Bill > H7388

This bill establishes a new "high-cost special education fund" to help municipalities cover unexpected and significant expenses related to educating students with special needs. This fund will be managed by the general treasurer, who will invest the pooled resources from participating municipalities to generate income. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will determine how awards are distributed from the fund based on specific criteria, prioritizing districts with extraordinary costs and considering their prior contributions. While participation in the fund is voluntary, a municipality must have contributed to it in a previous fiscal year before it can apply for an award. The initial contribution for each municipality will be equal to its high-cost special education expenses from the prior fiscal year. The bill defines "extraordinary costs" and "high-cost special education" as financial support for school districts with exceptional needs, including excess costs associated with special education students. This act will become effective immediately upon its passage.

Budget and Finance

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