HB 1954: Public school funding and staffing; special education students, support services positions.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Equity in public school funding and staffing; special education students; at-risk students; English language learner students; report. Requires state-funded add-ons to be provided to support special education students that are calculated by multiplying weights set forth in the general appropriation act by the relevant basic aid per-pupil amount for each such student. The bill establishes the At-Risk Program for the purpose of supporting programs and services for students who are educationally at risk, including prevention, intervention, or remediation activities required pursuant to relevant law, teacher recruitment programs and initiatives, programs for English language learners, the hiring of additional school counselors and other support staff, and other programs relating to increasing the success of disadvantaged students in completing a high school degree and providing opportunities to encourage further education and training. The bill also contains provisions relating to certain funding requirements for the At-Risk Program. The bill requires the Department of Education to develop and implement a data collection process related to English language learner expenditures and student English proficiency levels and identify other options to support English language learners and provide a status report to the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding on its implementation and data collection efforts by September 1, 2025. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or any other relevant stakeholders with expertise in special education as the Department of Education deems appropriate, to develop a plan for revised special education staffing requirements that addresses the staffing needs of each special education program in each school division as determined by the specific educational and behavioral support needs of students who receive special education and aims to improve special education teacher recruitment and retention and to report its findings to the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding by November 1, 2025. The bill is a recommendation of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission. This bill incorporates HB 1831.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 15

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. February 11, 2025Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
2. February 3, 2025Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations
3. February 3, 2025Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
4. January 31, 2025Read third time and passed House (61-Y 34-N)
5. January 30, 2025Engrossed by House - committee substitute
6. January 30, 2025Appropriations Substitute agreed to
7. January 30, 2025Read second time
8. January 29, 2025Read first time
9. January 28, 2025Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1954)
10. January 27, 2025Committee substitute printed 25106054D-H1
11. January 27, 2025Incorporates HB1831(Simonds)
12. January 27, 2025Reported from Appropriations with substitute (13-Y 9-N)

Showing 12 most recent of 17 actions. Full history