HCS SS SB 112 -- EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN

SPONSOR:  Rupp (Faith)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Family Services by a vote of 10 to 0.

Currently, when children who receive early intervention services
reach three years of age, they move from Part C to Part B of the
federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, administered
by the local school district.  This substitute requires school
districts to continue the services of a child's Part C provider
upon the parent's request and if the cost is no more than what
the district would charge for the services.  The reporting
requirements and deadlines for the requests are specified.  The
parent may furnish and the initial individualized education
program team may consider any outside evaluation information
during the team meeting.  The substitute also exempts the state's
early intervention services for children, known as First Steps,
from the sunset provisions.

The substitute establishes pilot programs in the southwest and
greater St. Louis points of entry.  The southwest area program
requires the system to hire, by January 1, 2008, one or more
providers of early intervention services, either directly or
through contract with sheltered workshop boards.  The greater St.
Louis program allows the regional interagency coordinating
council to hire, by January 1, 2008, a child-find coordinator.  A
study of the programs must be completed by September 1, 2009, and
the programs will expire September 1, 2011.  The Part C Early
Intervention Pilot Program Fund is created in the state treasury
for implementing the pilot programs.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of
$14,650,703 in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.  No impact on Other
State Funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill corrects a drafting
error previously made that ensures all early childhood
development programs will not expire.  The bill is important for
young children and their families and will create increased
awareness about the First Steps Program which helps community
members get access to much needed services.  Early childhood
development programs increase family morale, help reduce child
care costs, and are an important investment for the state.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Rupp; Carissa Mattern; and
Missouri State Teachers Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am