SB 517

Abstract

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Includes public therapeutics programs in the definition of "special educational facilities and services". In a provision requiring a school district to pay the cost of tuition for special education and related services if a child attends a non-public school or special education facility, a public out-of-state school, or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit, provides that the special education and related services includes public therapeutics programs. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-1.08a new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Includes separate public special education day schools in the definition of "special educational facilities and services", and defines "separate public special education day school". In a provision requiring a school district to pay the cost of tuition for special education and related services if a child attends a non-public school or special education facility, a public out-of-state school, or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit, provides that the special education and related services includes special education and related services provided by a separate public special education day school. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-1.08 from Ch. 122, par. 14-1.08 105 ILCS 5/14-1.08a new 105 ILCS 5/14-7.02 from Ch. 122, par. 14-7.02 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-17 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code to create the High-Cost Special Education Funding Commission for the purpose of making recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly for an alternative funding structure in this State for high-cost special education students that is aligned to the principles of the evidence-based funding formula. Sets forth the membership of the Commission. Sets forth the topics the Commission must review. Contains provisions concerning administrative support, compensation, and reporting. Repeals the provisions on December 31, 2022. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Makes changes to the membership of the Commission. Specifies that one member must be from a special education cooperative that is not a member district of a special education cooperative. Provides that the one member who represents a nonpublic special education school may be an educator or an administrator (rather than educator only). Adds one member who represents private special education schools in rural school districts; adds one member who represents a residential program. Removes the member who is a parent of a high-cost special education student.