering positive school climates, (3) identify best
976-practices for promoting positive school climates, (4) direct resources to
977-support state-wide and local initiatives on issues relating to fostering
978-and improving positive school climates and improving access to social
979-and emotional learning in schools, (5) develop an assessment for
980-screening students in grades three to twelve, inclusive, to determine
981-whether such students are at risk for suicide, (6) develop a biennial state-
982-wide school climate survey, as described in subsection (c) of section 2 of
983-public act 19-166, (7) adopt a Connecticut school climate policy, as
984-defined in section 10-222aa, as amended by this act, (8) develop a plain
985-language explanation of the rights and remedies available under
986-sections 10-4a and 10-4b for distribution to parents and guardians, and Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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987709
988-Public Act No. 24-45 30 of 43
710+require the parent, legal guardian or student to state any reasons for 619
711+choosing not to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or 620
712+the application for institutional financial aid for students without legal 621
713+immigration status. On and after March fifteenth of the school year, a 622
714+principal, school counselor, teacher or other certified educator may 623
715+complete such waiver on behalf of any student who has not satisfied any 624
716+of the requirements described in subsection (a) of this section, if such 625
717+principal, school counselor, teacher or other certified educator affirms 626
718+that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent, legal 627
719+guardian or student about completion of the Free Application for 628
720+Federal Student Aid or an application for institutional financial aid for 629
721+students without legal immigration status. 630
722+(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any student 631
723+enrolled in an incorporated or endowed high school or academy 632
724+approved pursuant to section 10-34 and who is not a resident of the 633
725+state. 634
726+Sec. 9. Subsection (b) of section 10-76ll of the 2024 supplement to the 635
727+general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 636
728+thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 637
729+(b) On or before July 1, 2015, the State Board of Education shall draft 638
730+a written bill of rights for parents of children receiving special education 639
731+services to guarantee that the rights of such parents and children are 640
732+adequately safeguarded and protected during the provision of special 641
733+education and related services until such children have graduated from 642
734+high school or at the end of the school year during which such children 643
735+reaches age twenty-two, whichever occurs first, under this chapter. Such 644
736+bill of rights shall inform parents of: (1) The right to request 645
737+consideration of the provision of transition services for a child receiving 646
738+special education services who is eighteen until such child has 647
739+graduated from high school or at the end of the school year during 648
740+which such child reaches age twenty-two, whichever occurs first, (2) the 649
741+right to receive transition resources and materials from the department 650
742+and the local or regional board of education responsible for such child, 651 Substitute Bill No. 5437
989743
990-provide such explanation to each local and regional board of education
991-not later than January 1, 2021, (9) develop standards for a school climate
992-survey, including, but not limited to, standards for the collection of data
993-on diversity, equity and inclusion and for the reduction in disparities in
994-data collection between school districts, (10) develop a model school
995-climate improvement plan, and [(9)] (11) perform other functions
996-concerning social and emotional learning and fostering positive school
997-climates.
998-Sec. 18. Subdivision (12) of section 10-222aa of the 2024 supplement
999-to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1000-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1001-(12) "School climate survey" means a research-based, validated and
1002-developmentally appropriate survey administered to students, school
1003-employees and families of students, in the predominant languages of
1004-the members of the school community, that (A) measures and identifies
1005-school climate needs and tracks progress through a school climate
1006-improvement plan, and (B) (i) meets the school climate survey standards
1007-developed by the social and emotional learning and school climate
1008-advisory collaborative, established pursuant to section 10-222q, as
1009-amended by this act, or (ii) is the state-wide school climate survey
1010-developed by said collaborative.
