SB 1313

Abstract

Children's Services Act; special education programs. Requires that funds expended for private special education services under the Children's Services Act only be expended on educational programs that are licensed by the Board of Education or an equivalent out-of-state licensing agency. The bill also provides that as of July 1, 2022, such funds may only be expended for programs that the Office of Children's Services certify as having reported their tuition rates.The bill adds children and youth previously placed in approved private school educational programs for at least six months who will receive transitional services in a public school setting to the target population for eligibility for the state pool of funds. The bill provides that state funds shall be allocated for no longer than 12 months for transitional services.The bill requires the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Resources, in conjunction with the Office of Children's Services and the Department of Education, to establish a work group (the Work Group) with appropriate stakeholders to develop a detailed plan to direct the transfer of Children's Services Act funds currently reserved for children requiring an educational placement in a private special education day school or residential facility to the Department of Education, as well as several other topics. The bill requires that the Work Group submit its plan and recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by November 1, 2021, as well as a final plan and recommendations by November 1, 2022.

Children's Services Act; special education programs. Requires that funds expended for special education services underthe Children's Services Act only be expended on educational programsthat are licensed by the Department of Education. The bill adds childrenand youth previously placed in approved private school educationalprograms for at least six months, who will receive transitional servicesin a public school setting for no longer than 12 months, to the targetpopulation for eligibility for the state pool of funds. The billrequires the Secretary of Education, in conjunction with the Officeof Children's Services and the Department of Education, to establisha work group (the Work Group) with appropriate stakeholders to developa detailed plan to direct the transfer of Children's Services Actfunds currently reserved for children requiring an educational placementin a private special education day school or residential facilityto the Department of Education and to develop a standardized reportingprocess, template, and reporting requirement for private specialeducation day school tuition rates to ensure that tuition rates canbe accurately compared across schools and over time. The bill requiresthat the Work Group submit its plan and recommendations to the Chairmenof the House Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee onFinance and Appropriations by November 1, 2021.