Bill Text: CT SB00942 | 2015 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: An Act Implementing The Budget Recommendations Of The Governor Concerning Education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-30 - Change of Reference, House to Committee on Appropriations [SB00942 Detail]
Download: Connecticut-2015-SB00942-Introduced.html
General Assembly |
Governor's Bill No. 942 | ||
January Session, 2015 |
LCO No. 3992 | ||
*03992__________* | |||
Referred to Committee on EDUCATION |
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Introduced by: |
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SEN. LOONEY, 11th Dist. SEN. DUFF, 25th Dist. REP. SHARKEY, 88th Dist. REP. ARESIMOWICZ, 30th Dist. |
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AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GOVERNOR CONCERNING EDUCATION.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (i) of section 10-217a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2008, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this section.
Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 10-281 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2004, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this section.
Sec. 3. Subsection (d) of section 10-71 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2004, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to towns, regional boards of education or regional educational service centers in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section for such year.
Sec. 4. Section 10-17g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
Annually, the board of education for each local and regional school district that is required to provide a program of bilingual education, pursuant to section 10-17f, may make application to the State Board of Education and shall thereafter receive a grant in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying the total appropriation available for such purpose by the ratio which the number of eligible children in the school district bears to the total number of such eligible children state-wide. The board of education for each local and regional school district receiving funds pursuant to this section shall annually, on or before September first, submit to the State Board of Education a progress report which shall include (1) measures of increased educational opportunities for eligible students, including language support services and language transition support services provided to such students, (2) program evaluation and measures of the effectiveness of its bilingual education and English as a second language programs, including data on students in bilingual education programs and students educated exclusively in English as a second language programs, and (3) certification by the board of education submitting the report that any funds received pursuant to this section have been used for the purposes specified. The State Board of Education shall annually evaluate programs conducted pursuant to section 10-17f. For purposes of this section, measures of the effectiveness of bilingual education and English as a second language programs include mastery examination results, under section 10-14n, and graduation and school dropout rates. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2009, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of grants payable to local or regional boards of education under this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.
Sec. 5. Subsection (e) of section 10-66j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2004, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of grants payable to regional educational service centers shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.
Sec. 6. Subdivision (2) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(2) For purposes of this subdivision, "public agency" includes the offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general statutes, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1987, and each fiscal year thereafter, whenever a public agency, other than a local or regional board of education, the State Board of Education or the Superior Court acting pursuant to section 10-76h, places a child in a foster home, group home, hospital, state institution, receiving home, custodial institution or any other residential or day treatment facility, and such child requires special education, the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child would otherwise be attending school or, if no such board can be identified, the local or regional board of education of the town where the child is placed, shall provide the requisite special education and related services to such child in accordance with the provisions of this section. Within one business day of such a placement by the Department of Children and Families or offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, said department or offices shall orally notify the local or regional board of education responsible for providing special education and related services to such child of such placement. The department or offices shall provide written notification to such board of such placement within two business days of the placement. Such local or regional board of education shall convene a planning and placement team meeting for such child within thirty days of the placement and shall invite a representative of the Department of Children and Families or offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe to participate in such meeting. (A) The local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction such child would otherwise be attending school shall be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of such special education and related services in an amount equal to the lesser of one hundred per cent of the costs of such education or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-76f. The State Board of Education shall pay on a current basis, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, any costs in excess of such local or regional board's basic contributions paid by such board of education in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision. (B) Whenever a child is placed pursuant to this subdivision, on or after July 1, 1995, by the Department of Children and Families and the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction such child would otherwise be attending school cannot be identified, the local or regional board of education under whose jurisdiction the child attended school or in whose district the child resided at the time of removal from the home by said department shall be responsible for the reasonable costs of special education and related services provided to such child, for one calendar year or until the child is committed to the state pursuant to section 46b-129 or 46b-140 or is returned to the child's parent or guardian, whichever is earlier. If the child remains in such placement beyond one calendar year the Department of Children and Families shall be responsible for such costs. During the period the local or regional board of education is responsible for the reasonable cost of special education and related services pursuant to this subparagraph, the board shall be responsible for such costs in an amount equal to the lesser of one hundred per cent of the costs of such education and related services or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 10-76f. The State Board of Education shall pay on a current basis, except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, any costs in excess of such local or regional board's basic contributions paid by such board of education in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision. The costs for services other than educational shall be paid by the state agency which placed the child. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to the school districts established within the Department of Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-37 or the Department of Correction, pursuant to section 18-99a, provided in any case in which special education is being provided at a private residential institution, including the residential components of regional educational service centers, to a child for whom no local or regional board of education can be found responsible under subsection (b) of this section, Unified School District #2 shall provide the special education and related services and be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of such special education instruction for such children. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2010, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subdivision shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subdivision for such year.
