Assigned to ED & APPROP                                                               FOR CAUCUS & FLOOR ACTION

 

 


ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

 

REVISED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1269

 

special education; institutional placement

 

Purpose

 

            Modifies the definition of “special education” to include students between the ages of three and twenty-one years for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB).

 

Background

 

            ASDB was established in 1912 and became a state agency in 1929.  The school receives state funding for its 18,050 students through legislative appropriations, including group B weights, and special education institutional vouchers. The State currently issues institutional vouchers for ASDB to special education students kindergarten through grade twelve, pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

 

S.B. 1269 qualifies preschoolers ages three and four for institutional vouchers.  Currently three and four year olds are funded through ASDB's operating budget. As amended by Committee, the estimated fiscal impact to the state general fund associated with S.B. 1269 is $126,800 in FY 2001-2002 and $152,800 in FY 2002-2003.  This impact assumes that ASDB's operating is reduced to reflect the new level of voucher funding.

 

Provisions

 

1.      Modifies the definition of “special education” to include students between the ages of three and twenty-one years for the ASDB.

 

2.      Provides for a general effective date.

 

Amendments Adopted by Committee

 

Changes the age range of students eligible to receive institutional vouchers for ASDB from the ages of three to twenty-two to the ages of three and twenty-one.

 

Senate Action

 

ED                   2/22/01            DPA    8-0-0-0

APPROP         3/6/01              DPA    10-0-2-0

 

 

Prepared by Senate Staff

March 6, 2001