Forwarded Action Alert Re LD 552

Forwarded Action Alert:

Though the Public Hearing has already been held, you can still contact Members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee in Support of LD 552, An Act To Strengthen the Individualized Education Program Process. 

Bill summary:  This bill requires that changes to the individualized education program for a child with a disability be made by consensus of the individualized education program team. The bill also requires that the individualized education program team allow a person who provides special education services to a child with a disability through regular and direct contact to participate in a team meeting concerning that child upon the request of the individual or the request of a member of the team. Finally, the bill requires the Commissioner of Education to submit proposed changes to the rules governing special education to the Legislature by January 1, 2022 to amend the rules to conform with the provisions of the bill.

SAMPLE LETTER:
 
Dear Rep/Sen ________

I am writing as the parent of a son/daughter with special needs to ask you to support LD 552 An Act To Strengthen the Individualized Education Program Process.  

 LD 552 requires that changes to a child's individualized education program may be made only with the consensus of the IEP team; in other words, with a parent’s consent.  If the team is unable to reach consensus on proposed changes, the IEP in effect at the time of the proposed changes remains in effect. Either party can then request mediation or other dispute resolution.

Under current law, Maine school districts may make material changes to a student’s IEP without the parents’ consent as long as they provide parents with prior written notice of the changes. If the parents disagree with the school district’s proposals, they have to initiate a costly and difficult due process hearing.

LD 552 improves the IEP process by ensuring that every expert at that table has a voice – including parents and the educators who work most closely with the student. It does this simply – by assuring that plans can’t change without agreement. In fact, at least 12 states require parental consent, or consensus, before changes are made to a student’s IEP.

The bill also requires that the IEP team allow an ed tech, who provides services to a child on a regular basis and who often knows the child best, to participate in a team meeting if a parent or other team member requests it.

Thank you for your consideration, 
________

You can use the sample letter above as a template, and fill in relevant information and tell your own story.  Then you can simply email it to Members of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee at the email addresses listed below:

•  Senator Joseph Rafferty - Chair:  [email protected]
•  Senator Matthea Daughtry: [email protected]
•  Senator David Woodsome: [email protected]
•  Representative Michael Brennan - Chair: [email protected]
•  Representative Ed Crockett: [email protected]
•  Representative Jan Dodge: [email protected]
•  Representative Sheila Lyman: [email protected]
•  Representative David McCrea: [email protected]
•  Representative Rebecca Millett (She is the bill sponsor, so advocacy is not needed, but you can always thank her!):  [email protected]
•  Representative Tim Roche: [email protected]
•  Representative Suzanne Salisbury: [email protected]
•  Representative Heidi Sampson: [email protected]
•  Representative Paul Stearns: [email protected]

Thank you for taking action!

(Please note where it says comments are closed below it refers to comments on this post and on this website not comments on the bill).