The bill amends Section 16-7.2-6 of the General Laws under "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to revise the calculation of state funding provided to local education agencies for special education services. It specifies that extraordinary special education costs for fiscal year 2027 will be defined as educational costs that exceed three and one-half times the core foundation amount, and for fiscal year 2028, as costs that exceed three times the core foundation amount.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will provide appropriate funds for excess costs related to special education students who move into a district after the district has already approved its fiscal year budget. The department is also required to collect data on educational costs that exceed the state-approved threshold based on amounts above two times the core foundation amount.

The bill removes the requirement for the department to prorate funds among eligible school districts if total approved costs exceed available funding, instead allowing for the appropriation of funds in the following fiscal year for approved excess costs. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
109: 16-7.2-6