Substitute House Bill No. 6644 with File No. 90 amends the general statutes to enhance the distribution of information regarding special education to families and students in Connecticut. The bill requires the State Department of Education to create an informational handout for students that explains the individualized education program (IEP) or a Section 504 plan, including student rights under these programs. This handout must be age-appropriate, translated into multiple languages, and include a glossary of terms. Local and regional boards of education are tasked with providing this handout to each child with an IEP or 504 plan. Additionally, the bill mandates that parents, guardians, or pupils receive information about special education laws, rights, resources, and the hearing and appeals process in case of disagreements regarding the IEP.

The bill also stipulates that Birth to Three individual service coordinators must meet with parents or guardians three months before a child's third birthday to discuss the transition to preschool programs and share the child's individualized family service plan (IFSP) with the school district's special education contact. There is a potential fiscal impact on local and regional school districts, with estimated printing costs of less than $10,000 annually, subject to inflation. The bill has been favorably received by the Committee on Children with a unanimous vote and is set to take effect from July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-76d
KID Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 90: