CT HB07277

Summary of Connecticut HB 7277 - Special Education Reform

• New funding structure for special education: Creates a special education offset grant calculated using base aid ratio, foundation amount, and 50% of special education students; establishes $50 million annually from the Special Transportation Fund for special education transportation reimbursements starting FY 2026

• Rate schedule and cost controls: Office of Policy and Management must establish and biennially review a rate schedule for direct IEP services (speech, behavioral, occupational therapies); freezes charging entity rates for the 2025-2026 school year with limited exceptions for substantial cost increases

• Enhanced oversight of private providers: Requires annual unannounced site visits of special education providers starting July 2027; mandates 5-day notification to parents of staffing changes; prohibits student transfers without PPT approval; establishes model contracts and licensure standards for private providers

• Incentives for in-district services: Reduces local contribution threshold to 3x net current expenditures per pupil for two years when districts bring outplaced students back in-district; increases school construction reimbursement by 15 percentage points for projects expanding in-district special education capacity

• Procedural and administrative changes: Extends developmental delay eligibility from age 5 to age 8; shifts burden of proof to parents in unilateral placement hearings; requires functional behavior assessments before behavioral outplacements; creates Educational Ombudsperson office and requires instructional support teachers in each school starting 2026-2027