Sec. 7. Subsection (d) of section 10-76g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2010, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section, except grants paid in accordance with subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2006, and June 30, 2007, and for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2010, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section for such year.
Sec. 8. Subsection (b) of section 10-253 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(b) The board of education of the school district under whose jurisdiction a child would otherwise be attending school shall be financially responsible for the reasonable costs of education for a child placed out by the Commissioner of Children and Families or by other agencies, including, but not limited to, offices of a government of a federally recognized Native American tribe, in a private residential facility when such child requires educational services other than special education services. Such financial responsibility shall be the lesser of one hundred per cent of the costs of such education or the average per pupil educational costs of such board of education for the prior fiscal year, determined in accordance with subsection (a) of section 10-76f. Any costs in excess of the board's basic contribution shall be paid by the State Board of Education on a current basis. The costs for services other than educational shall be paid by the state agency which placed the child. Application for the grant to be paid by the state for costs in excess of the local or regional board of education's basic contribution shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (5) of subsection (e) of section 10-76d. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2004, to June 30, 2007, inclusive, and for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2010, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this subsection shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this subsection for such year.
Sec. 9. Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 10-266m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2004, [to June 30, 2015, inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of transportation grants payable to local or regional boards of education shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for such grants for such year.
Sec. 10. Subsection (c) of section 10-19m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(c) The Commissioner of [Education] Children and Families shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing minimum standards for such youth service bureaus and the criteria for qualifying for state cost-sharing grants, including, but not limited to, allowable sources of funds covering the local share of the costs of operating such bureaus, acceptable in-kind contributions and application procedures. Said commissioner shall, on December 1, 2011, and biennially thereafter, report to the General Assembly on the referral or diversion of children under the age of eighteen years from the juvenile justice system and the court system. Such report shall include, but not be limited to, the number of times any child is so diverted, the number of children diverted, the type of service provided to any such child, by whom such child was diverted, the ages of the children diverted and such other information and statistics as the General Assembly may request from time to time. Any such report shall contain no identifying information about any particular child.
Sec. 11. Section 10-19n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
To assist municipalities and private youth-serving organizations designated to act as agents for such municipalities in establishing, maintaining or expanding such youth service bureaus, the state, acting through the Commissioner of [Education] Children and Families, shall provide cost-sharing grants, subject to the provisions of this section for (1) the cost of an administrative core unit and (2) the cost of the direct services unit provided by such youth service bureau. No state grant shall be made for capital expenditures of such bureaus. All youth service bureaus shall submit a request for a grant, pursuant to this section and sections 10-19m, as amended by this act, and 10-19o, as amended by this act, on or before May fifteenth of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year for which such grant is requested.
