The proposed legislation, General Assembly Raised Bill No. 7123, aims to enhance educational policies for military families, particularly focusing on the enrollment process for children requiring special education services. The bill introduces new provisions that require local and regional boards of education to implement educational programs for children identified as eligible for special education at the start of each school year. Additionally, if a child of a military member enrolls in a new school due to relocation orders, the school board must take necessary actions to ensure a smooth transition, including transferring records and conducting evaluations within thirty days of enrollment.

Furthermore, the bill modifies residency requirements for children of military members seeking enrollment in schools. It allows these children to use military orders as proof of residency, ensuring they can enroll in schools even if they are not yet residents of the town. If a military member receives orders that change their residency during the school year, their child can continue attending the same school while the member remains in service. The bill also mandates that any denial of school accommodations based on residency must be communicated to the affected families, ensuring they are aware of their rights to appeal such decisions. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-76d