1011-Sec. 19. Subsection (a) of section 10-222hh of the 2024 supplement to
1012-the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
1013-thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1014-(a) For the school year commencing July 1, 2025, and each school year
1015-thereafter, the school climate specialist, as described in section 10-222ee,
1016-for each school, in collaboration with the school climate coordinator, as
1017-described in section 10-222dd, shall develop, and update as necessary, a
1018-school climate improvement plan. Such plan shall be based on the
1019-results of the school climate survey, administered pursuant to section Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1020744
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745+LCO 21 of 22
1022746
1023-10-222gg, any recommendations from the school climate committee, as
1024-described in section 10-222ff, the protocols and supports, described in
1025-subsection (b) of this section and any other data the school climate
1026-specialist and school climate coordinator deemed relevant. Such plan
1027-[shall be submitted] may incorporate the model school climate
1028-improvement plan developed by the social and emotional learning and
1029-school climate advisory collaborative, established pursuant to section
1030-10-222q, as amended by this act. The school climate specialist shall
1031-submit such plan to the school climate coordinator for review and
1032-approval on or before December thirty-first of each school year. Upon
1033-approval of such plan, a written or electronic copy of such plan shall be
1034-made available to members of the school community and such plan shall
1035-be used in the prevention of, identification of and response to
1036-challenging behavior.
1037-Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) The Department of Education
1038-shall, within available appropriations, appoint a director of school
1039-climate improvement to serve as the state-wide social and emotional
1040-learning and school climate expert. The director of school climate
1041-improvement shall (1) assist local and regional boards of education with
1042-the implementation of (A) sections 10-222t to 10-222v, inclusive, and
1043-sections 10-222aa to 10-222jj, inclusive, of the general statutes, as
1044-amended by this act, and (B) the Connecticut school climate policy, as
1045-defined in section 10-222aa of the general statutes, as amended by this
1046-act, (2) assist the social and emotional learning and school climate
1047-advisory collaborative, established pursuant to section 10-222q of the
1048-general statutes, as amended by this act, in the development and
1049-implementation of tools and best practices related to school climate and
1050-culture, including, but not limited to, the development of a model school
1051-climate survey and a model school climate improvement plan, (3)
1052-provide information and assistance to local and regional boards of
1053-education, students and parents and guardians of students on the
1054-uniform bullying complaint form created pursuant to section 10-222bb Substitute House Bill No. 5437
747+(3) the requirement that the local or regional board of education 652
748+responsible for such child shall create a student success plan for each 653
749+student enrolled in a public school, beginning in grade six, pursuant to 654
750+subsection [(l)] (k) of section 10-221a, as amended by this act, and (4) the 655
751+right of such child to receive realistic and specific postgraduation goals 656
752+as part of such child's individualized education program. 657
753+Sec. 10. Subsection (b) of section 10-221x of the 2024 supplement to 658
754+the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 659
755+thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): 660
756+(b) Each local and regional board of education shall create an 661
757+academic plan for each student identified under the criteria described in 662
758+subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section. In creating an academic 663
759+plan for a student, such plan shall be designed to enroll such student in 664
760+one or more advanced course or programs and allow such student to 665
761+earn college credit or result in career readiness. Each academic plan shall 666
762+be aligned with (1) the courses or programs offered by the local or 667
763+regional board of education, (2) such student's student success plan 668
764+created pursuant to subsection [(l)] (k) of section 10-221a, as amended 669
765+by this act, (3) the high school graduation requirements under section 670
766+10-221a, as amended by this act, and (4) any other policies or standards 671
767+adopted by the board relating to the eligibility for student enrollment in 672
768+advanced courses or programs. A student, or the parent or guardian of 673
769+a student, may decline to implement the provisions of an academic plan 674
770+created for such student. 675
771+This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
772+sections:
1055773
1056-Public Act No. 24-45 32 of 43
774+Section 1 July 1, 2024 New section
775+Sec. 2 July 1, 2024 10-220a(a)
776+Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 10-220a(a)
777+Sec. 4 July 1, 2024 10-222d(b)
778+Sec. 5 July 1, 2024 10-233m
779+Sec. 6 July 1, 2024 22a-226e(a)
780+Sec. 7 July 1, 2024 10-221a Substitute Bill No. 5437
1057781
1058-of the general statutes, (4) not later than January 1, 2026, and annually
1059-thereafter, submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section
1060-11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the
1061-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education
1062-on recommendations for best practices and improvement of school
1063-climate improvement strategies in this state, (5) assist school climate
1064-coordinators, appointed pursuant to section 10-222dd of the general
1065-statutes, in the development of a continuum of strategies to prevent,
1066-identify and respond to challenging behavior, (6) develop and provide
1067-technical assistance and recommendations, in collaboration with the
1068-social and emotional learning and school climate advisory collaborative,
1069-to local and regional boards of education on trainings for school
1070-employees for the purposes of school climate improvement, and (7) in
1071-collaboration with the social and emotional learning and school climate
1072-advisory collaborative, develop strategies to improve the delivery of
1073-services concerning social and emotional learning, skills building and
1074-mental health supports.
