All Roll Calls
Yes: 264 • No: 33
ConnecticutHB 050012025 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT CONCERNING THE QUALITY AND DELIVERY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT.
Sponsored By: Education Committee
Signed by Governor
Summary
To improve the quality and delivery of special education services.
educationspecial education
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
More children qualify for special education
Beginning July 1, 2025, children ages three through eight can qualify for special education based on a developmental delay. Previously, this category covered ages three through five. The delay must cause the child to need special education.
College students keep remedial learning support
The Board of Regents must keep college-readiness programs and embedded and intensive remedial support at public institutions where previously offered. Starting fall 2025, each program must continue where offered in the corresponding fall 2024 or spring 2025 semester. The requirement continues in spring 2026 and every semester afterward.
Behavior support before moving children out
Beginning September 1, 2025, school boards must assess behavior before placing a student outside the district for challenging behavior. They must also create or update a behavior support plan. Boards can skip these steps when the delay would endanger the student, another student, or school staff. They must explain the safety exception to the Department of Education within two business days after the decision.
Broader state oversight of special education
Beginning July 1, 2025, state approval and supervision covers additional child-caring agencies and schools receiving specified state special education funds. Their education programs and facilities are also covered. A state commission must recommend a new method for reviewing private providers, including application and applicant standards. The Department of Education uses that method with the Office of Policy and Management.
State develops special education workload standards
Beginning July 1, 2025, the education commissioner must develop a proposed statewide workload model for special education teachers and service providers. It must account for student needs, service levels, planning, evaluations, coordination, staff development, follow-up, and travel. The proposal is due July 1, 2026, and must be available through the state special education data system by September 1, 2026. The law does not immediately impose workload limits.
Limits on school special education charges
Beginning July 1, 2025, covered providers generally cannot raise school-board charges for services in a student's individualized education program. Charges can change when the program adds or removes services. The Department of Education can approve increases for substantial, documented increases in service or operating costs. It must decide requests within 60 days.
New billing standards for student transportation
The Department of Education must develop transportation billing standards by January 1, 2027. Beginning July 1, 2027, providers must follow them when charging school boards for transportation to and from special education placements outside the district. The law does not set a transportation charge for families.
School reimbursement requires written provider contracts
Beginning July 1, 2026, school boards need written private-provider contracts to receive specified state reimbursement for special education costs. A student's individualized education program does not count as that contract. This requirement does not authorize stopping special education services.
New safeguards and limits for family hearings
Beginning July 1, 2025, parties in special education hearings must disclose all planned claims at least five business days beforehand. Officers can exclude late claims unless they find good cause. Testimony and arguments are limited to four days; extra time requires good cause and a written decision. Hearing officers or boards must consider all evaluations presented and used. Written decisions must address classroom support efforts, comparative educational benefits, possible harms to other students, and inclusion with nondisabled students.
State rates govern school service payments
Beginning July 1, 2025, actual spending is no longer presumed reasonable for specified state education funding. Beginning July 1, 2026, allowed state rates define reasonable costs, and new or amended covered private-provider contracts must follow applicable rates. Early rates require posting by January 1 of the prior school year; the full schedule is due January 1, 2028, effective July 1, 2028. Rates must fairly allocate operating expenses among students' services; private-provider rates need legislative approval unless lawmakers take no action by March 15 following submission. Charges above applicable rates cannot receive specified state reimbursement or count as special education spending under the expansion grant.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Education Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/24/2025
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Yes: 41 • No: 13
House vote • 2/10/2025
ED Vote Tally Sheet (Vote to Draft)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2025
Senate Roll Call Vote 324
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 2/10/2025
House Roll Call Vote 228 AS AMENDED
Yes: 148 • No: 0
House vote • 2/10/2025
ED Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Change of Reference)
Yes: 30 • No: 15
House vote • 1/15/2025
SED Vote Tally Sheet (Change of Reference)
Yes: 10 • No: 5
Actions Timeline
Signed by the Governor
6/23/2025legislatureTransmitted by Secretary of the State to Governor
6/16/2025legislatureTransmitted to the Secretary of State
6/16/2025legislaturePublic Act 25-67
6/10/2025legislatureIn Concurrence
6/2/2025legislatureSenate Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
6/2/2025SenateSenate Adopted House Amendment Schedule A
6/2/2025SenateSenate Calendar Number 568
5/29/2025SenateFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, Senate
5/29/2025SenateImmediate Transmittal to the Senate
5/29/2025SenateHouse Passed as Amended by House Amendment Schedule A
5/29/2025HouseHouse Adopted House Amendment Schedule A 9672
5/29/2025HouseFile Number 828
5/5/2025legislatureHouse Calendar Number 529
5/5/2025HouseFavorable Report, Tabled for the Calendar, House
5/5/2025HouseReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
5/5/2025legislatureReferred to Office of Legislative Research and Office of Fiscal Analysis 05/05/25 12:00 PM
4/28/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
4/25/2025legislatureJoint Favorable
4/24/2025legislatureFavorable Change of Reference, Senate to Committee on Appropriations
3/28/2025legislatureFavorable Change of Reference, House to Committee on Appropriations
3/27/2025legislatureReported Out of Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/27/2025legislatureFiled with Legislative Commissioners' Office
3/25/2025legislatureJoint Favorable Change of Reference Appropriations
3/24/2025legislaturePublic Hearing 03/12
3/7/2025legislature
Bill Text
Public Act No. 25-67
6/10/2025
File No. 828
5/5/2025
APP Joint Favorable
3/24/2025
Committee Bill
3/24/2025
ED Joint Favorable Change of Reference
3/24/2025
Proposed Bill
1/8/2025
APP Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable)
Bill Analysis For File Copy 828
Bill Analysis for HB-5001, as amended by House "A"
ED Joint Fav. Rpt
ED Vote Tally Sheet (Joint Favorable Change of Reference)
ED Vote Tally Sheet (Vote to Draft)
Fiscal Note For File Copy 828
Fiscal Note for Amendment LCO 9672 (See Fiscal Note Details)
Fiscal Note for HB-5001, As Amended by House "A" (LCO 9672)
House Roll Call Vote 228 AS AMENDED
House Schedule A LCO# 9672 (D)
SED Vote Tally Sheet (Change of Reference)
Senate Roll Call Vote 324
Summary for Public Act No. 25-67
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