HB 144 Summary

• Increases funding for preschool special education by reducing the student-to-unit ratio from 12.8 students per unit to 8.4 students per unit, aligning with the ratio used for grades 4-12 Basic Special Education.

• Phases in the reduction over three fiscal years: 11.3 students per unit (July 1, 2021), 9.8 students per unit (July 1, 2022), and 8.4 students per unit (July 1, 2023).

• Applies only to preschool children with disabilities who are not classified in Intensive or Complex special education units.

• Allows districts to use generated preschool unit funding flexibly for teachers, paraprofessionals, speech and language pathologists, related services personnel, or contractual services at the local level.