SPONSOR: Doll
This bill defines "a young child with a developmental delay" for the purposes of providing special educational services under the requirements of federal law. Such a child is:
(1) At least three years old but not older than nine years of age;
(2) Experiencing developmental delays, as measured by appropriate evaluative instruments and procedures, in one or more of the areas specified in the bill; and
(3) In need of special educational and related services.
The bill provides that children whose age makes them eligible for kindergarten or first grade can continue their eligibility as a young child with a developmental delay if the child had been categorized as such before reaching the age of nine.
This bill additionally provides that the category of "young child with a developmental delay" will not be used to determine continuing eligibility of special educational services for a student who is nine years of age before August 1st of a given school year. Eligibility for special educational services can be determined for such students through any other disability category.
This bill is the same as HB 654 (2025) similar to HCS HB 2696 (2024).
Statutes affected: