2022 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 31
BY SENATOR JACKSON
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To establish the Related Services Advisory Commission, within the state Department of
Education, to study the level of supports statewide for students with special needs
and exceptionalities through an examination of the ratio of service providers to
students and the impact on service implementation.
WHEREAS, related services are the supportive services or activities necessary for
some students with special needs and exceptionalities to maximize their educational
outcomes; and
WHEREAS, any related service or support that helps a student to benefit from or
achieve the goals set out in his individualized educational program should be provided by
the appropriate related services personnel; and
WHEREAS, these related services, including but not limited to audiology,
psychological services, social work services, and early assessment of disabilities in children,
are critical and necessary and must be provided with the appropriate service provider to
student ratio; and
WHEREAS, the current guidelines in use for related services come from best
practices set decades ago and need to be updated to ensure each student with special needs
or exceptionalities is provided the appropriate resources and tools, including the proper
professionals in the field, to best assist the student to achieve his full potential.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
establish the Related Services Advisory Commission, within the state Department of
Education, to study the level of supports statewide for students with special needs and
exceptionalities through an examination of the ratio of service providers to students and the
impact on service implementation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall be comprised of the
following members:
(1) One member appointed by the executive director of the Autism Society of North
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Louisiana.
(2) The executive director of the Governor's Office of Disability Affairs, or his
designee.
(3) Two members appointed by the president of the Louisiana School Psychological
Association, one of whom shall be a graduate trainer in school psychology.
(4) Two members appointed by the president of Speech Pathologists and
Audiologists in Louisiana Schools, one of whom shall be a graduate trainer in speech
pathology.
(5) The statewide director of Families Helping Families, or his designee.
(6) Two members appointed by the president of the Louisiana Chapter of the
National Association of Social Workers, one of whom shall be a graduate trainer.
(7) Two members appointed by the president of the Louisiana Behavior Analysis
Association, one of whom shall be a graduate trainer in applied behavior analysis.
(8) One member appointed by the president of the Louisiana Association of Special
Education Administrators.
(9) Two members appointed by the president of the Louisiana Occupational Therapy
Association, one of whom shall be a school-based occupational therapist and one of whom
shall be an occupational therapist graduate trainer.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the commission shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or reimbursement of expenses to which they may be
individually entitled as members of the constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the commission and any official action by the commission shall
require an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the members chosen, designated,
or appointed pursuant to this Resolution shall be submitted to the state superintendent of
education by August 15, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall hold its organizational
meeting not later than September 15, 2022, on the call of the state superintendent of
education. At the organizational meeting, the commission shall elect a chairman, a vice
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chairman, and any other officers as it finds necessary and shall adopt rules for its own
procedure.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission may seek input, information,
and data from any persons, agencies, entities, or stakeholders that it deems necessary to
fulfill the purposes of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall be domiciled in Baton
Rouge, Louisiana, but may meet elsewhere in the state. The state Department of Education
shall provide staff support to the commission and may coordinate with and receive assistance
from local nonprofit autism advocacy and support groups.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the commission shall study and make
recommendations for legislation and policy affecting the education of students with special
needs and exceptionalities. In carrying out the study, the commission shall:
(1) Collect data on the ratios of service providers to students in Louisiana public
schools, including charter schools.
(2) Collect recommended ratios for successful service delivery found in the research
literature and recommended by professional associations.
(3) Collect student impact information based on service provider to student ratios.
(4) Collect information on training programs available in Louisiana for providers
of services for students with special needs and exceptionalities that are replenishing the field
and any barriers to entering or completing the programs.
(5) Update the defined roles of each provider as well as how these providers can
collaborate to work together for students with special needs and exceptionalities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall meet at least twice
between the 2022 and 2023 Regular Sessions of the legislature and at least twice between
the 2023 and 2024 Regular Sessions of the legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission shall make a written report of
its findings to the legislature, including submission of one printed copy and one electronic
copy to the David R. Poynter Legislative Research Library, prior to the convening of the
2023 and 2024 Regular Sessions of the legislature, together with any specific proposals for
legislation.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
state superintendent of education, the Autism Society of North Louisiana, the Governor's
Office of Disability Affairs, the Louisiana School Psychological Association, Speech
Pathologists and Audiologists in Louisiana Schools, Families Helping Families, the
Louisiana chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the Louisiana Behavior
Analysis Association, the Louisiana Association of Special Education Administrators, and
the Louisiana Occupational Therapy Association.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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