1075-Sec. 21. (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section:
1076-(1) "At-risk student" means a student who is enrolled in high school
1077-and is in danger of not graduating for reasons including, but not limited
1078-to, (A) not earning sufficient credits to meet the high school graduation
1079-requirements under section 10-221a of the general statutes, as amended
1080-by this act, (B) being a chronically absent child, or (C) behavioral and
1081-other disciplinary issues, such as suspensions and expulsions;
1082-(2) "Chronically absent child" has the same meaning as provided in
1083-section 10-198c of the general statutes; and
1084-(3) "Disconnected youth" means an individual who is fourteen to
1085-twenty-six years of age, inclusive, and who is (A) an at-risk student, or
1086-(B) not enrolled in high school, and (i) has not obtained a high school
1087-diploma or its equivalent, (ii) has obtained a high school diploma or its Substitute House Bill No. 5437
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1089-Public Act No. 24-45 33 of 43
783+LCO 22 of 22
1090784
1091-equivalent but is unemployed and not enrolled in an adult education
1092-program, institution of higher education or otherwise pursuing
1093-postsecondary education, or a workforce training or certification
1094-program, including an apprenticeship program, or (iii) is incarcerated.
1095-(b) The Connecticut Preschool Through Twenty and Workforce
1096-Information Network, established pursuant to section 10a-57g of the
1097-general statutes, shall develop a plan to establish a state-wide data
1098-intermediary that is responsible for (1) providing technical support, (2)
1099-creating data sharing agreements, and (3) building and maintaining the
1100-infrastructure necessary to share data between nonprofit organizations
1101-serving disconnected youth. Not later than January 1, 2025, the
1102-executive board of the Connecticut Preschool Through Twenty and
1103-Workforce Information Network shall submit such plan to the joint
1104-standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
1105-matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of
1106-section 11-4a of the general statutes.
1107-Sec. 22. (Effective from passage) Not later than January 1, 2025, and
1108-annually thereafter, the executive board of the Connecticut Preschool
1109-Through Twenty and Workforce Information Network, established
1110-pursuant to section 10a-57g of the general statutes, shall submit an
1111-annual report on disconnected youth. In developing such report, the
1112-executive board shall use the data model established through the data
1113-sharing agreement 0043 regarding Research on Disengaged and
1114-Disconnected Youth in Connecticut. The executive board shall submit
1115-such report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly
1116-having cognizance of matters relating to education, children, the
1117-judiciary, labor, human services, public health and appropriations, in
1118-accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
1119-As used in this section, "disconnected youth" has the same meaning as
1120-provided in section 21 of this act.
1121-Sec. 23. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section: Substitute House Bill No. 5437
785+Sec. 8 July 1, 2024 10-221z
786+Sec. 9 July 1, 2024 10-76ll(b)
787+Sec. 10 July 1, 2024 10-221x(b)
1122788
1123-Public Act No. 24-45 34 of 43
1124-
1125-(1) "Education records" has the same meaning as provided in 34 CFR
1126-99.3, as amended from time to time; and
1127-(2) "Youth service bureau" means a youth service bureau established
1128-pursuant to section 10-19m of the general statutes, as amended by this
1129-act.
