Bill > S1180

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Department of Education to develop a standardized checklist for school districts to be used in helping students with disabilities prepare for the transition from secondary school to post-secondary activities and goals. The checklist will consist of discussion topics designed to assist a student who has an individualized education program (IEP) in planning for the future in multiple areas including, but not limited to, post-secondary education and training, employment, healthcare, legal status including issues related to independence, guardianship, and power of attorney, social services including Social Security and Medicaid, community participation, and independent living. The checklist will also include timelines and current contact information for agencies and community resources that are available to assist students with disabilities in transitioning to post-secondary adult life. The bill directs a student's IEP team to review and discuss the checklist with the student and the student's parent at least twice per year, beginning with the school year when the student will turn age 16, or younger where appropriate. The IEP team would be required to consider the elements contained in the checklist, based on the individual student's needs, when developing the plan of transition services to be included in the student's IEP. Under current State Board of Education regulations at N.J.A.C.6A:14-3.7(e)12, the IEP for a student who is age 16 or older must include a statement of transition services intended to assist the student in preparing for post-secondary goals such as education, vocational training, employment, and independent living. In addition, the bill requires the Department of Education to make current information available on its website concerning transition resources that may assist students with disabilities in transitioning from secondary school to post-secondary activities and goals. The purpose of the information is to provide students, parents, school districts, and members of the public with easily accessible information on post-secondary requirements and opportunities, including agencies, community resources, and supports that are available to assist students with disabilities in progressing towards post-secondary goals in the areas of education, training, employment, healthcare, legal status, social services, community participation, and independent living.

AI Summary

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Raj Mukherji (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document