SCS SB 874 -- EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION

SPONSOR:  Bentley (Franklin)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Education-Elementary and Secondary by a vote of 20 to 0.

This substitute requires school districts that provide early
childhood special education to give preference to a child's
birth-to-age-three service provider when making the transition to
early childhood special education, as long as that decision does
not result in a higher than average cost.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that young children in general need
continuity, and children with developmental delays especially
benefit from it.  The substitute allows continuity for children
who are changing from the First Steps Program that covers birth
to age three to early childhood special education.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Bentley; and Missouri
National Education Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Becky DeNeve, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am