Sec. 12. Section 10-19o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The Commissioner of [Education] Children and Families shall establish a program to provide grants to youth service bureaus in accordance with this section. Only youth service bureaus which were eligible to receive grants pursuant to this section for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, or which applied for a grant by June 30, 2012, with prior approval of the town's contribution pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to this section for any fiscal year commencing on or after July 1, 2012. Each such youth service bureau shall receive a grant of fourteen thousand dollars. The Department of [Education] Children and Families may expend an amount not to exceed two per cent of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section for administrative expenses. If there are any remaining funds, each such youth service bureau that was awarded a grant in excess of fifteen thousand dollars in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, shall receive a percentage of such funds. The percentage shall be determined as follows: For each such grant in excess of fifteen thousand dollars, the difference between the amount of the grant awarded to the youth service bureau for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1995, and fifteen thousand dollars shall be divided by the difference between the total amount of the grants awarded to all youth service bureaus that were awarded grants in excess of fifteen thousand dollars for said fiscal year and the product of fifteen thousand dollars and the number of such grants for said fiscal year.
(b) In order for a youth service bureau to receive the full amount of the state grant determined pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, a town shall contribute an amount equal to the amount of the state grant. A town shall provide not less than fifty per cent of its contribution from funds appropriated by the town for that purpose, and the remaining amount in other funds or in-kind contributions in accordance with regulations adopted by the [State Board of Education] Commissioner of Children and Families in accordance with chapter 54.
(c) Any funds remaining due to a town's failure to match funds as provided in subsection (b) of this section shall be redistributed in accordance with the provisions of this section. The [State Board of Education] Commissioner of Children and Families shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to coordinate the youth service bureau program and to administer the grant system established pursuant to this section and sections 10-19m, as amended by this act, and 10-19n, as amended by this act.
Sec. 13. Section 10-19p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
The Department of [Education] Children and Families shall provide grant management services, program monitoring, program evaluation and technical assistance to such state-aided youth service bureaus, and the [commissioner] Commissioner of Children and Families may assign or appoint necessary personnel to perform such duties, subject to the provisions of chapter 67.
Sec. 14. Subsection (a) of section 10-215b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The State Board of Education is authorized to expend in each fiscal year an amount equal to [(1)] the money required pursuant to the matching requirements [of said] under federal laws governing breakfast and lunch programs and shall disburse the same in accordance with [said] such federal laws. [, and (2) ten cents per lunch served in the prior school year in accordance with said laws by any local or regional board of education, the technical high school system or governing authority of a state charter school, interdistrict magnet school or endowed academy approved pursuant to section 10-34 that participates in the National School Lunch Program and certifies pursuant to section 10-215f that the nutrition standards established by the Department of Education pursuant to section 10-215e shall be met.]
Sec. 15. Section 10-215a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
Nonpublic schools and nonprofit agencies may participate in the school breakfast, lunch and other feeding programs provided in sections 10-215 to 10-215b under such regulations as may be promulgated by the State Board of Education in conformance with said sections and under the federal laws governing said programs. [, except that such schools, other than the endowed academies approved pursuant to section 10-34, and agencies shall not be eligible for the funding described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-215b.]
Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 10-74d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The Department of Education shall, within available appropriations and after payments made pursuant to section 10-266j and for purposes of subsection (d) of section 10-266aa, maintain a competitive grant program for the purpose of assisting local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers and nonsectarian nonprofit organizations approved by the Commissioner of Education with the establishment and operation of interdistrict cooperative programs that assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al., as determined by the commissioner. Such programs may include programs pursuant to section 10-266bb, lighthouse schools, as defined in section 10-266cc, and programs conducted by interdistrict magnet schools, provided such magnet school programs (1) are conducted at the magnet school, (2) primarily serve children not enrolled in the magnet school, and (3) are not programs for which a local or regional board of education or a regional educational service center receives funds pursuant to section 10-264h or 10-264l, as amended by this act.
