This bill amends the current law regarding the distribution of special education aid to school districts by changing the cost threshold at which the state provides financial assistance. Specifically, it reduces the threshold from 3.5 times the estimated state average expenditure per pupil to 3.0 times. This adjustment is expected to allow more students to qualify for special education aid, thereby increasing the financial support available to school districts to help offset the costs associated with special education. The bill also includes provisions for emergency assistance funding, allowing the state to designate up to $250,000 for districts that qualify for such aid, with an additional $250,000 available for communities with 1,000 or fewer residents.

In terms of financial liability, the bill outlines that school districts will be responsible for costs up to 3.0 times the estimated state average expenditure per pupil, plus 20% of any additional costs, while the Department of Education will cover 80% of costs above this threshold, up to 10 times the average expenditure. The department will be liable for all costs exceeding this upper limit. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and its fiscal impact on state expenditures and local district revenue is currently indeterminable, as it depends on the number of students qualifying for aid each year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186-C:18