BILL REQ. #:  S-0331.1 

Read first time 01/14/2005.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education.

     AN ACT Relating to early intervention services for children with disabilities; adding new sections to chapter 28A.155 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     The legislature finds an urgent and substantial need to enhance the development of all infants and toddlers with disabilities in Washington in order to minimize developmental delays and to maximize individual potential for learning and functioning.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     By September 1, 2008, each school district shall provide or contract for early intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age. Eligibility shall be determined according to Part C of the federal individuals with disabilities education act and as specified in the Washington Administrative Code. School districts shall provide or contract for early intervention services in partnership with local birth-to-three lead agencies and birth-to-three providers. Services provided under this section shall not supplant services or funding currently provided in the state for early intervention services to eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age. The state-designated birth-to-three lead agency shall be payor of last resort for birth-to-three early intervention services provided under this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) There is established a birth-to-three task force to make recommendations concerning policies, procedures, and regulations in order to ensure implementation of an equitable statewide comprehensive system for all eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age.
     (2) Members of the task force shall be jointly appointed by the governor and the superintendent of public instruction by July 1, 2005, and shall include, at a minimum, the following:
     (a) Representatives of the following: Special education operations within the office of superintendent of public instruction; the Washington association of school administrators; the Washington state school directors' association; an educational service district; a large school district; the special education advisory council; the infant toddler early intervention program within the department of social and health services; the developmental disabilities section of the association of county human services; the medical assistance administration within the department of social and health services; the governor's head start state collaboration office; the division of child care and early learning within the department of social and health services; the children with special health care needs program within the department of health; a local health department/district; an Indian tribe providing early intervention services; the Washington state chapter of the American academy of pediatrics; the early childhood development association of Washington; the neurodevelopmental centers of Washington; a nonprofit local birth-to-three lead agency, which is not already represented in the membership of the task force; and an advocacy group for children with disabilities from birth to three years of age and their families; and
     (b) A special education director from a school district providing early intervention services; a special education director from a school district not providing early intervention services; and four members of the state interagency coordinating council for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, three of whom shall be parents.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   A new section is added to chapter 28A.155 RCW to read as follows:
     The birth-to-three task force shall submit a report to the governor and the superintendent of public instruction by December 1, 2006, outlining their recommendations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.