Sec. 17. Section 17b-751d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
The Office of Early Childhood shall be the lead state agency for community-based, prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect. The responsibilities of the office shall include, but not be limited to, collaborating with state agencies, hospitals, clinics, schools and community service organizations, to: (1) Initiate programs to support families at risk for child abuse or neglect; (2) assist organizations to recognize child abuse and neglect; (3) encourage community safety; (4) increase broad-based efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect; (5) create a network of agencies to advance child abuse and neglect prevention; and (6) increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect issues. The office, subject to available state, federal and private funding, shall be responsible for implementing and maintaining programs and services, including, but not limited to: (A) The Nurturing Families Network, established pursuant to subsection (a) of section 17b-751b; (B) [Family Empowerment Initiative programs; (C) Help Me Grow; (D) Family School Connection; (E)] support services for residents of a respite group home for girls; [(F)] (C) volunteer services; [(G)] (D) family development training; [(H)] (E) shaken baby syndrome prevention; and [(I)] (F) child sexual abuse prevention.
Sec. 18. Subsection (a) of section 10-266p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The State Board of Education shall administer a priority school district grant program to assist certain school districts to improve student achievement and enhance educational opportunities. [The grant program shall include the priority school district portions of the grant programs established pursuant to sections 10-265f, 10-265m and 10-266t.] The grant program [and its component parts] shall be for school districts in (1) the eight towns in the state with the largest population, based on the most recent federal decennial census, (2) towns which rank for the first fiscal year of each biennium from one to eleven when all towns are ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on the number of children under the temporary family assistance program, as defined in subdivision (17) of section 10-262f, plus the mastery count of the town, as defined in subdivision (13) of section 10-262f, and (3) towns which rank for the first fiscal year of each biennium one to eleven when all towns are ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on the ratio of the number of children under the temporary family assistance program as so defined to the resident students of such town, as defined in subdivision (22) of section 10-262f, plus the grant mastery percentage of the town, as defined in subdivision (12) of section 10-262f. The State Board of Education shall utilize the categorical grant program established under this section and sections 10-266q and 10-266r and other educational resources of the state to work cooperatively with such school districts during any school year to improve their educational programs or early reading intervention programs. [The component parts of the grant shall be allocated according to the provisions of sections 10-265f, 10-265m and 10-266t.] Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-276a, the State Board of Education shall allocate one million dollars to each of the eight towns described in subdivision (1) of this subsection and five hundred thousand dollars to each of the towns described in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, except the towns described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not receive any additional allocation if they are also described in subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection.
Sec. 19. Section 10-226p of the general statutes is amended by adding subsection (j) as follows (Effective July 1, 2015):
(NEW) (j) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to local or regional boards of education in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section for such year.
Sec. 20. Subsection (a) of section 10-223h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) The Commissioner of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, a commissioner's network of schools to improve student academic achievement in low-performing schools. [On or before July 1, 2014, the] The commissioner may select not more than twenty-five schools in any single school year that have been classified as a category four school or a category five school pursuant to section 10-223e to participate in the commissioner's network of schools. The commissioner shall issue guidelines regarding the development of turnaround plans, and such guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, annual deadlines for the submission or nonsubmission of a turnaround plan and annual deadlines for approval or rejection of turnaround plans. The commissioner shall give preference for selection in the commissioner's network of schools to such schools (1) that volunteer to participate in the commissioner's network of schools, provided the local or regional board of education for such school and the representatives of the exclusive bargaining unit for certified employees chosen pursuant to section 10-153b mutually agree to participate in the commissioner's network of schools, (2) in which an existing collective bargaining agreement between the local or regional board of education for such school and the representatives of the exclusive bargaining unit for certified employees chosen pursuant to section 10-153b will have expired for the school year in which a turnaround plan will be implemented, or (3) that are located in school districts that (A) have experience in school turnaround reform, or (B) previously received a school improvement grant pursuant to Section 1003(g) of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 20 USC 6301 et seq. The commissioner [shall not] may select not more than [two] eight schools in any single school year from a single school district [in a single school year and shall not select more than four schools in total from a single district] to participate in the commissioner's network of schools. Each school so selected shall begin implementation of a turnaround plan, as described in subsection (d) of this section. [, not later than the school year commencing July 1, 2014.] Each school so selected shall participate in the commissioner's network of schools for three school years, and may continue such participation for an additional year, not to exceed two additional years, upon approval from the State Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of subsection (h) of this section. The commissioner shall provide funding, technical assistance and operational support to schools participating in the commissioner's network of schools and may provide financial support to teachers and administrators working at a school that is participating in the commissioner's network of schools. All costs attributable to developing and implementing a turnaround plan in excess of the ordinary operating expenses for such school shall be paid by the State Board of Education.
