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Committee approves bill clarifying IEP teams can extend transition services through age 22
Summary
SB1470 lets an IEP team determine that a student with a disability may receive special education and related transition services through the end of the school year in which the student turns 22; the committee adopted a technical amendment and gave it a due‑pass recommendation.
The Senate Education Committee on Feb. 11 approved SB1470, which clarifies that an individualized education program (IEP) team may determine a student with a disability can receive special education and related transition services until the end of the school year in which the student reaches age 22.
Provisions: The bill prohibits governing boards or county school superintendents from forcing a student to graduate earlier than the IEP team’s determination. It also bars ADE from imposing a penalty or withholding funds if a school provides special education services beyond four years when the IEP team extends the diploma date; students who graduate in a fifth, sixth or seventh year cohort must be treated the same as fourth‑year cohort graduates for a school's annual achievement determinations.
Support and rationale: Parents’ advocates and disability‑rights groups said the legislation clarifies state law in line with federal practice and helps families and districts plan transition services. Carla Phillips Krivickas, representing Champions for Kids and speaking as a parent, said some students — for example those with Down syndrome or significant developmental delays — commonly need more time to transition to post‑school services.
Committee action: The committee adopted a technical six‑page amendment and gave SB1470 a due‑pass recommendation by a 7–0 vote.
