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2015 SESSION

15101606D
HOUSE BILL NO. 2380
Offered January 23, 2015
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 22.1-217.2, by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-513, and by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-616, relating to information for students with emotional and intellectual disabilities.
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Patron-- Bell, Robert B.
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Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 22.1-217.2, by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-513, and by adding in Chapter 6 of Title 37.2 a section numbered 37.2-616 as follows:

§ 22.1-217.2. Information about services for students with emotional and intellectual disabilities; meetings.

A. Every local school division shall designate one or more staff members to receive training in and information about the types of services provided by the local community services board or behavioral health authority that will be available to students with intellectual disability or emotional disturbance who receive special education and related services in a public school or in a private day or residential school for students with disabilities licensed by the Board and are expected to graduate with a special diploma or certificate of program completion, upon such student's graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education.

B. The staff member described in subsection A shall take all reasonable steps to meet with every student with intellectual disability or emotional disturbance who receives special education and related services in a public school or in a private day or residential school for students with disabilities licensed by the Board and who is expected to graduate with a special diploma or certificate of program completion who has not yet met with a representative of the community services board or behavioral health authority as part of transition planning, and his parent or guardian if he is less than 18 years of age or is 18 years of age or older and he consents to the parent's or guardian's participation, at least one time during the year prior to the student's graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education to provide the student, and his parent or guardian if present, with information about (i) the types of services provided by the local community services board or behavioral health authority available to the student upon his graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education and (ii) the process by which the student may begin receiving services upon graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education. Representatives of the local community services board or behavioral health authority shall participate in the meeting if the student's parent or guardian, or the student if he is 18 years of age or older, consents to such participation.

§ 37.2-513. Information for certain students; participation in student meetings.

A. Every community services board shall provide representatives of every local school division served by the community services board training in and information about the types of services available to students with intellectual disability or emotional disturbance who receive special education and related services in a public school or in a private day or residential school for students with disabilities licensed by the Board of Education and are expected to graduate with a special diploma or certificate of program completion upon such students' graduating from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education and the processes by which such students may connect to and begin to receive such services upon graduating from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education.

B. Every community services board shall ensure that at least one employee or representative of the community services board is available, in person, to participate in meetings between local school division representatives and a student with intellectual disability or emotional disturbance who receives special education and related services in a public school or in a private day or residential school for students with disabilities licensed by the Board of Education and is expected to graduate with a special diploma or certificate of program completion, and his parent or guardian, where appropriate, to provide the student with information about (i) the types of services provided by the local community services board or behavioral health authority available to the student upon his graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education and (ii) the process by which the student may begin receiving services upon graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education, in accordance with § 22.1-217.2.

§ 37.2-616. Information for certain students; participation in student meetings.

A. Every behavioral health authority shall provide representatives of every local school division served by the behavioral health authority training in and information about the types of services available to students with intellectual disability or emotional disturbance who receive special education and related services in a public school or in a private day or residential school for students with disabilities licensed by the Board of Education and are expected to graduate with a special diploma or certificate of program completion upon such students' graduating from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education and the processes by which such students may connect to and begin to receive such services upon graduating from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education.

B. Every behavioral health authority shall ensure that at least one employee or representative of the behavioral health authority is available, in person, to participate in meetings between local school division representatives and a student with intellectual disability or emotional disturbance who receives special education and related services in a public school or in a private day or residential school for students with disabilities licensed by the Board of Education and is expected to graduate with a special diploma or certificate of program completion, and his parent or guardian, where appropriate, to provide the student with information about (i) the types of services provided by the local community services board or behavioral health authority available to the student upon his graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education and (ii) the process by which the student may begin receiving services upon graduation from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education, upon graduating from, aging out of, or otherwise leaving public education, in accordance with § 22.1-217.2.