Sec. 21. Section 17a-248 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
As used in this section and sections 17a-248b to 17a-248g, inclusive, 38a-490a and 38a-516a, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of [Developmental Services] Early Childhood.
(2) "Council" means the State Interagency Birth-to-Three Coordinating Council established pursuant to section 17a-248b.
(3) "Early intervention services" means early intervention services, as defined in 34 CFR Part 303.13, as from time to time amended.
(4) "Eligible children" means children from birth to thirty-six months of age, who are not eligible for special education and related services pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76h, inclusive, and who need early intervention services because such children are:
(A) Experiencing a significant developmental delay as measured by standardized diagnostic instruments and procedures, including informed clinical opinion, in one or more of the following areas: (i) Cognitive development; (ii) physical development, including vision or hearing; (iii) communication development; (iv) social or emotional development; or (v) adaptive skills; or
(B) Diagnosed as having a physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.
(5) "Evaluation" means a multidisciplinary professional, objective assessment conducted by appropriately qualified personnel in order to determine a child's eligibility for early intervention services.
(6) "Individualized family service plan" means a written plan for providing early intervention services to an eligible child and the child's family.
(7) "Lead agency" means the [Department of Developmental Services] Office of Early Childhood, the public agency responsible for the administration of the birth-to-three system in collaboration with the participating agencies.
(8) "Parent" means (A) a biological, adoptive or foster parent of a child; (B) a guardian, except for the Commissioner of Children and Families; (C) an individual acting in the place of a biological or adoptive parent, including, but not limited to, a grandparent, stepparent, or other relative with whom the child lives; (D) an individual who is legally responsible for the child's welfare; or (E) an individual appointed to be a surrogate parent.
(9) "Participating agencies" includes, but is not limited to, the Departments of Education, Social Services, Public Health, Children and Families and Developmental Services, the Office of Early Childhood, the Insurance Department, the Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.
(10) "Qualified personnel" means persons who meet the standards specified in 34 CFR Part 303.31, as from time to time amended, and who are licensed physicians or psychologists or persons holding a state-approved or recognized license, certificate or registration in one or more of the following fields: (A) Special education, including teaching of the blind and the deaf; (B) speech and language pathology and audiology; (C) occupational therapy; (D) physical therapy; (E) social work; (F) nursing; (G) dietary or nutritional counseling; and (H) other fields designated by the commissioner that meet requirements that apply to the area in which the person is providing early intervention services, provided there is no conflict with existing professional licensing, certification and registration requirements.
(11) "Service coordinator" means a person carrying out service coordination services, as defined in 34 CFR Part 303.34, as from time to time amended.
(12) "Primary care provider" means physicians and advanced practice registered nurses, licensed by the Department of Public Health, who are responsible for performing or directly supervising the primary care services for children enrolled in the birth-to-three program.
