Report Title:

Appropriation; Early Intervention Services

Description:

Appropriates funds for early intervention services for eligible children with Down syndrome.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	255
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Children with Down syndrome generally develop at a slower rate and have different patterns of development than typically developing children.  This delay in development means that children with Down syndrome will not learn to sit, stand, walk, or talk as early as other children.  It also means that children with Down syndrome may need more repetition and more consistency than typically developing children when learning new skills.

     The goal of intervention programs for children with Down syndrome is to maximize each child's developmental potential and improve long-term functional outcomes for the children and their families.  It is recommended that a "total communication" approach (sign language, oral communication, and visual cues) be used to help children with Down syndrome develop expressive language.  Early intervention services provide developmentally appropriate activities to maximize a child's cognitive, communication, motor, self-help, and social-emotional growth until the child is ready for kindergarten.

     The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 gives the State discretion to extend early intervention services to children with disabilities who are eligible for services under title 20 United States Code section 1419 and who previously received services under title 20 United States Code sections 1431-1444, until the children enter, or are eligible under state law to enter, kindergarten or elementary school, as appropriate.  The continuation of early intervention services for eligible children with Down syndrome until they are eligible to enter kindergarten will provide continuity of services until the child is ready to transition to a special education program.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the provision of early intervention services, as that term is defined under section 321-351, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including sign language and other scientific-based services, to children diagnosed with Down syndrome who are eligible for services under title 20 United States Code section 1419, and who previously received services under title 20 United States Code sections 1431-1444, until the children enter, or are eligible under state law to enter, kindergarten or elementary school, as appropriate.

     SECTION 3.  The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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