| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Early Learning & Children's Services Committee | |
HB 2230
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.
Brief Description: Regarding early intervention services for children three years old.
Sponsors: Representatives Ericks, Bailey, Schual-Berke, Williams, Kagi, Moeller, Lantz, Hasegawa, Green, Morrell, Linville, Blake, Upthegrove, Hunt, O'Brien, Roach, Goodman, Simpson, Ormsby and Santos.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/23/07
Staff: Sydney Forrester (786-7120).
Background:
Early intervention services to Washington's children with disabilities who are between the ages
of birth and three years are available though the Department of Social and Health Services
(DSHS) and through some school districts in the state. The DSHS early intervention services are
administered under the Infant and Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP). School district
early intervention programs are typically provided as part of a continuum of special education
services to children with disabilities. School districts may work in partnership with the ITEIP
and provide services directly or through contracts with local birth-to-three agencies and
providers.
Beginning September 1, 2009, each school district must provide or contract for early
intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities from birth to three years of age.
School districts currently are required to provide special education services to eligible children
with disabilities between the ages of three and 21 years. Approximately three-quarters of
children who receive birth-to-three special education services also qualify for three-to-21
services when they enter the K-12 system. Special education statutes require a transition plan to
be in place for these children by their third birthday in order to facilitate exit from the
birth-to-three program and entry into the three-to-21 program. Due to limited school districts
services or programming during the summer months, some children with birthdays during the
late spring and summer months may experience a gap in receiving these special education
services as they exit the ITEIP program upon reaching age three.
Summary of Bill:
Children who are receiving birth-to-three special education services will remain eligible for
those services until they are enrolled in a school district special education program.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 22, 2007.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.