Substitute House Bill No. 7076 aims to provide education mandate relief by amending various sections of the general statutes related to public and special education. Key provisions include allowing early admission for children under five, contingent upon local school boards adopting an early admission policy that requires a written request from parents and an assessment by school staff. The bill also modifies the definition of "child" in special education, changing the age limit for certain provisions from twenty-two to twenty-one, and clarifies that eligibility for special education services ends when a student turns twenty-one or graduates high school, rather than at the end of the school year in which they turn twenty-two. Additionally, it mandates the State Board of Education to draft a bill of rights for parents of children receiving special education services.

The bill further addresses racial imbalances in public schools by extending the deadline for school boards to submit correction plans until July 1, 2029, and repeals certain reporting requirements. It also introduces a requirement for regional boards of education to create student success plans starting in grade six and allows students receiving special education services to enroll in postsecondary programs until they reach age twenty-two. The effective dates for these changes vary, with some provisions taking effect immediately and others set for July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance educational opportunities for students while reducing bureaucratic burdens on schools and families.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-15c, 10-95p, 10-226b, 10-226c, 10-226d, 10-234gg
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-15c, 10-95p, 10-226b, 10-226c, 10-226d, 10-234gg
File No. 621: 10-15c, 10-95p, 10-226b, 10-226c, 10-226d, 10-234gg