Sec. 22. Subsection (e) of section 17a-248g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(e) The commissioner shall establish and periodically revise, in accordance with this section, a schedule of fees based on a sliding scale for early intervention services. The schedule of fees shall consider the cost of such services relative to the financial resources of the state and the parents or legal guardians of eligible children, provided that on and after October 6, 2009, the commissioner shall (1) charge fees to such parents or legal guardians that are sixty per cent greater than the amount of the fees charged on the date prior to October 6, 2009; and (2) charge fees for all services provided, including those services provided in the first two months following the enrollment of a child in the program. Fees may be charged to any such parent or guardian, regardless of income, and shall be charged to any such parent or guardian with a gross annual family income of forty-five thousand dollars or more, except that no fee may be charged to the parent or guardian of a child who is eligible for Medicaid. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (8) of section 17a-248, as used in this subsection, "parent" means the biological or adoptive parent or legal guardian of any child receiving early intervention services. The [Department of Developmental Services] lead agency may assign its right to collect fees to a designee or provider participating in the early intervention program and providing services to a recipient in order to assist the provider in obtaining payment for such services. The commissioner may implement procedures for the collection of the schedule of fees while in the process of adopting or amending such criteria in regulation, provided the commissioner prints notice of intention to adopt or amend the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing the policy. Such collection procedures and schedule of fees shall be valid until the time the final regulations or amendments are effective.
Sec. 23. Subsection (b) of section 10-221m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(b) On or before October 1, 2001, each local or regional board of education for a priority school district shall revise the plan developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and implement such revised plan. The revised plan shall provide for a five-year school-based in-service reading instruction training program for the professional development of each elementary school's librarian, principal, reading specialist, special education teachers, speech and language specialists and classroom teachers in grades kindergarten to three, inclusive. Such plan shall (1) utilize the school-based training model developed by the State-Wide Early Reading Success Institute pursuant to section 10-221l, and (2) require the board of education to appoint a new or existing employee to serve as a school-based content specialist coordinator. [The local or regional board of education may use funds received by the school district pursuant to section 10-265f for teacher training based on the plan.]
Sec. 24. Subsection (c) of section 10-265h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(c) Priority school districts shall receive grants based on [the formula established in subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 10-265f] their proportional share of the sum of the products obtained by multiplying the number of enrolled kindergarten students in each priority school district for the year prior to the year the grant is to be paid, by the ratio of the average percentage of free and reduced price meals for all severe need schools in such district to the minimum percentage requirement for severe need school eligibility. No funds received by a school district pursuant to this section shall be used to supplant federal, state or local funding received by such town for improvements to school buildings.
Sec. 25. Subsection (d) of section 10-265i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(d) Priority school districts shall receive grants based on [the formula established in subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 10-265f] their proportional share of the sum of the products obtained by multiplying the number of enrolled kindergarten students in each priority school district for the year prior to the year the grant is to be paid, by the ratio of the average percentage of free and reduced price meals for all severe need schools in such district to the minimum percentage requirement for severe need school eligibility. The Department of Education may retain up to one per cent of the amount of funds appropriated for purposes of this section for coordination, program evaluation and administration.
Sec. 26. Section 10-265j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
The Commissioner of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, two model early childhood learning programs associated with institutions of higher education. Each program may include a laboratory school and a model day care program that serves sixty children ages three to five. Eligibility shall be determined for a five-year period. Grant awards shall be made annually during the five-year eligibility period, contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory annual evaluation. The Department of Education shall issue a request for proposals for the programs. The commissioner shall provide grants in the amount of one hundred thousand dollars each for purposes of such programs. [The grants shall be provided from the amount appropriated for purposes of section 10-265f.]
Sec. 27. Subsection (h) of section 10-285a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(h) Subject to the provisions of section 10-285d, if an elementary school building project for a school in a priority school district or for a priority school is necessary in order to offer a full-day kindergarten program or a full-day preschool program or to reduce class size, [pursuant to section 10-265f,] the percentage determined pursuant to this section shall be increased by ten percentage points for the portion of the building used primarily for such full-day kindergarten program, full-day preschool program or such reduced size classes. Recipient districts that receive an increase pursuant to this subsection in support of a full-day preschool program, shall maintain full-day preschool enrollment for at least ten years.
Sec. 28. Section 10-285d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
In order to be eligible for the percentage increase pursuant to subsection (h) of section 10-285a: (1) The project shall be [(A) included in a plan developed pursuant to section 10-265f, and (B)] for a particular full-day kindergarten class or reduced-sized class; [funded pursuant to section 10-265f;] (2) the local or regional board of education shall present evidence to the Department of Administrative Services that the project is the best option for solving the need for additional space and is cost-efficient; and (3) the project shall meet the requirements established in this chapter.