1130-(b) A local or regional board of education shall, upon request of the
1131-youth service bureau that provides services for such board, enter into a
1132-memorandum of understanding with such youth service bureau
1133-regarding the circumstances under which educational records of
1134-students may be shared between the board and the youth service bureau
1135-in the provision of services for which such youth service bureau is
1136-providing for such board.
1137-(c) Any memorandum of understanding entered into under this
1138-section shall require that the local or regional board of education shall
1139-provide, and such youth service bureau shall receive and maintain, any
1140-educational records of students in a manner that is in accordance with
1141-the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, 20 USC 1232g,
1142-as amended from time to time, and 34 CFR 99.1 et seq., as amended from
1143-time to time.
1144-Sec. 24. Subsection (a) of section 10-19m of the general statutes is
1145-repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
1146-2024):
1147-(a) For the purposes of this section, "youth" means a person from birth
1148-to eighteen years of age. Any one or more municipalities or any one or
1149-more private youth-serving organizations, designated to act as agents
1150-of one or more municipalities or local or regional boards of education,
1151-may establish a multipurpose youth service bureau for the purposes of
1152-evaluation, planning, coordination and implementation of services,
1153-including prevention and intervention programs for delinquent, Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1154-
1155-Public Act No. 24-45 35 of 43
1156-
1157-predelinquent, pregnant, parenting and troubled youths referred to
1158-such bureau by [schools] local or regional boards of education, police,
1159-juvenile courts, adult courts, local youth-serving agencies, parents and
1160-self-referrals. A youth service bureau shall be the coordinating unit of
1161-community-based services to provide comprehensive delivery of
1162-prevention, intervention, treatment and follow-up services.
1163-Sec. 25. Section 10-74j of the general statutes is repealed and the
1164-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1165-(a) As used in this section, "alternative education" means a school or
1166-program maintained and operated by a local or regional board of
1167-education that is offered to students in a nontraditional educational
1168-setting and addresses the social, emotional, behavioral and academic
1169-needs of such students.
1170-(b) A local or regional board of education may provide alternative
1171-education to students, in accordance with guidelines established by the
1172-State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-74k. A local or regional
1173-board of education may use space in an existing school or establish a
1174-new school for the purposes of providing alternative education to
1175-students. Alternative education shall be provided in accordance with
1176-the provisions of sections 10-15 and 10-16 and shall be subject to all
1177-federal and state laws governing public schools.
1178-(c) Each local and regional board of education shall make available
1179-on its Internet web site information relating to alternative education
1180-offered under this section, including, but not limited to, the purpose,
1181-location, contact information, staff directory and enrollment criteria for
1182-such alternative education.
1183-(d) For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, and each school year
1184-thereafter, any local or regional board of education that includes a credit
1185-recovery program as part of its alternative education provided under Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1186-
1187-Public Act No. 24-45 36 of 43
1188-
1189-this section shall permit any student enrolled in a traditional school
1190-program offered by such board and who is at risk of not graduating to
1191-enroll in such credit recovery program while still enrolled in the
1192-traditional school program.
1193-Sec. 26. Section 4-124ll of the general statutes is repealed and the
1194-following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
1195-(a) On or before July 1, 2023, the Chief Workforce Officer, in
1196-consultation with the Commissioner of Education, the executive
1197-director of the Technical Education and Career System and the Labor
1198-Commissioner, shall develop a model student work release policy. Not
1199-later than July 1, 2023, the Chief Workforce Officer shall report, in
1200-accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, regarding such model
1201-student work release policy to the joint standing committees of the
1202-General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education,
1203-commerce and labor.
1204-(b) The Chief Workforce Officer, in consultation with the
1205-Commissioner of Education, may update the model student work
1206-release policy developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section as
1207-needed. The Chief Workforce Officer shall notify each local and regional
1208-board of education of such updated model student work release policy.
