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 associated with special education students who move into a district after the district has 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 act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5282: 16-7.2-6