Raised Bill No. 7217 introduces significant revisions to education statutes in Connecticut, primarily focusing on financial reporting, budgeting processes, and health assessments in public schools. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill requires superintendents to provide local boards of education with detailed financial information, including historical data for the previous two fiscal years and current fiscal year estimates, to enhance transparency in budgeting. It also repeals and substitutes existing language in Section 10-222, emphasizing the inclusion of historical financial data in budget proposals and requiring written explanations for any rejected recommendations from financial authorities. Additionally, the bill modifies Section 10-51 to ensure that regional school districts adhere to similar financial disclosure requirements, thereby improving fiscal oversight.

The bill further addresses school health assessments and the role of school resource officers, mandating that health assessment results be recorded on specific forms and establishing a memorandum of understanding with law enforcement regarding resource officers' responsibilities. It also introduces a pilot program for student attendance across various districts, allowing students from Danbury and Norwalk to attend schools in neighboring towns. Key amendments include the requirement for parental presence during health assessments, the documentation of asthma action plans, and the modification of out-of-school suspension conditions to prioritize in-school suspensions. Overall, Raised Bill No. 7217 aims to enhance educational funding mechanisms, improve student health monitoring, and streamline school discipline processes, promoting better educational outcomes and resource management.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-222, 10-233m, 10-153b, 10-206