Substitute Bill No. 1561 seeks to enhance special education resources and oversight in Connecticut by updating definitions, establishing financial frameworks, and introducing new support mechanisms. Key provisions include the repeal of Section 10-76a, replaced with new definitions such as "charging entity" and "unilateral placement," and an expansion of the age range for special education from three to eight years. The bill mandates the Office of Policy and Management, in collaboration with the Department of Education, to analyze tuition and fees for special education services, leading to the establishment of a biennial rate schedule. Additionally, it introduces a special education offset grant program and a transportation grant program to support local boards of education, ensuring that funds are used exclusively for special education purposes.

The bill also enhances accountability and compliance for private providers of special education services, requiring them to submit regular reports and undergo background checks for staff. It establishes an Office of the Educational Ombudsperson to assist families with educational issues and mandates the hiring of instructional support teachers by local boards. Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for behavioral health support, requiring individualized education programs (IEPs) to specify services for behavioral goals and establishing a commission to study special education funding and programming. Overall, Substitute Bill No. 1561 aims to improve the quality and accessibility of special education services while ensuring transparency and accountability in their administration.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-76a, 10-285a, 10-74u, 10-232a, 10-76d, 2-137, 10-76mm, 10-76b, 10-91j
SED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-76a, 10-285a, 10-74u, 10-232a, 10-76d, 2-137, 10-76mm, 10-91j
File No. 918: 10-76a, 10-285a, 10-232a, 10-76d, 2-137, 10-76mm, 10-91j
ED Joint Favorable: 10-76a, 10-285a, 10-74u, 10-232a, 10-76d, 2-137, 10-76mm, 10-91j