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Minutes for HB2745 - Committee on Children and Seniors
Short Title
Establishing a task force that would draft a transition bill of rights to educate parents and students regarding their rights and resources related to transition services for students receiving special education.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 15, 2018
The Chair welcomed members and guests and opened the hearing on HB 2745. Kyle Hamilton, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, reviewed the parameters and requirements of the bill, saying that the establishment of a task force to study the issue of a transition bill of rights for Kansans is the primary focus of the bill. He noted that the concluding work of the task force is to be submitted to the Governor, State Board of Education and the legislature on or before January 20, 2020.
Mike Wasmer, speaking as a proponent of HB 2745, said that the implementation of a transition bill of rights would begin to outline common goals needed by a student with disabilities. He noted that a post-high school student needs to have a system of support for obtaining employment, applying for college, and developing skills for independent living. Commenting on the complexity of applications, he suggested any such document should be written in language a sixth-grade student could comprehend (Attachment 1).
Leia Holley, representing a non-profit organization, Families Together, Inc., indicated the agency's primary goal is to assist families of children and youth in navigating the special education system. She noted that Families Together, Inc. is engaged with other entities who are working to serve families of children with disabilities or special health care needs. Ms. Holley acknowledged the need for more support in providing transition services for students with disabilities, which include social skills, technical skills, employment expertise and independent living acumen (Attachment 2).
Steve Gieber, a proponent of HB 2745, reported the council's five-year plan of review revealed continual poor outcomes despite a great deal of activity at both the state and federal level to improve transition services. He noted that the Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act created additional supports, but the schools and families are unfamiliar with how to access those services. Mr. Gieber said Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities is working to help resolve the information disconnect (Attachment 3).
Rocky Nichols provided testimony in support of HB 2745, and expressed appreciation for the committee's consideration of this bill (Attachment 4). He reported that a survey compiled by the Disability Rights Center of Kansas revealed a need for transition services and individual rights to be more clearly communicated to students and parents (Attachment 4a). He made reference to a free iTransition app that can be found on the Disability Rights Center website explaining that a student can answer a series of questions about his/her desires for transition and the app automatically delivers the information back to him/her via email. The email can then be forwarded to their IEP team meeting; the student is engaged in the transition process from the beginning.
In his testimony, Mr. Nichols referenced a document entitled Transition Frequently Asked Questions (Attachment 4b). A copy of the Transition Bill of Rights, which contains pertinent information for parents of students who are involved in special education services, was presented (Attachment 4c).
The following proponents provided written-only testimony on HB 2745.
Jawanda Mast, Parent and Disability Rights Advocate (Attachment 5).
Amy Allison, Chief Operating Officer, Down Syndrome Guild (Attachment 6).
Carole Prothe, Parent (Attachment 7).
Kathryn Winegar, Parent (Attachment 8),
Jennifer Smith, Parent (Attachment 9).
Terry Collins, speaking in opposition to HB 2745, commented on the decline of adult services over the past seven years. He noted that the bill originated in the state of Connecticut and is not plausible for Kansas without determining the full extent of the contents. Mr. Collins indicated the bill could be better addressed in the House Education Committee. He emphasized that the legal requirements for post-secondary transition are being followed and that the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) conducts a review of every school district annually. Mr. Collins acknowledged that the appropriate entity to work on this bill is the Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC), which is mandated by both state and federal law. He stated the function of SEAC is to advise KSDE of unmet needs in the education of children with disabilities(Attachment 10).
Heath Peine spoke in opposition to HB 2745 indicating his concern in that the bill seeks to establish powers and rights that may be more broad than a task force recommendation should include. He expressed concern over moving control of the transition process out of the hands of educational experts as not being the best way to find improvement. Mr. Peine commented on the unbalance of committee members of the proposed task force, saying that disability rights advocates outweigh persons who have more educational expertise (Attachment 11).
The hearing on HB 2745 was closed.