Sec. 29. Subdivision (4) of section 10-74f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(4) Each student in the school have an individual education plan that incorporates the student's personal reading plan, [if the student is required to have a reading plan pursuant to section 10-265g or 10-265l,] provided any child with an individual educational program developed pursuant to section 10-76d follows such program.
Sec. 30. Subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of section 10-264l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(4) The amounts of the grants determined pursuant to this subsection shall be proportionately adjusted, if necessary, within available appropriations, and in no case shall any grant pursuant to this section exceed the reasonable operating budget of the interdistrict magnet school program, less revenues from other sources. For the fiscal [year] years ending June 30, 2015, to July 1, 2017, inclusive, the department may limit payment to an interdistrict magnet school operator to an amount equal to the grant that such magnet school operator was eligible to receive based on the enrollment level of the interdistrict magnet school program on October 1, 2013. Approval of funding for enrollment above such enrollment level shall be prioritized by the department as follows: (A) Increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is adding planned new grade levels [; (B)] for the school years commencing July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016; (B) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that added planned new grade levels for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and was funded during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; (C) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is moving into a permanent facility for the school [year] years commencing July 1, 2014, [; (C)] to July 1, 2016, inclusive; (D) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program to ensure compliance with subsection (a) of this section; and [(D)] (E) new enrollments for a new interdistrict magnet school program commencing operations on or after July 1, 2014, pursuant to the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. Any interdistrict magnet school program operating less than full-time, but at least half-time, shall be eligible to receive a grant equal to sixty-five per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to this subsection.
Sec. 31. Section 1-1n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
As used in sections 4a-60, 8-169s, 8-265c, 8-294, 8-315, 10-15c, 10-153, 10a-6, [11-24b,] 16-245r, 16-247r, 28-15, 31-22p, 31-57e, 32-277, 38a-358, 42-125a, 42-125b, 46a-81aa, 52-571d and 53-37a, "gender identity or expression" means a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose.
Sec. 32. Subdivision (2) of subsection (f) of section 11-1 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(2) The council shall consist of the following persons: Three public library representatives, one of whom shall be from a tax-supported public library serving a population of less than ten thousand, one of whom shall be from such a library serving a population of ten thousand or more and less than one hundred thousand and one of whom shall be from such a library serving a population of one hundred thousand or more; one representative of a cooperating library service unit; one representative of libraries which participate in shared automated library systems; one representative of the Connecticut Library Association; one special library representative; one representative from the academic library community; one representative from the school library community; one representative of institution libraries; one representative of a library serving the handicapped; one representative from the Department of Education; one representative from the Board of Regents for Higher Education; and six users of libraries represented on the council. The State Librarian shall represent the board and shall be an ex-officio, nonvoting member. The council shall designate one of its members to serve as a liaison to the board. For purposes of this subdivision, a "cooperating library service unit" means an organization of different types of libraries situated in a stipulated area of the state whose purpose is to improve library service through coordinated planning, resource sharing, and the development of programs too costly or impractical for a single library to maintain.
Sec. 33. Section 11-1b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
The State Library Board shall [promulgate] adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to implement the provisions of [sections] section 11-1a. [, 11-24b and 11-31a.]
Sec. 34. Subsection (a) of section 11-24a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
(a) As used in [sections 11-24b,] section 11-24c: [and 11-31a:]
(1) "Board" means the State Library Board.
(2) "Public library" means a library that serves its residents through its outlet or outlets without charging a borrower's card fee and which receives its financial support in whole or in part from local tax funds.
[(3) "Principal public library" means the public library which has been so designated by the local municipal governing board.]
[(4)] (3) "Local funds" means moneys received by a public library from any source, public or private, excluding state or federal grants.
