This Kansas House resolution urges the U.S. Congress to fulfill its original promise to fund 40% of the average per-student costs for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The bill directly affects state and local school districts, which currently must cover the remaining costs because the federal government has never paid its promised share. By requesting this federal funding, the resolution aims to relieve the financial burden on states and localities, which often leads to cuts in other educational programs or tax increases. The text does not create new laws but serves as a formal request to the federal government to meet its existing funding commitment.
This Kansas legislative resolution urges the U.S. Department of Education to distribute all federal education funding to the state as a single block grant rather than through various specific grants. The bill seeks to reduce federal requirements attached to these funds, allowing the state more flexibility in how it uses the money for local education needs. While it encourages the continuation of current pass-through funding for programs like special education, it specifically requests that other federal funds be given without restrictions on their use. The resolution is a formal request sent to federal officials and does not have the power to change federal law or mandate how the Department of Education must distribute funds.
SB 440 creates a two-year pilot program allowing private entities to operate special education teacher training programs with temporary (provisional) state accreditation. This directly affects private organizations seeking to train special education teachers, requiring them to provide high-quality instruction to bachelor's degree holders pursuing licensure. The bill permits these entities to collect program data during the pilot and outlines a clear path to apply for full accreditation under existing state law after the pilot concludes. It does not change current licensure requirements but establishes a new pathway for private providers to enter the teacher training system.
SB 441 authorizes private providers to deliver medically necessary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy during school hours for students with autism spectrum disorder, as prescribed by a healthcare provider. School districts must permit these services when parents provide documentation from a healthcare provider and a treatment plan, and private providers must pass background checks. The bill requires school districts to adopt policies for this service and allows third-party insurance to cover costs, without replacing existing school-based behavioral support under IEPs.
SB 383 expands the definition of "special teacher" in Kansas law to include qualified third-party providers contracted by school districts to deliver special education or related services. This change allows school districts to seek state aid reimbursement for services provided by these contracted providers to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The bill amends statutes K.S.A. 72-3404 and 72-3422 to formally include these external service providers within the reimbursement framework. It directly affects school districts, contracted special education providers, and students with IEPs receiving services under such agreements. The policy change specifically enables state funding for contracted services that previously did not qualify for reimbursement under the existing definition.
SB 382 allows Kansas virtual schools to administer and proctor statewide student assessments (like standardized tests) remotely for full-time virtual students. It requires virtual schools to follow strict security rules: assessments must occur during the same time window as in-person students, use synchronized sessions managed by school staff, monitor students via camera (using one device with integrated proctoring or two devices), enforce browser lockdown, and maintain a 10:1 student-to-proctor ratio. The bill directly affects full-time virtual school students in Kansas and their schools, enabling remote testing while ensuring assessment integrity. All costs for implementation will be covered by the state education department, and the policy supplements Kansas' virtual school act. The bill is currently pending before the Education Committee after introduction in January 2026.
HB 2236 establishes a Mental Health Intervention Team Program under Kansas' Department for Aging and Disability Services to improve access to mental health services for K-12 students. The program requires mental health providers to offer 24/7 outpatient care, person-centered treatment planning, and coordination with schools, while providing incentives for school districts and qualified schools (including nonpublic schools meeting accreditation standards) to collaborate with providers. It specifically targets students needing mental health support, such as those in foster care or referred to family programs, and aims to address staffing shortages in rural schools by fostering coordinated care outside traditional school hours.
HB 2203 amends Kansas special education law to include children with fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD) under the definition of "other health impairment" in the Special Education for Exceptional Children Act. This change ensures children with FASD qualify for the same special education services, including individualized education programs (IEPs), that are currently available to children with other health impairments. The bill updates K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 72-3404 to explicitly add FASD to the list of qualifying conditions, removing previous exclusion. As a result, children with FASD in Kansas will now have access to necessary educational supports previously unavailable under the law.
SB 246 requires all teaching license applicants and school employees with student contact in Kansas to undergo state and national criminal background checks. Applicants must pay for checks upfront, while school districts can cover costs for employees or require employees to pay fees. Checks must be conducted every five years (starting July 2025 for new hires, and from July 2025 for existing staff), with employees reporting certain convictions within 30 days. A new reimbursement fund will cover costs for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services conducting these checks.
HB 2202 requires Kansas postsecondary education institutions training future teachers to equip pre-service educators (those studying to become licensed teachers) in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education with specific knowledge about fetal alcohol syndrome disorder (FASD). The bill mandates that these institutions teach trainees to recognize FASD signs and behaviors, understand its impacts on learning and behavior, and learn communication techniques for discussing suspected FASD with parents or guardians. This applies to all state universities, municipal universities, community colleges, and accredited private institutions in Kansas offering teacher preparation programs. The policy directly affects teacher training programs and future educators, aiming to improve support for children with FASD in schools.
