Report Title:

Charter School; Autistic children

Description:

Amends section 302B-4 to allow for a charter school focused on the education of children diagnosed with autism; creates exception to limits on charter schools.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1902
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to a charter school for autistic children.

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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Section 302B-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§302B‑4  Limits on charter schools.  (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), [Beginning] beginning July 2007, the board, with the recommendation of the panel, may authorize one new start-up charter school for each existing start-up charter school that has received a three-year or longer accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges or a comparable accreditation authority as determined by the panel, or for each start-up charter school whose charter is revoked.  The total number of conversion charter schools authorized by the board, with the recommendation of the panel, shall not exceed twenty-five."

(b)  The board, with the recommendation of the panel, may authorize one new start-up charter school focusing on the education of children diagnosed with autism.  The limits on charter schools imposed by subsection (a) shall not apply to this subsection.  For purposes of this subsection:

"Autism" means a developmental disability that significantly affects verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, that is generally evident before 3 years of age, and that adversely affects a child's educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environment change or to change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences.

     SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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