Bill > HB305

This bill modifies provisions related to special educational services for children with disabilities in Missouri school districts. It requires school districts to provide special educational services for children with disabilities aged three and older, in compliance with federal guidelines. The bill clarifies that districts must obtain current diagnostic reports for children with disabilities before program assignment, which can be obtained through parental permission or by district personnel. The legislation introduces new provisions about early childhood special education, including considerations for continuing services from Part C early intervention programs when a child turns three. The bill also establishes that a student eligible for kindergarten or first grade may continue to be identified as a young child with a developmental delay if initially identified before kindergarten eligibility, though this category cannot be used for students seven years or older. Additionally, the bill specifies that state costs for special education services for three and four-year-old children must be funded through a separate appropriation and not reallocated from the public school foundation program. The legislation also clarifies that remedial reading programs are not considered a special educational service and provides guidelines for how special school districts should approach educational services for children with disabilities.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB305&year=2025&code=R