This bill amends the requirements for special education services for children with disabilities who are placed in state facilities for detained or adjudicated youth or county correctional facilities. It also addresses alternative dispute resolution procedures. The bill requires the Department of Education to remove student records from the state special education information system on the same schedule as school districts. It redefines the responsibilities for the development of an individualized education program (IEP) and the financial responsibilities for the child's special education expenses, specifying which school district is liable based on the child's custody status and residence.

The bill clarifies that the school district's liability for educational expenses for a child with a disability in a state facility for detained or adjudicated youth or county correctional facilities shall not exceed the state average elementary cost per pupil. It also amends the definition of children for whom the Department of Health and Human Services has financial responsibility, excluding children placed in state facilities for detained or adjudicated youth. Furthermore, the bill states that the expenses for a child with a disability receiving services in a state facility for detained or adjudicated youth shall be the responsibility of the liable school district, which shall pay the established rate for the facility's special education program. Lastly, the bill mandates the Department of Education to adopt rules concerning procedures for alternative dispute resolution methods. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage, with an effective date of October 01, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186-C:19-a, 186-C:19-b, 186-C:20, 186-C:23
As Amended by the House: 186-C:19-a, 186-C:19-b, 186-C:20, 186-C:23
Version adopted by both bodies: 186-C:19-a, 186-C:19-b, 186-C:20, 186-C:23
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 186-C:19-a, 186-C:20, 186-C:23