Bill > H1337

This bill aims to expand higher education opportunities for students with severe intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Amending existing laws to explicitly include individuals with severe intellectual, autism, and other developmental disabilities in the purpose and goals of higher education. 2. Allowing these students to participate in undergraduate academic courses, internships, work-based training, and extracurricular activities at public institutions of higher education, without requiring them to meet standard admission criteria like standardized tests or a high school diploma. 3. Establishing an "Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative" grant program to support partnerships between school districts and public colleges to facilitate the inclusion of these students in higher education. 4. Specifying that the costs associated with supporting these students' participation in higher education can be covered through special education funding, vocational rehabilitation services, or other public and private sources. 5. Requiring the development of guidelines and coordination between various state agencies to ensure the successful inclusion of these students in higher education. Overall, the bill aims to improve access and inclusion for students with severe intellectual, autism, and developmental disabilities in the higher education system, with the goal of enhancing their academic, career, and independent living skills.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1337