RELATING TO FEDERAL IMPACT AID

Specifies that utilization of unappropriated excess federal impact aid by the DOE requires approval by governor and may not be used to create new programs. Requires the DOE report to the legislature the amounts and expenditures of the excess federal funds.

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Allows the department of education to utilize and hire attorneys other than the attorney general.

RELATING TO EDUCATION

Provides several provisions to improve accountability, performance, efficiency, and effectiveness of the department of education and its services for students in need of health services.

RELATING TO THE FELIX CONSENT DECREE

Expands the plaintiff class in the Felix consent decree to include an unborn child who is determined to be at risk of developing a condition that may qualify the child for education and mental health services anytime between birth and 20 years of age because of alcohol or drug abuse by a pregnant women.

RELATING TO THE FELIX CONSENT DECREE

Requires the DOE to develop a linked accounting system that will enable state auditors and accountants and the legislature to determine the cost of Felix-related services with a generally acceptable degree of precision. Appropriates funds.

RELATING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION

Appropriates funds for the department of education to develop a revised teacher allocation methodology and to compensate persons in newly created positions.

RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST THE PERSON

Adds violence against health care workers to assault in the second degree, and violence against an educational worker or health care worker to terroristic threatening in the first degree.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR FAMILIES FOR RESOURCES FOR EARLY ACCESS TO LEARNING

Appropriates funds for Families for Resources for Early Access to Learning (R.E.A.L.).

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR BEFORE-SCHOOL, AFTER-SCHOOL, AND WEEKEND PROGRAMS

Appropriates funds for before-school, after-school and weekend programs.

RELATING TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Establishes a dedicated source of funding for before-school, after-school, weekend, spring break, winter break, and intersession programs.

RELATING TO THE WESTERN INTERSTATE COMMISSION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Requires dental graduates who received support through the WICHE program to serve underserved communities.

RELATING TO EDUCATION

Changes the date upon which the minimum age for entering kindergarten is to be computed from December 31 to September 30 beginning school year 2002-2003, and June 30 beginning school year 2003-2004. Requires the cost savings to be used for the expansion of, or to supplement, educational programs.

RELATING TO TEMPORARY PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES

Exempts temporary public school facilities, such as trailers and portable classrooms, from state or county laws that exceed federal ADA requirements, contingent upon the availability of other accessible facilities on a school campus. Exempts these facilities from hurricane protection requirements.

RELATING TO TORT LIABILITY