Bill > HB1008

This bill modifies provisions related to special educational services for children with disabilities in Missouri school districts. The bill requires school districts to provide special educational services for children with disabilities aged three and older, in compliance with federal law (P.L. 99-457), with potential implementation delays if federal funding is insufficient. School districts must develop an efficient service delivery system that coordinates with local agencies and provides appropriate services in the least restrictive environment. The bill clarifies that districts must obtain current diagnostic reports for children with disabilities before program assignment, and specifies evaluation procedures for private school students suspected of having disabilities. A new definition is introduced for "young child with a developmental delay," which applies to children between three and nine years old who show significant developmental delays in areas like physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional, or adaptive development. The bill also stipulates that state costs for special education services for three- and four-year-olds must be funded through a separate appropriation, not by reallocating existing public school foundation program funds. Additionally, districts are encouraged to consider continuity of services when transitioning children from early intervention (Part C) to special education programs, and the bill provides guidelines for determining and maintaining eligibility for developmental delay services.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1008&year=2025&code=R