SB21-275 Summary

• Clarifies that the Department of Human Services administers Part C child find (birth to age 2) and the Department of Education administers Part B child find (ages 3-21) under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

• Requires establishment of a state-level interagency operating agreement between the Department of Education and Department of Human Services by July 1, 2022, addressing transition procedures, notification timelines, dispute resolution, and standardized training for Part C to Part B transitions.

• Mandates timely notification to school districts when children are potentially eligible for Part B services, requiring notification by age 2 years 6 months (or age 2 years 3 months for children with low incidence diagnoses such as blindness or deafness).

• Appropriates $8,266,779 to the Department of Human Services and $6,888,983 to the Department of Education for the 2021-22 fiscal year to fund early intervention evaluation activities, with unused appropriations repealing July 1, 2023.

• Takes effect July 1, 2022, except certain sections including the appropriations that take effect upon passage.