The proposed bill would update current statutes by introducing new procedures for parents of pupils residing in unorganized territories to request Child Find screenings, special education evaluations, or enrollments in the nearest adjoining school district. It would require school districts to take responsibility for Child Find activities and ensure that eligible pupils receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). Additionally, early intervention services programs would be mandated to notify the Arizona Department of Education and refer pupils for evaluations at least 90 days before their third birthday, facilitating a smoother transition to special education services. The bill also modifies the requirements for Certificates of Educational Convenience (CECs) by allowing parents to directly request enrollment in the nearest school district without going through open enrollment procedures. It stipulates that school districts must process CEC applications promptly and prohibits delays in Child Find activities due to pending CEC applications. Furthermore, it clarifies the responsibilities of school districts regarding pupils placed by state agencies or courts, ensuring they admit children placed in residential facilities within their boundaries and retain their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Overall, these updates aim to enhance access to educational services for children with disabilities and streamline the enrollment process for families in unorganized territories.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-768, 15-824, 15-825, 15-944, 15-947, 15-976, 15-761, 15-802, 15-901, 15-823, 15-816.01, 15-971, 15-903, 15-905, 41-1959, 35-173, 15-1181, 15-1204, 15-1102, 1979-1980, 1980-1981, 1981-1982, 1982-1983, 1983-1984, 1984-1985, 1985-1986, 15-946, 15-943, 15-945, 15-943.01, 15-825.01, 15-481, 15-974, 15-910, 15-910.01, 15-964
House Engrossed Version: 15-768, 15-816, 15-823.01, 15-824, 15-825, 15-944, 15-947, 15-976, 15-761, 15-802, 15-766, 15-816.01, 15-1911, 15-731, 91-260, 93-112, 101-336, 15-901, 15-823, 15-971, 15-903, 15-905, 41-1959, 2027-2028, 35-173, 15-1181, 15-1204, 15-1102, 1979-1980, 1980-1981, 1981-1982, 1982-1983, 1983-1984, 1984-1985, 1985-1986, 15-946, 15-943, 15-945, 15-943.01, 15-825.01, 15-481, 15-974, 15-910, 15-910.01, 15-964
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-768, 15-797, 15-816, 15-823, 15-823.01, 15-824, 15-825, 15-944, 15-947, 15-976, 15-1185, 15-761, 15-802, 15-766, 15-1181, 15-901, 15-183, 15-816.01, 2016-2017, 8-201, 2027-2028, 15-1911, 15-731, 91-260, 93-112, 101-336, 15-971, 15-903, 15-905, 41-1959, 35-173, 15-1204, 15-1102, 1979-1980, 1980-1981, 1981-1982, 1982-1983, 1983-1984, 1984-1985, 1985-1986, 15-946, 15-943, 15-945, 15-943.01, 15-825.01, 15-481, 15-974, 15-910, 15-910.01, 15-964
Chaptered Version: 15-768, 15-797, 15-816, 15-823, 15-823.01, 15-824, 15-825, 15-944, 15-947, 15-976, 15-1185, 15-761, 15-802, 15-766, 15-1181, 15-901, 15-183, 15-816.01, 2016-2017, 8-201, 2027-2028, 15-1911, 15-731, 91-260, 93-112, 101-336, 15-971, 15-903, 15-905, 41-1959, 35-173, 15-1204, 15-1102, 1979-1980, 1980-1981, 1981-1982, 1982-1983, 1983-1984, 1984-1985, 1985-1986, 15-946, 15-943, 15-945, 15-943.01, 15-825.01, 15-481, 15-974, 15-910, 15-910.01, 15-964