HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5775
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Education
Title: An act relating to special education.
Brief Description: Changing special education provisions.
Sponsors: Senators Kauffman, Rasmussen, Zarelli, Berkey, Oemig, McAuliffe, Shin and Kohl-Welles.
Brief History:
Education: 3/16/07, 3/27/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Quall, Chair; Barlow, Vice Chair; Priest, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haigh, McDermott, Roach, Santos and P. Sullivan.
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
In 2004, Congress reauthorized the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act
(IDEA), the major federal law governing services for children and students with disabilities.
The IDEA was realigned with the goals and purposes of the federal No Child Left Behind
Act, and a number of changes in terminology were made. Washington's special education
laws and administrative rules follow the federal laws closely, but the language and
terminology in the statutes may not have been changed for many years.
Summary of Bill:
Some of the language and terms in Washington's special education laws are changed to better
align with the reauthorized federal IDEA. Examples include making consistent reference to
"students or children with disabilities" or "special education services;" removing outmoded
descriptions of disabling conditions; inserting references to the 2004 IDEA; updating
references to other sections in the special education code; and removing descriptions of
procedures or requirements that have been replaced in administrative rule by
federally-prescribed procedures.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed, except section 9, which, because of prior double amendments, takes effect September 1, 2009.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill merely aligns Washington statutes with federal language in the IDEA
and the NCLB. They are small, clean-up changes of a technical nature.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Kauffman, prime sponsor; and Donna Obermeyer, Washington State Special Education Coalition.