1209-(c) For the school year commencing July 1, 2024, and each school year
1210-thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall adopt the
1211-model student work release policy developed pursuant to subsection (a)
1212-of this section or the most recent updated model student work release
1213-policy developed pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
1214-Sec. 27. (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The executive director of the
1215-Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, or the executive
1216-director's designee, may convene a working group to conduct a review
1217-of and make recommendations regarding the high school graduation Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1218-
1219-Public Act No. 24-45 37 of 43
1220-
1221-requirements, described in section 10-221a of the general statutes, as
1222-amended by this act, for the purpose of identifying those requirements
1223-that have the effect of limiting or restricting the provision of instruction
1224-or services to students.
1225-(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:
1226-(1) A representative from each of the following organizations,
1227-designated by each such organization:
1228-(A) The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education;
1229-(B) The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents;
1230-(C) The Connecticut PTA;
1231-(D) The American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut;
1232-(E) The Connecticut Education Association;
1233-(F) The Connecticut Association of Schools;
1234-(G) The Connecticut Federation of School Administrators;
1235-(H) The Connecticut School Counselor Association;
1236-(I) The Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education,
1237-Recreation and Dance; and
1238-(J) The education and workforce affiliate of the Connecticut Business
1239-and Industry Association;
1240-(2) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing
1241-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
1242-relating to education, or the chairpersons' and ranking members'
1243-designees; Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1244-
1245-Public Act No. 24-45 38 of 43
1246-
1247-(3) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
1248-and
1249-(4) Any additional member deemed appropriate by the chairperson
1250-of the working group.
1251-(c) All initial appointments to the working group shall be made not
1252-later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy
1253-shall be filled by the appointing authority.
1254-(d) The executive director of the Connecticut Association of Boards
1255-of Education, or the executive director's designee, shall serve as the
1256-chairperson of the working group. The chairperson shall schedule the
1257-first meeting of the working group, which shall be held not later than
1258-sixty days after the effective date of this section.
1259-(e) The working group may provide an opportunity for public
1260-comment or seek input from students, parents, educators, boards of
1261-education and other education stakeholders while conducting the
1262-review and developing its recommendations under this section.
1263-(f) Not later than January 1, 2026, the working group shall submit a
1264-report on its review of such graduation requirements and its
1265-recommendations for revisions to such graduation requirements to the
1266-joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
1267-matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of
1268-section 11-4a of the general statutes. The working group shall terminate
1269-on the date that it submits such report or July 1, 2026, whichever is later.
1270-Sec. 28. (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) The president of the Connecticut
1271-Education Association, or the president's designee, and the president of
1272-the American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut, or the president's
1273-designee, may jointly convene a working group to conduct a review of
1274-(1) high school grading policies in use by local and regional boards of
1275-education, (2) the accountability index, as defined in section 10-223e of Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1276-
1277-Public Act No. 24-45 39 of 43
1278-
1279-the general statutes, and (3) the information and data selected by the
1280-Department of Education in the calculation of accountability index
1281-scores for school districts.
1282-(b) The working group shall consist of the following members:
1283-(1) A representative from each of the following organizations,
1284-designated by each such organization:
1285-(A) The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education;
1286-(B) The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents;
1287-(C) The Connecticut PTA;
1288-(D) The American Federation of Teachers-Connecticut;
1289-(E) The Connecticut Education Association;
1290-(F) The Connecticut Association of Schools;
1291-(G) The Connecticut Federation of School Administrators;
1292-(H) The Connecticut School Counselor Association;
1293-(I) The Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education,
1294-Recreation and Dance; and
1295-(J) The education and workforce affiliate of the Connecticut Business
1296-and Industry Association;
1297-(2) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing
1298-committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
1299-relating to education, or the chairpersons' and ranking members'
1300-designees;
1301-(3) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1302-
1303-Public Act No. 24-45 40 of 43
1304-
1305-and
1306-(4) Any additional member deemed appropriate by the
1307-cochairpersons of the working group.
1308-(c) All initial appointments to the working group shall be made not
1309-later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy
1310-shall be filled by the appointing authority.
