ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-fifth Legislature Second Regular Session

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HB 2566: special education vouchers; amount

Sponsor: Representative Udall, LD 25

Committee on Education

Overview

Establishes a voucher amount for Group A and Group B pupils who are enrolled in a campus-based program at the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB).

History

ASDB provides schools and regional programs to sensory impaired individuals throughout Arizona. Statute requires these schools to be fully recognized as educational institutions and as optional resources to school districts, state institutions and other approved educational programs (A.R.S. § 15-1302).

Currently, when a person is placed in an institutional or school special education program, the institution or schools must be issued a permanent special education institutional voucher to pay that person's special education instructional costs. These voucher amounts are as follows:

· For Group A: the base level multiplied by two;

· For Group B: the sum of the base for kindergarten programs and the 1st-8th grades and the support level weight for the category, multiplied by the base level; and

· For both Group A and Group B: $100 for capital outlay costs and $50 for transportation costs (A.R.S. § 15-1204).

Statute provides for two sets of weights within the school finance formula. These weights, referred to as Group A and Group B, identify students according to grade level or special need. All students receive a Group A weight for special education, while students must meet statutorily-defined categories to qualify for a Group B weight (A.R.S. § 15-901, 15-943).

Provisions

1. Determines a voucher amount, for both Group A and Group B who are enrolled in a campus-based program at ASDB as follows:

a. For capital outlay costs:

i. $450.76 for preschool programs for children with disabilities;

ii. $514.63 for kindergarten programs and the 1st-8th grades; and

iii. $590.86 for the 9th-12th grades; and

b. For transportation costs, $5.23 per route mile. (Sec. 1)

2. Increases the capital outlay assistance for students enrolled in a campus-based program at ASDB for the purchase of required textbooks and related printed subject matter materials in an amount equal to the student count in the 9th-12th grades multiplied by $69.68. (Sec. 1)

3. Stipulates, beginning FY 2023, the capital outlay and transportation amounts are increased by the growth rate prescribed by law, subject to appropriation. (Sec. 1)

4. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)

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8.                   HB 2566

9. Initials CH Page 0 Education

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