An Act To Reduce the Burden on Local Communities of Transportation Costs for Special Needs Students
Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §15681-A, sub-§2-B is enacted to read:
Sec. 2. 20-A MRSA §15686-A, as enacted by PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. AAAA, §12, is amended to read:
§ 15686-A. Review of essential programs and services components
(1) Approve in writing the proposed changes to the component review schedule specified in the work plan proposed by the commissioner;
(2) Approve in writing modifications to the proposed changes to the component review schedule specified in the work plan proposed by the commissioner; or
(3) Disapprove in writing the proposed changes to the component review schedule specified in the work plan proposed by the commissioner and require that the commissioner conduct the component review in accordance with the schedule as set forth in this section.
If the joint standing committee approves modifications to the component review schedule pursuant to subparagraph (2), the commissioner shall submit an updated work plan that contains the approved modifications to the joint standing committee within 15 business days after the date the joint standing committee approved the modifications.
summary
This bill proposes to limit the costs for special education transportation services for each school administrative unit that incurs special education costs that exceed $20,000 for transportation services required to assist a child with a disability. The bill provides that the Commissioner of Education must pay 100% of the costs authorized for special education transportation services that exceed $20,000 annually for each eligible child with a disability within the jurisdiction of the school administrative unit.
The bill also amends the statutes related to the annual review of the essential programs and services components required by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15686-A by requiring the Commissioner of Education to submit an annual report on the components scheduled for review every 3 years, including a work plan that specifies the components to be reviewed during the next fiscal year, to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters. If the work plan is inconsistent with the components scheduled for review, the commissioner shall provide the reason for each requested change in the report submitted to the joint standing committee, and the joint standing committee is authorized to approve in writing the proposed changes to the component review schedule specified in the work plan.