Advisory council reviews multiple education bills; presses for same‑day, language‑appropriate restraint/seclusion notifications

Members of the council’s legislative committee summarized ongoing work at the Connecticut General Assembly on March 26 and asked the full council to help track select bills that will affect students with disabilities.

Jeffrey Spahr (legislative committee) and Tom Cosker provided the update. Committee members said legislators are drafting a large omnibus special education bill that is currently a placeholder; the select special education committee is consolidating recommendations from a range of stakeholders and is expected to hold public hearings in April. The committee already has posted some testimony and is building language to add to the placeholder bill.

Among the specific items discussed were: - Restraint and seclusion notifications: The committee proposed changing Connecticut General Statutes section referenced in the meeting as "10-236(b)" (subsection h cited in committee comments) so that parents or guardians receive notification the same day a student experiences physical restraint or seclusion rather than within the current statutory "not later than 24 hours" window; the committee also proposed that notifications be provided in the parents’ preferred or native language. Council members discussed submitting testimony to the select committee urging same‑day, language‑appropriate notification. (Transcript discussion March 26.) - Funding measures: The committee summarized S.P. 1 and other funding proposals; S.P. 1 contains a mix of fiscal provisions and drew a long public hearing. Council members reported they had submitted written testimony for portions relevant to the SAC’s annual recommendations. - School security personnel training: The committee reviewed a bill concerning training for school security personnel and school resource officers; the substitute language on training was reported to the legislature on March 18 and the committee continued to seek the exact substitute language. The SAC requested training language be expanded to include instruction on interacting with students who have physical or cognitive disabilities and on de-escalation strategies. - Section 504 protections and related state action: Committee members described a bill intended to strengthen state protections related to Section 504 (referred to in discussion as Act 504) and said the measure is being considered to align state law with federal requirements; committee members supported the principle but noted questions remain about which state office would oversee enforcement.

Why it matters: Several bills under consideration could change district obligations for training, notification, funding and oversight for special education and related services. The council’s legislative committee said it is actively providing written testimony and coordinating with legislative staff.

What happens next: The legislative committee scheduled additional meetings and will circulate bill numbers and committee testimony to members; the council encouraged members to clear calendars for likely hearings in early April so members can testify or attend.

Ending: The council emphasized continued advocacy and follow-up will be needed as bills move through committee and into appropriations.