SPECIAL ED ADVISORY COMMITTEE - H.B. 4990: FIRST ANALYSIS
House Bill 4990 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Wayne Kuipers
House Committee: Education
Senate Committee: Education
Date Completed: 6-17-02
RATIONALE
The Special Education Advisory Committee is required under the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and functions as an advisor to the State Board of Education in the field of special education. The Committee's 27 members are appointed by the Board for three-year terms; each member represents a larger interest group who has a stake in the teaching and learning of special education students.
When IDEA was amended in 1997, a new provision required 51% of state special education advisory committee members to be made up of people with disabilities, or their parents. Further, the committees were required to add members who represent charter schools and organizations that provide transition services. It has been suggested that Michigan law be amended to ensure compliance with Federal law.
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 287 of 1964, which provides for the appointment and functions of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to increase the size of the Special Education Advisory Committee by five members, from 27 to 33 appointees.
MCL 388.1009a
ARGUMENTS
(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)
Supporting Argument
By allowing the Board to expand the number of Committee member appointments, the bill would allow for better representation of special education interests. Since charter schools and the disabled hold important stakes and interest in the education of children who are disabled or impaired, they should have seats on the Committee.
- Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman
FISCAL IMPACT
The Department would likely face slightly higher costs associated with this legislation. Higher costs would result from reimbursing expenses incurred by a larger number of advisory committee members than are appointed under current law. The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: Kathryn Summers-CotyH0102\s4990a
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.