Bill Summary for H 868 (2013-2014)

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Summary date: 

Jun 13 2013
S.L. 2013-247

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2013-2014 Session
House Bill 868 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 11, 2013
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO REPEAL UNNECESSARY STATUTES, MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES TO THE GENERAL STATUTES, AND CLARIFY OPERATION AND OVERSIGHT OF CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS FORMERLY GOVERNED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.
Intro. by Farmer-Butterfield, Tolson.

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Bill summary

Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Repeals GS 115C-383 regarding school attendance of deaf and sight-impaired children. Also repeals Part 9A, State School for Sight-Impaired Children, of Article 3 of GS Chapter 143B.

Changes the title of new Article 9C in GS Chapter 115C to Schools for Students with Visual and Hearing Impairments (was, Residential Schools for Visually Impaired and Hearing Impaired Students). Makes the Department of Public Instruction (DPI)responsible for the administration and oversight of schools governed under new Article 9C (was, designated the State Board of Education as responsible for administration and oversight as well as the sole governing agency for these schools).

Clarifies that except as may be otherwise provided, the requirements of GS Chapter 115C apply to the schools governed by Article 9C (the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf). Limits free tuition, room, and board at a school governed under Article 9C to children who are residents of North Carolina.

Makes conforming changes to GS 143B-138.1(b). Amends GS 143B-146.1(b) to add a definition for residential school as a school operated by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that provides residential services to students. Excludes schools operated under new Article 9C of GS Chapter 115C from this definition of residential school for the purposes of this Part. Makes a conforming change to the definition for a participating school.

Provides that unless they are inconsistent with the provisions of Article 9C of GS Chapter 115C, the rules governing the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf and adopted under former Part 9A or Part 30 of Article 3 of GS Chapter 143B, or any other provisions of Chapter 143B prior to amendment by this act, remain in effect until they are superseded by rules adopted under Article 9C of GS Chapter 115C as enacted by Section 2 of this act.

Provides that notwithstanding GS 143C-6-4, DPI may reorganize staffing of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf, and the North Carolina School for the Deaf to meet needed functions (was, authorized the State Board of education to make any needed organizational changes).

Provides that DHHS may enter into a memorandum of understanding with DPI for DPI to assume responsibility for information technology support and repair and maintenance of grounds and facilities for the schools governed under Article 9C of GS Chapter 115C.

Directs DPI to study and develop recommendations on educational options, including residential services, for students with visual and hearing impairments. Requires DPI to report its findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (Committee)on or before January 1, 2014.

Before the initial adoption of therules required by Section 2 of this act,directsDPI and the State Board of Education to present a draft of the proposed rules to the Committee on or before January 1, 2014.