Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
Children & Family Services Committee |
|
HB 1804
Brief Description: Extending the ages included in special educational and training programs for disabled children.
Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson, Tom, Quall, Kagi, Linville, McDermott, Kirby, Kenney, Schual-Berke, Wood and Simpson.
Brief Summary of Bill |
• Requires school districts to provide early intervention services to all children with disabilities from birth to 3 years of age. |
Hearing Date: 2/24/03
Staff: Cynthia Forland (786-7152).
Background:
Special education is instruction and related services that are specially designed to meet the unique needs and abilities of students with disabilities. It is provided at no cost to eligible students in the state between 3 and 21 years of age.
School districts may provide early intervention services to eligible preschool-age children with a disability. School districts that provide these services are entitled to the regular apportionments from state and county school funds, as provided by law, in addition to allocations from state excess cost funds made available for special services for children with disabilities.
If school districts opt to serve eligible preschool-age children, they must do so in the birth-through-2-years age group under regulations implementing Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is the lead state agency responsible for early intervention services to children with a disability in the birth-through-2-years age group.
Summary of Bill:
School districts are required, rather than allowed, to extend special educational and training programs for children with disabilities to children from birth to 3 years of age. School districts are required to provide early intervention services to all children with disabilities from birth to 3 years of age.
School districts are required to provide these services in partnership with county birth-to-3 lead agencies and birth-to-3 providers. The payor of last resort for the early intervention services must be the designated birth-to-3 lead agency.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.