Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Appropriations & Oversight Committee |
HB 2720
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: Prioritizing safety net funding for residential schools.
Sponsors: Representatives Kagi and Ryu.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/1/12
Staff: Jessica Harrell (786-7349).
Background:
Safety Net:
In 1995, the Legislature revised the state's special education funding formula. Shortly thereafter, the Legislature mandated the development of a safety net to accompany the changes to the state funding formula for special education. The safety net funding enabled districts to apply for supplemental funding in situations in which there was demonstrable financial need within the following parameters: maintenance of effort; special characteristics and costs; and high cost individual.
Under current law, safety net funding is not considered to be an entitlement, but rather a supplement to the state funding formula when districts have demonstrated that they have:
provided a reasonably efficient program;
utilized all available state and federal funding; and,
properly formulated Individualized Education Programs for eligible students in the applicant districts.
In 2007 the Legislature created an additional category for safety net funding, the community impact category. This category allows districts to identify and quantify unique characteristics of their school communities that have an adverse fiscal impact on the district's fiscal ability to provide special education services.
As required by the Legislature in 2011, beginning with the 2010-11 school year, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to make award determinations for safety net awards in August of each year. Eligibility is determined based on analysis of actual expenditure data for the current school year. Fiscal year appropriations for safety net awards are $8.9 million in fiscal year 2012 and $34.2 million in fiscal year 2013. The considerable increase from fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2013 is driven primarily by a reduction in available federal funds in fiscal year 2013.
Under educational programs for residential school residents (28A.190.050), districts in which a residential school is located, must execute a contract regarding services to be provided to residents. Residential schools are defined as facilities that provide services for the diagnosis, confinement, and rehabilitation of juveniles committed by the courts or for the care and treatment of persons with exceptional physical or mental needs.
Department of Social and Health Services:
The Washington State Medicaid (Medicaid) program includes care and habilitation services for persons with developmental disabilities. Services are administered by the Department of Social and Health Services and may be provided in a community or institutional setting. There are currently about 860 clients residing at four institutions referred to as Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs): Rainier School, Lakeland Village, Fircrest School, and Yakima Valley School. Effective July 1, 2012, persons under the age of 16 will no longer be admitted to an RHC. Persons between the age of 16 and 21 may be admitted for short-term respite or crisis stabilization services. There are currently 18 clients under the age of 21 residing in RHCs. Of those, 17 are living at Fircrest School.
Summary of Bill:
Priority for safety net funding must be given to school districts that have the primary duty of educating individuals who reside in residential habilitation centers (such as Fircrest School)
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on 01/26/2012.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.