[(5) "General library purposes" means all functions of a public library, including the purchase of land or the construction, alteration or remodeling of buildings.]
Sec. 35. Section 46a-81aa of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2015):
The provisions of subsection (a) of section 4a-60, subsection (c) of section 8-169s, section 8-265c, subsection (c) of section 8-294, section 8-315, subsection (a) of section 10-15c, section 10-153, subsection (b) of section 10a-6, [subsection (a) of section 11-24b,] sections 16-245r and 16-247r, subsection (b) of section 28-15, section 31-22p, subsection (e) of section 31-57e, sections 32-277, 38a-358 and 42-125a, subsection (c) of section 42-125b, subsection (a) of section 46a-58, subsection (a) of section 46a-59, subsection (a) of section 46a-60, subsection (a) of section 46a-64, subsections (a) and (e) of section 46a-64c, subsection (a) of section 46a-66, subsection (a) of section 46a-70, subsection (a) of section 46a-71, subsection (b) of section 46a-72, subsection (a) of section 46a-73, subsection (a) of section 46a-75, subsection (a) of section 46a-76, subsections (b) and (c) of section 52-571d and section 53-37a that prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression shall not apply to a religious corporation, entity, association, educational institution or society with respect to the employment of individuals to perform work connected with the carrying on by such corporation, entity, association, educational institution or society of its activities, or with respect to matters of discipline, faith, internal organization or ecclesiastical rule, custom or law which are established by such corporation, entity, association, educational institution or society.
Sec. 36. Sections 7-127d to 7-127g, inclusive, 10-4u, 10-19q, 10-69a, 10-262t, 10-265f, 10-265g, 10-265k, 10-265l, 10-265m, 10-265p, 10-265q, 10-266t, 10-266u, 10-373aa, 10-373bb, 11-9e, 11-24b and 11-31a to 11-31c, inclusive, of the general statutes are repealed. (Effective July 1, 2015)
Sec. 37. Sections 231 and 233 of public act 12-1 of the June 12 special session and section 173 of public act 13-247 are repealed. (Effective July 1, 2015)
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: | ||
Section 1 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-217a(i) |
Sec. 2 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-281(b) |
Sec. 3 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-71(d) |
Sec. 4 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-17g |
Sec. 5 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-66j(e) |
Sec. 6 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-76d(e)(2) |
Sec. 7 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-76g(d) |
Sec. 8 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-253(b) |
Sec. 9 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-266m(a)(4) |
Sec. 10 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-19m(c) |
Sec. 11 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-19n |
Sec. 12 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-19o |
Sec. 13 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-19p |
Sec. 14 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-215b(a) |
Sec. 15 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-215a |
Sec. 16 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-74d(a) |
Sec. 17 |
July 1, 2015 |
17b-751d |
Sec. 18 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-266p(a) |
Sec. 19 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-226p |
Sec. 20 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-223h(a) |
Sec. 21 |
July 1, 2015 |
17a-248 |
Sec. 22 |
July 1, 2015 |
17a-248g(e) |
Sec. 23 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-221m(b) |
Sec. 24 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-265h(c) |
Sec. 25 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-265i(d) |
Sec. 26 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-265j |
Sec. 27 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-285a(h) |
Sec. 28 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-285d |
Sec. 29 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-74f(4) |
Sec. 30 |
July 1, 2015 |
10-264l(c)(4) |
Sec. 31 |
July 1, 2015 |
1-1n |
Sec. 32 |
July 1, 2015 |
11-1(f)(2) |
Sec. 33 |
July 1, 2015 |
11-1b |
Sec. 34 |
July 1, 2015 |
11-24a(a) |
Sec. 35 |
July 1, 2015 |
46a-81aa |
Sec. 36 |
July 1, 2015 |
Repealer section |
Sec. 37 |
July 1, 2015 |
Repealer section |
Statement of Purpose:
To implement the Governor's budget recommendations.
[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]