STAND. COM. REP. NO. 780

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1503

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure the quality of services provided for students with disabilities by:

 

     (1)  Statutorily defining various private special education schools and programs where students with disabilities may be placed at the Department of Education's expense;

 

     (2)  Requiring these schools and programs to comply with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations; and

 

     (3)  Requiring certain of these private schools or programs that receive state funding to obtain accreditation within ninety days of accepting a student with disabilities.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Liz Ann Salvador, Chair, State Council on Developmental Disabilities; and Robert Witt, Executive Director, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure would provide the Department of Education and various private schools and programs that serve students with disabilities clearer guidelines and requirements for providing special education and related services for students with disabilities.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion on this measure; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair