HB 966/SB 1103: Education - Voluntary Ethical Special Education Advocate Certificate Program
Requiring the State Department of Education to establish the Voluntary Ethical Special Education Advocate Certificate Program on or before July 1, 2019, for administration of a voluntary certificate program for ethical special education advocates; specifying qualifications and application procedures for a certificate; requiring the Department to issue a certificate to a certain applicant; authorizing an applicant to petition for judicial review of a decision of the Department that relates to issuing or renewing a certificate.
Status: HB 966 Post Hearing, Awaiting Report from W&M; SB 1103 Post Hearing, Awaiting Report from EHEA
Position: The Arc Maryland submitted opposition testimony in collaboration with Education Advocacy Coalition.
Although The Arc Maryland appreciates amendments made to this bill based on feedback we submitted last session, the bill is still concerning as the purpose of the bill is not clear
and the language is vague. "Advocate" is not defined and the components and rationale of the selection of the training program that would be used for certification makes the value of certification questionable.
Requiring each county board of education to employ a designated security administrator; requiring each county board to prepare a school emergency plan for all public schools in the county; requiring each county board to perform a safety assessment of each public school in the county each year; requiring each county board to establish a school threat assessment team; establishing the Safe Schools Fund to provide grants to county boards for the implementation of approved emergency emergency plans.
Status: Post Hearing, Awaiting Report from EHEA
Position: The Arc Maryland will submit a letter of information. Our goal is to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities in public schools are fully considered in all emergency planning efforts and that we have a voice to collaborate with the MD Safe Schools Center to that end. It is imperative that students with disabilities, and others who need assistance during evacuations and drills, have the support they need to ensure their safety in schools.
Upcoming Bills to Watch
HB 427/ SB 217: Public Schools - Student Sunscreen Use - Policy
Requiring each county board of education to adopt a certain written policy to authorize a student to possess and use sunscreen on school property or at a school-sponsored activity without written permission from a health care provider; and requiring each county board to encourage public schools to educate students about sunscreen, sun safety, and the policy established under the Act.
Status: HB 427 passed in House (135-0), First Reading in EHEA in the Senate; SB 217 passed in Senate (44-0), Hearing Scheduled 3/22 in W&M in House
Position: The Arc Maryland submitted written testimony in support of a policy that includes students with I/DD who have access to sunscreen at school. T
he existing MSDE School Health Service Guidelines do not address the need to support students with disabilities with sun protection. Current guidelines allow medications and treatments to be given at school with parental permission but do not allow sunscreen to be used in school. Some students with disabilities take medication that increases their photosensitivity, placing them at increased risk of sunburn when outside during the school day. This bill will allow all students in school to be protected from burns and students with disabilities to receive assistance to apply sunscreen for protection.
HB 251/SB 402: Education - Family Life and Human Sexuality Curriculum - Boundaries and Consent
Requiring a county board of education to provide age-appropriate instruction on the meaning of "consent," which is defined as the unambiguous and voluntary agreement between all participants in each physical act within the course of interpersonal relationships, including respect for personal boundaries; and requiring a county board to provide age-appropriate instruction on the meaning of "consent" as part of the Family Life and Human Sexuality curriculum beginning in the 2018-1019 school year.
Status: HB 251 passed in House (117-17), First Reading in EHEA in Senate; SB 402 passed in Senate (45-0), Hearing Scheduled 3/22 in W&M in House
Position:
The Arc Maryland supports this bill and submitted written testimony. We support
a proactive approach to minimizing sexual assaults by teaching students about the meaning of consent. We support developing awareness of personal interactions, especially when it comes to consent in human sexuality and boundaries.
Requiring each county board of education to employ a designated security administrator; requiring each county board to prepare a school emergency plan for all public schools in the county; requiring each county board to perform a safety assessment of each public school in the county each year; requiring each county board to establish a school threat assessment team; establishing the Safe Schools Fund to provide grants to county boards for the implementation of approved school emergency plans.
Status: Hearing 3/22 at 1 pm in W&M
Position: The Arc Maryland will submit a letter of information. Our goal is to ensure that the needs of students with disabilities in public schools are fully considered in all emergency planning efforts and that we have a voice to collaborate with the MD Safe Schools Center to that end. It is imperative that students with disabilities, and others who need assistance during evacuations and drills, have the support they need to ensure their safety in schools.
SB 550 (
HB 782)
Maryland Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Program - Modifications
Description: Providing that certain money in the Maryland Prepaid College Trust may not be considered money of or be commingled with the Maryland Broker-Dealer College Investment Plan or the Maryland ABLE program; requiring the Board to allow the transfer of funds from certain trusts and plans to any qualified ABLE program; altering the limit on money and assets that a certain account holder can contribute to an ABLE account during a certain period of time.
Modifications: [providing that certain money in the Maryland Prepaid College Trust may not be considered money of or be commingled with the Maryland Broker-Dealer College Investment Plan or the Maryland ABLE Program; altering the title of a certain savings plan under the authority of the Maryland 529 Board; requiring the Board to allow the transfer of funds from certain trusts and plans to a certain program; altering the limit on money and assets that a certain account holder can contribute to an ABLE account during a certain period of time; altering the circumstances under which the Board shall issue a refund to an ABLE account contributor;
Status: Passed Third Reader on the Senate Floor on 3/8. Hearing in the House, HGO Room 240, 1 p.m. on 3/21/18
Position: Monitor. Proposed amendments to the original bill to not seem to substantially alter the intent of eliminating the Medicaid "clawback" provision of current law.