FIRST REGULAR SESSION

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL NO. 236

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

     Reported from the Committee on Education, April 15, 2009, with recommendation that the Senate Committee Substitute do pass and be placed on the Consent Calendar.

TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.

0887S.07C

AN ACT

To amend chapter 162, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to students with disabilities, with an emergency clause.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A.  Chapter 162, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 162.1380, to read as follows:

            162.1380.  1.  The provisions of this section shall be known and referred to as "Kaitlyn's Law".

            2.  Each school district that operates a high school shall establish a policy and adopt procedures that allow a student eligible under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act who will have completed four years of high school at the end of a school year to participate in the graduation ceremony of the student's high school graduating class and all related activities if the student's individualized education program prescribes special education, transition planning, transition services, or related services beyond the student's four years of high school, and the student's individualized education program team determines the student is making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the individual education program and participation in the graduation ceremony is determined appropriate.  The policy and procedures shall require timely and meaningful written notice to children with disabilities and their parents or guardians about the school district's policy and procedures adopted in accordance with this section.

            Section B.  Because of the importance of allowing students with a disability the opportunity to participate in a graduation ceremony with their fellow students, section A of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace and safety, and is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and section A of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.

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