HB 2969 Summary

• Requires the State Board of Education to adopt accreditation standards for educational services in partial hospitalization programs, day treatment programs, day hospital programs, residential treatment programs, and emergency shelter programs serving ages 3-21.

• Standards apply to onsite and offsite educational services provided by public school districts or state-accredited private schools, with provisions for warnings, probation, or nonaccredited status for noncompliance.

• Mandates the State Department of Education actively monitor compliance, investigate complaints within 10 days, and report findings to the State Board within 60 days; the Board must withdraw accreditation if schools fail to comply within 90 days.

• Exempts schools and districts from accreditation withdrawal and financial penalties for fiscal years ending June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2016 related to media materials, equipment standards, and media program expenditure standards.

• Requires local school districts to provide information on the number of school counselors, their duties including administrative responsibilities, student-to-counselor ratios, and counselor staffing levels by school type.