Resolve, To Establish the Task Force To Identify Special Education Cost Drivers and Innovative Approaches to Services

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the Task Force To Identify Special Education Cost Drivers and Innovative Approaches to Services will work to address the rising cost of special education while maintaining high-quality services that accommodate the needs of all children; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Task force established. Resolved: That, notwithstanding Joint Rule 353, the Task Force To Identify Special Education Cost Drivers and Innovative Approaches to Services, referred to in this resolve as "the task force," is established; and be it further

Sec. 2. Task force membership. Resolved: That the task force consists of 13 members appointed as follows:

1. A Senate member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, appointed by the President of the Senate;

2. A House of Representatives member of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

3. A school superintendent representing the Maine School Superintendents Association, appointed by the President of the Senate;

4. A member of a school board representing the Maine School Boards Association, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

5. Two special education directors representing a statewide association of special education directors or teachers, appointed by the President of the Senate. One of the members must be a special education director who serves an urban school administrative unit, and the other member must be a special education director who serves a rural school administrative unit;

6. A principal representing the Maine Principals' Association, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

7. A teacher representing the Maine Education Association, appointed by the President of the Senate;

8. A parent of a student with special needs representing a statewide association of parents of students with special needs, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

9. An advocate for students with special needs, appointed by the President of the Senate;

10. A school finance manager or a school business manager, appointed by the Speaker of the House;

11. A special education student who graduated from a school administrative unit in the State within the last 5 years, appointed by the President of the Senate; and

12. An employee of the Department of Education, appointed by the Commissioner of Education; and be it further

Sec. 3. Chairs. Resolved: That the Senate member is the Senate chair and the House of Representatives member is the House chair of the task force; and be it further

Sec. 4. Appointments; convening of task force. Resolved: That all appointments must be made no later than 30 days following the effective date of this resolve. The appointing authorities shall notify the Executive Director of the Legislative Council once all appointments have been completed. After appointment of all members, the chairs shall call and convene the first meeting of the task force. If 30 days or more after the effective date of this resolve a majority of but not all appointments have been made, the chairs may request authority and the Legislative Council may grant authority for the task force to meet and conduct its business; and be it further

Sec. 5. Duties; authorized meetings. Resolved: That the task force shall address the rising cost of special education and the maintenance of high-quality services that accommodate the needs of all children by identifying cost drivers and recommending innovative approaches to serving students. The task force may hold no more than 5 meetings; and be it further

Sec. 6. Staff assistance. Resolved: That the Legislative Council shall provide necessary staffing services to the task force; and be it further

Sec. 7. Report. Resolved: That, no later than December 6, 2017, the task force shall submit a report that includes its findings and recommendations, including suggested legislation, for presentation to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.