LAWRENCE J. HOGAN, JR., Governor Ch. 331
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Chapter 331
(House Bill 660)
AN ACT concerning
Commission to Study the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services
(Student Job Training Reformation Act)
FOR the purpose of establishing the Commission to Study the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services to evaluate and make recommendations on improving
various aspects of the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services’ programs
and services; and generally relating to the Commission to Study the Division of
Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services.
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That:
(a) There is a Commission to Study the State Department of Education’s Division
of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services.
(b) The Commission consists of the following members:
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
the Senate;
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
House; and
(3) the following members, appointed by the State Superintendent of
Schools:
(i) (1) one parent of a student who reported a favorable outcome
after working with the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services;
(ii) (2) one parent of a student who reported an unfavorable
outcome after working with the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services;
(iii) (3) one individual who reported a favorable outcome after
working with the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services;
(iv) (4) one individual who reported an unfavorable outcome after
working with the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services;
(v) (5) one individual employed by a local school system as a
transition specialist;
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(vi) (6) one individual employed by a private school as a transition
specialist;
(vii) (7) one individual employed by a local school system as a
special education teacher;
(viii) (8) one individual employed by a private school as a special
education teacher;
(ix) (9) one individual employed by the State Department of
Education as a transition specialist;
(x) (10) one individual employed by the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services with experience participating in individualized education program
team meetings;
(10) one representative from the Department of Disabilities;
(xi) (11) one individual employed by the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services with experience working in the Division’s training programs;
(xii) (12) the State Coordinator for Autism Strategy;
(xiii) (13) one community behavioral health provider who provides
vocational programs and employment support;
(xiv) (14) one representative of a residential community and
vocational program;
(xv) (15) one representative of the State Board of Education;
(xvi) (16) one representative of the Developmental Disabilities
Administration;
(xvii) (17) one representative of the Maryland Association of
Nonpublic Special Education Facilities;
(xviii) (18) one representative of the Maryland Developmental
Disabilities Council;
(xix) (19) one representative of Arc Maryland;
(xx) (20) one representative of Disability Rights Maryland who:
1. (i) is an attorney; and
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2. (ii) has experience working with the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services;
(xxi) (21) one attorney who:
1. (i) represents children and young adults with disabilities;
and
2. (ii) has experience working with the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services;
(xxii) (22) one representative of a community college; and
(xxiii) (23) other members considered necessary by the State
Superintendent of Schools.
(c) The Assistant State Superintendent of the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services shall chair the Commission shall elect a chair from among its
members.
(d) The Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services shall provide staff for
the Commission.
(e) A member of the Commission:
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
(f) The Commission shall evaluate and make recommendations on:
(1) methods for improving stakeholder input on the Division of
Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services’ programs and services;
(2) methods for improving the relationship and communication between
transition professionals working at the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services
and the Developmental Disabilities Administration;
(3) methods for improving the amount of time it takes to provide vocational
rehabilitation and transitional services;
(4) methods for improving public–private partnerships to assist more
Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services’ clients;
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(5) methods for improving accountability and transparency of the Division
of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services’ programs and services;
(6) whether the eligibility criteria for the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services’ programs and services should be altered;
(7) whether the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services should
continue to be a division of the State Department of Education or should be transferred to
another State agency;
(8) if the Commission determines that the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services should continue to be a division of the State Department of
Education, whether the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services should have a
governing board separate from the State Board of Education;
(9) whether there are specific budgetary requests that could support the
job training programs provided by the Division of Rehabilitative Rehabilitation Services;
and
(10) any other improvements to the Division of Rehabilitative
Rehabilitation Services’ programs and services the Commission considers appropriate.
(g) The Commission shall meet at least five times between June 1, 2022, and
December 15, 2022.
(h) On or before December 15, 2022, the Commission shall report its findings and
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State
Government Article, the General Assembly.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June
1, 2022. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 1 month and, at the end of June
30, 2023, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be
abrogated and of no further force and effect.
Approved by the Governor, May 12, 2022.