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Minutes for HB2487 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Including emotional disability rather than emotional disturbance in the definitions of "children with disabilities" and "individuals with disabilities."
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 4, 2020
Chairperson Huebert opened the hearing on HB2487.
Revisor Jason Long gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 2)
Representative Blake Carpenter spoke as a proponent and shared the history of how this legislation came into being. (Attachment 3)
Proponent Leah Grim, School Social Worker, Derby, Kansas shared how the idea for this legislation came to her. She was working with and observed how difficult it was for a mother to label her child "emotionally disturbed." Watching the mother hesitate and struggle with this decision, Grim suddenly said, "What if we could change that label?" The mother visibly looked relieved and was able to ask for the help her child needed. Grim urged the Committee to approve this simple but profound change. (Attachment 4)
Rebekah Helget, of Kansas Special Education Advisory Council, testified as a proponent of the legislation. She represents the administrators of Special Education programs. (Attachment 5)
There was a brief discussion between the Representatives and the proponents.
Chairperson Huebert closed the hearing on HB2487 and adjourned the meeting at 2:05.
