Children's Services Act; funds expended special education programs. (HB2117)

Introduced By

Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico) with support from 7 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:

Those copatrons are Del. Betsy Carr (D-Richmond), Del. Buddy Fowler (R-Ashland), Del. Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg), Del. Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church), Del. Martha Mugler (D-Hampton, Del. Kathleen Murphy (D-McLean), Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston)

Description

Children's Services Act; special education programs. Requires that funds expended for private special education services under the Children's Services Act only be expended on educational programs that are licensed by the Board of Education or an equivalent out-of-state licensing agency. The bill also provides that as of July 1, 2022, such funds may only be expended for programs that the Office of Children's Services certify as having reported their tuition rates. The bill adds children and youth previously placed in approved private school educational programs for at least six months who will receive transitional services in a public school setting to the target population for eligibility for the state pool of funds. The bill provides that state funds shall be allocated for no longer than 12 months for transitional services. The bill requires the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Resources, in conjunction with the Office of Children's Services and the Department of Education, to establish a work group with appropriate stakeholders to develop a detailed plan to direct the transfer of Children's Services Act funds currently reserved for children requiring an educational placement in a private special education day school or residential facility to the Department of Education, as well as several other topics. The bill requires that the work group submit its plan and recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Appropriations and Senate Committee on Finance and Appropriations by November 1, 2021, as well as a final plan and recommendations by November 1, 2022. This bill is identical to SB 1313. Read the Bill »

Status

08/02/2021: Awaiting a Vote in the Finance and Appropriations Committee

History