HB 22-1294 Summary

• Charter schools may give preference to enrolling children with disabilities upon local school board approval, while ensuring compliance with federal requirements for free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

• Creates "alternative administrative units" allowing charter school networks and collaboratives to serve as administrative units for special education services, with charter schools participating in these units sharing costs.

• District charter schools may enter into agreements with the state charter school institute to participate in its administrative unit for special education services delivery.

• Appropriates $375,000 to the state charter school institute for the 2022-23 budget year to distribute to eligible charter schools with at least 50% of students receiving special education services.

• Establishes processes for charter schools to transition to alternative administrative units with protections against unilateral contract renegotiations and requirements that authorizing school districts provide written explanations if objecting to such transitions.