Substitute Bill No. 6883 Summary

• Establishes an Office of Transition Services within the Department of Education to coordinate transition resources, services, and programs for students requiring special education ages 18-22, including setting minimum standards and conducting site visits of public transition programs

• Requires each local and regional board of education to appoint a transition coordinator by January 1, 2024, and ensures transition coordinators and educators complete training programs developed by the Department of Education

• Extends special education eligibility from age 21 to age 22 and requires planning and placement team meetings to notify relevant state agencies of student eligibility for adult transition programs beginning at age 14

• Creates an Office of Mediation Services within the Department of Education's Bureau of Special Education to expand and coordinate mediation services as an alternative to special education hearings, with mediators required to complete 40 hours of mediation skills training

• Requires the State Education Resource Center to review public transition programs and report findings to the legislature by January 1, 2024, and mandates the Department of Education to conduct annual audits of special education programs in randomly selected school districts