1311-(d) The president of the Connecticut Education Association, or the
1312-president's designee, and the president of the American Federation of
1313-Teachers-Connecticut, or the president's designee, shall serve as the
1314-cochairpersons of the working group. The cochairpersons shall jointly
1315-schedule the first meeting of the working group, which shall be held not
1316-later than sixty days after the effective date of this section.
1317-(e) The working group may provide an opportunity for public
1318-comment or seek input from students, parents, educators, boards of
1319-education and other education stakeholders while conducting the
1320-review and developing its recommendations under this section.
1321-(f) Not later than January 1, 2026, the working group shall submit a
1322-report on its review of high school grading policies, the accountability
1323-index and the calculation of the accountability index to the joint
1324-standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
1325-matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of
1326-section 11-4a of the general statutes. The working group shall terminate
1327-on the date that it submits such report or July 1, 2026, whichever is later.
1328-Sec. 29. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to
1329-develop recommendations for the creation and administration of a state-
1330-wide program for the delivery of bereavement and grief counseling
1331-services to children and families at no cost to participants. The task force
1332-shall make recommendations for (1) the appropriate agency or agencies
1333-to administer such program, (2) the scope of services offered by such Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1334-
1335-Public Act No. 24-45 41 of 43
1336-
1337-program, including, but not limited to, the provision of culturally
1338-informed services and services to marginalized communities, (3) the
1339-role that existing bereavement and grief counseling services programs
1340-and school-based health centers should have in the delivery of services
1341-under such program, (4) the delivery of services by such program in
1342-areas of the state where such services do not currently exist or are not
1343-sufficient, and the resources that will be needed to deliver services to
1344-such areas, (5) long-term funding sources for such program, and (6) any
1345-additional considerations identified by the task force.
1346-(b) The task force shall consist of the following members:
1347-(1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives,
1348-who shall be a representative of a bereavement and grief counseling
1349-services program that serves children and families;
1350-(2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who
1351-shall be a representative of a state-wide association of school-based
1352-health centers;
1353-(3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of
1354-Representatives, who shall be a representative of a state-wide
1355-association of school counselors;
1356-(4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be
1357-a representative of the state chapter of a national nonprofit organization
1358-that works to improve the lives of children and families;
1359-(5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of
1360-Representatives, who shall be a representative of a child study center
1361-affiliated with a medical school in the state;
1362-(6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be
1363-a psychologist licensed pursuant to chapter 383 of the general statutes,
1364-who has expertise in treating bereaved children; Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1365-
1366-Public Act No. 24-45 42 of 43
1367-
1368-(7) One appointed jointly by the House chairperson and the House
1369-ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General
1370-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, who has
1371-experience with grief and bereavement;
1372-(8) One appointed jointly by the Senate chairperson and the Senate
1373-ranking member of the joint standing committee of the General
1374-Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, who is a
1375-representative of the Connecticut Association of School Psychologists;
1376-(9) The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's
1377-designee;
1378-(10) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the
1379-commissioner's designee;
1380-(11) The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or
1381-the commissioner's designee;
1382-(12) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
1383-and
1384-(13) The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children,
1385-Seniors, Equity and Opportunity, or the executive director's designee.
1386-(c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1),
1387-(2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) or (8) of subsection (b) of this section may be a
1388-member of the General Assembly.
1389-(d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later
1390-than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall
1391-be filled by the appointing authority.
1392-(e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro
1393-tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from
1394-among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule Substitute House Bill No. 5437
1395-
1396-Public Act No. 24-45 43 of 43
1397-
1398-the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty
1399-days after the effective date of this section.
1400-(f) The administrative staff of the Commission on Women, Children,
1401-Seniors, Equity and Opportunity shall serve as administrative staff of
1402-the task force.
1403-(g) Not later than July 1, 2025, the task force shall submit a report on
1404-its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of
1405-the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public
1406-health and children, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a
1407-of the general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it
1408-submits such report or July 1, 2025, whichever is later.
1409-Sec. 30. Section 1 of public act 23-160 is repealed. (Effective July 1, 2024)
789+ED Joint Favorable C/R APP
790+APP Joint Favorable Subst.
1410791