Existing law requires local educational agencies to identify, locate, and assess individuals with exceptional needs and to provide those individuals with a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, with special education and related services, as reflected in an individualized education program. Existing law defines special education as instruction specially designed for individuals with exceptional needs and instruction in physical education, and includes certain services, training, and education as special education, as specified.
This bill would add specialized deaf and hard of hearing services to those services included in special education. By expanding the scope of services required to be provided by local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
Existing law permits, under certain​ circumstances, contracts to be entered into for the provision of special education and related services by a​ nonpublic, nonsectarian school or nonpublic, nonsectarian agency, defined as a private, nonsectarian establishment or individual that provides related services necessary for an individual with exceptional needs to benefit educationally from the pupil's educational program pursuant to an individualized education program and that is certified by the department.
This bill would authorize, for these purposes, a nonpublic, nonsectarian agency to also provide specialized instruction by a credentialed teacher.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.

Statutes affected:
AB 784: 56031 EDC, 56035 EDC
02/18/25 - Introduced: 56031 EDC, 56035 EDC