HI HR40

Department of Education shall conduct a two-year pilot project to contract services for students with disabilities on a block basis (serving multiple students) rather than one-to-one basis.

Working group to be convened including parents from rural and urban schools, Title I school representatives, and members from Special Education Advisory Council, Coalition of Children with Special Needs, Community Children's Council, and State Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Working group shall determine types of services suitable for block contracting, select three pilot school sites (one rural, one urban, one Title I), and conduct cost-benefit analysis comparing block contract model to employee-based model.

Department of Education shall submit progress report to Legislature no later than twenty days before Regular Session of 2017 on academic, social, communication, and behavioral impact on students served.

Final report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation due to Legislature no later than twenty days before Regular Session of 2018.