ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fifth Legislature

Second Regular Session

House: ED DP 10-0-0-0

HB 2565: ASDB; revisions

Sponsor: Representative Udall, LD 25

House Engrossed

Overview

Makes changes to placement and evaluation teams and home school district determinations for children attending the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB).

History

ASDB provides schools and regional programs to sensory impaired individuals throughout Arizona. Statute requires these schools to be fully recognized as educational institutions and as optional resources to school districts, state institutions and other approved educational programs. Resources provided by ASDB include assessments, special curriculum, equipment and materials, supplemental related services, special short-term programs, staff development, information services for families and research and development (A.R.S. § 15-1302).

An individual who is between the ages of 3 and 21 is entitled to an education from ASDB without charge if they are an Arizona resident and have a sensory impairment that prevents them from being properly educated in a school district (A.R.S. § 15-1343).

Home school district means the school district or charter school that the child last attended or, if the child has not previously attended an Arizona public school, the school district in which their legal guardian resides (A.R.S. § 15-761).

Provisions

1.   ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal NoteSpecifies ASDB campuses are considered local education agencies for the purposes of providing a free and appropriate public education to pupils enrolled in a campus-based model pursuant to federal law. (Sec. 1)

2.   Specifies the evaluation and consideration of placement in ASDB is made under the discretion of the chief administrative official of the home school district. (Sec. 2)

3.   Directs ASDB, if a child's legal guardian directly refers a child to ASDB, to immediately contact the home school district representative. (Sec. 2)

4.   Requires a home school district representative to arrange for the establishment of a placement and evaluation team for a child who was directly referred to ASDB by their guardian. (Sec. 2)

5.   Authorizes the placement and review of an individualized education program to be conducted when a placement and evaluation team determines the appropriate educational placement for the child. (Sec. 2)

6.   Alters the membership of a placement and evaluation team by:

a)   Replacing an administrator from the school district in which the child resides with a home school district representative who is:

i.   Qualified to provide or supervise the provision of specialty designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities; and

ii. Knowledgeable about the general education curriculum and the availability of resources of the public agency;

b)   Allowing the evaluator to be the child's home school district representative or the regular education teacher member;

c)   Specifying that the educational representative of ASDB may also be the certified teacher of children with a sensory impairment;

d)   Adding at least one regular education teacher if the child is or will be participating in the regular educational environment; and

e)   Including the child with a disability, if appropriate. (Sec. 2)

7.   Directs ASDB to hold a placement meeting for a child who is enrolled in a campus-based model at least annually to review the child's placement status and to invite a representative of the child's home school district. (Sec. 2)

8.   Requires a child's home school district to enroll the child if a determination is made that ASDB is no longer the least restrictive environment. (Sec. 2)

9.   Instructs a representative for special education of the home school district to place the child according to the recommendations of the individualized education program team. (Sec. 2)

10.  Classifies the new district of residence as the new home school district if a child who is placed in ASDB moves from one school district or county to another. (Sec. 2)

11.  Mandates a complete record of every person admitted to ASDB be kept from the date of the person's admission to the date of the person's release, removal or graduation. (Sec. 2)

12.  Deletes language that details the entities responsible for investigating any question regarding the propriety of the placement or admission of any person received in ASDB. (Sec. 2)

13.  Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 2)

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17.                    HB 2565

18.  Initials CH Page 0 House Engrossed

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