The bill proposes amendments to Section 16-7.2-6 of "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act," aiming to provide state funding for various educational programs and expenses. It introduces a definition for "extraordinary" special education costs, which are those exceeding five times the core foundation amount, and requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to prorate funds if necessary. The bill also mandates data collection on special education costs that are two to four times the core foundation amount. It further outlines funding for career and technical education, pre-kindergarten programs, specific educational funds, and transportation costs for students in certain situations. A regionalization bonus is established for public school districts that regionalize, with a phase-out schedule over three years. Additionally, the bill increases state support for English learners by applying a 10% factor to the core-instruction per-pupil amount, with a provision for prorating funds across various categories if costs exceed appropriations.

The bill repeals the existing provisions for state reimbursement for services and instructional programs for students in public housing, as outlined in § 16-7-34.3, and instead incorporates permanent foundation education aid funding for these services into § 16-7.2-6. It also provides definitions for the terms used in the new legal language. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage, indicating an immediate change to the funding structure for the specified educational services and programs.

Statutes affected:
94: 16-7.2-6, 16-7-34.3