This bill establishes a commission to study current funding for special education services and potential alternative funding sources. The commission will consist of members from the House of Representatives, the Senate, school administrators, special education educators, teachers, school principals, school business officials, and the state director of Special Education. The commission will study student referral rates for special education programs, the cost of providing services that are not medically necessary, and estimate annual costs for various special education services. They will also study current funding sources for special education and potential alternative funding sources. The commission will report its findings and recommendations to the relevant legislative committees and submit an initial report by January 31, 2025, and a final report by January 31, 2026.
This bill also repeals a previous commission that evaluated and recommended standards for public schools. The repeal will take effect on January 31, 2026. The rest of the bill will take effect upon its passage.