Post-session summary of Special Education and Mental Health bills

Aside from some of the (in my opinion really important and necessary) testing bills, this was a fairly good year for student-focused bills -- and D14 Del. Eric Luedtke --- whose street cred. as a long-time MCPS teacher is always on display in Annapolis -- had a pretty good year!

There are three successes here, and one bill that didn't succeed.  One commonality in those that made it through - they were each straightforward, clear --- and frankly, embodied commonsense. Some of you commented on some of these bills, in essence saying 'we don't already do this?????'

HB85 – Children with Disabilities – Parental Notice -  sponsor Del. Luedtke

The bill would add to existing law the requirement that schools provide to parents of children with disabilities written information explaining available early intervention and special education family support services, with information on how to contact the providers of those services.  That information is to be provided at the first IEP meeting to discuss interventions for the child, and the information must be provided in the language in which the parents are most fluent.

Here is a link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0085&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill sailed through both Chambers with broad bi-partisan support, and was signed by the governor on April 26.

HB86/SB421 – Translation of IEP and family service plans – sponsor Del. Luedtke/Sen. Ramirez

Authorizing the parents of a child with a completed individualized education program (IEP) or a completed individualized family service plan to request translation of the document into the parents' native language.

Here is a link to the HB86 bill page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0086&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This bill too made it through both the House and Senate easily, and was signed by the governor on April 26.

HB 142 – Emotional Health Awareness Programs in Schools -  sponsor Del. Hixson

The bill would require local school systems to implement programs of emotional suffering awareness, and also programs for middle and high school coaches and athletes focused on creating a character building culture in youth sports programs.

Here is the link to the bill’s page on the GA website:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0142&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

 This was a mental health bill inculcating programs championed by the Campaign to Change Direction and the Positive Coaching Alliance.  It didn't go anywhere this year, though I think the intent was good, and the need for programs to increase mental health awareness, decrease bullying, and destigmatize mental and behavioral health is great.

I think this bill could be back, and with a better chance, particularly if the citizen advocates really get organized, and make a concerted effort to reach out to electeds and folks like us who care deeply about public education, and supporting all our students.

HB713/SB494 – School Behavioral Health Accountability Act –Del. Luedtke/Sen. Nathan-Pulliam

This bill would require the State Dept. of Education and local school boards and departments of health to develop and implement a standardized reporting system to determine the effectiveness of community-partnered school behavioral health services programs.

Here’s the link to the bill page on the General Assembly webpage:

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?id=hb0713&stab=01&pid=billpage&tab=subject3&ys=2016RS

This was another win for Del. Luedtke -- a legislative hat-trick of bills supporting some of our most vulnerable students! The bill made it through both the House and Senate easily, and was signed by the governor on April 26.