STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1139

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 1503

      S.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 2, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to help ensure that students eligible for special education and related services receive a quality education by requiring:

     (1)  Certain private special education schools and programs that provide services to students with disabilities who receive state funding to comply with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations; and

     (2)  Any nonpublic special education school or program that is not accredited by specified accrediting agencies to apply for accreditation within 90 days from the date of accepting a student with disabilities who was placed there under certain specified conditions.

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Autism Society of Hawaii, and a concerned individual opposed this measure.  Good Beginnings Alliance provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1503, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair