FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5879

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.

C 57 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.

Sponsors: Senators Billig, McAuliffe and Kohl-Welles; by request of Department of Early Learning.

Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education

House Committee on Early Learning & Human Services

Background: Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT). In accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C, children from birth to age three who have been diagnosed with disabilities or developmental delays and their families are entitled to intervention services. The program in Washington that provides these services is called the ESIT program. In 2010, the program was transferred from the Department of Social and Health Services to the Department of Early Learning (DEL). At age three, a child may transition from early intervention under Part C of the IDEA to special education under Part B of the IDEA.

Current law provides that each school district must provide or contract for early intervention services to all eligible children with disabilities from birth to age three. Eligibility for these services must be determined according to the IDEA or other applicable federal and state law, and as specified in the Washington Administrative Code adopted by the state lead agency. Current law also states that school districts must provide or contract for early intervention services in partnership with local birth-to-three agencies and birth-to-three providers.

State Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities and their Families (Council). In accordance with Part C of the IDEA, the Council was re-established by Executive Order 14-03 on March 13, 2014. The mission of the Council is to coordinate and foster development of a comprehensive statewide system of accessible local early intervention services for children birth to age three who have disabilities or are at risk for developing disabilities and their families, and to coordinate transition of these children into programs for children ages three to six.

Current law states that the Council addresses children from birth to age six.

Summary: ESIT. The state lead agency for ESIT is identified as DEL. School districts may both provide and contract for early intervention services. A technical change is made to accurately reflect the name of federal law.

Council. The Council addresses children from birth to age three.

Accounting and Plan. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and DEL must provide a full accounting for the ESIT program from the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. The reported expenditures must include, but are not limited, to per student allocations, per student expenditures, the number of children served, detailed information on services provided by school districts and contracted for by school districts, coordination and transition services, and administrative costs.

By December 15, 2016, DEL must develop and submit a plan to the Legislature on comprehensive and coordinated early intervention services for all eligible children with disabilities in accordance with Part C of the IDEA. The proposed plan must include, but is not limited to, the following:

Rulemaking Authority. As the lead state agency for Part C of the IDEA, DEL's duties include developing and adopting rules that establish minimum requirements for the services offered through Part C of the IDEA, including allowable allocations and expenditures for transition into Part B of the IDEA.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

48

0

House

92

5

(House amended)

Senate

47

1

(Senate concurred)

Effective:

June 9, 2016