CT HB06619

Establishes a Special Education Predictable Cost Cooperative to stabilize special education funding at the state level and reduce volatility for local school districts.

Creates a Special Education Predictable Cost Cooperative Implementation Committee consisting of representatives from the Department of Education, Office of Policy and Management, school superintendents, municipalities, regional education service centers, UConn Actuarial Science Program, and the Connecticut School Finance Project.

Requires the committee to submit a comprehensive implementation plan within 120 days of the effective date, including administrative structure, actuarial analysis, funding mechanisms, implementation timeline, and legislative recommendations.

Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to implement the cooperative by regulation beginning in fiscal year 2019, pending General Assembly approval of the plan by majority vote in both chambers.

The cooperative funding mechanism combines local school district contributions (adjusted by ability to pay) with state funding reallocated from existing equalization aid and excess cost grants to reimburse districts for 100 percent of actual special education costs.