HB 951

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI AUTISM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR STUDENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIPT OF A SCHOLARSHIP AND RESTRICTING ELIGIBILITY THEREFOR; TO PROVIDE FOR THE TERM OF THE SCHOLARSHIP; TO STIPULATE THE OBLIGATIONS OF PARENTS OR LEGAL GUARDIANS, STUDENTS AND SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS; TO PRESCRIBE THE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH THE AUTHORITY TO VERIFY THE ELIGIBILITY OF NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TO ESTABLISH THE PROCESS FOR NOTIFICATIONS OF VIOLATIONS; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DENY, SUSPEND OR REVOKE A SCHOOL'S PARTICIPATION IN THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AND THE PROCEDURES TAKEN WITH RESPECT THEREFOR; TO REQUIRE THAT ALL COMPULSORY–SCHOOL–AGE CHILDREN BE SCREENED FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER DURING THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE SPRING OF KINDERGARTEN AND THE FALL OF GRADE 1 AND OTHER APPROPRIATE TIMES AS DEEMED NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF THIS STATE; TO ESTABLISH THE PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED IN SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF STUDENTS FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND RELATED DISORDERS AND PRESCRIBING WHO SHALL ADMINISTER THE SCREENING AND EVALUATION; TO REQUIRE THAT SCHOOL DIAGNOSTICIANS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THE EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSIS OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUBMIT AN ANNUAL REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE SUMMARIZING STUDENT PERFORMANCE, STUDENT ASSESSMENTS, FUNDING AND ANY RECOMMENDED CHANGES; TO PRESCRIBE APPROPRIATE QUALIFICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL; TO REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SERVE AS THE LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY FOR THOSE SCHOOLS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE TO PAY DIRECTLY TO THE SCHOOL ANY FEDERAL OR STATE AID ATTRIBUTABLE TO A STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY ATTENDING THE SCHOOL; TO REQUIRE THE SCHOOL TO COMPLY WITH THE ANNUAL AUDIT AND BUDGET SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED BY LAW IN TITLE 37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.