Date: 01/26/2009

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB09-1078

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to refer House Bill 09-1078 to the CommitteePASS



03:13 PM -- House Bill 09-1078

The committee recessed briefly before hearing House Bill 09-1078.


03:17 PM

The committee came back to order, and Representative Ryden, sponsor of House Bill 09-1078, regarding foster parent training for individualized education programs (IEPs), presented her bill to the committee.


03:18 PM

Representative Peniston asked why the training is being done through the Department of Human Services instead of the Department of Education. Representative Ryden replied that she would have to find a response for her.


03:19 PM

The following people testified on the bill:


03:20 PM -- Marijo Rymer, representing the ARC of Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Rymer explained that training for foster parents occurs through the Department of Human Services, and that is why it was included in the human services section of state law.


03:22 PM

Representative Murray asked what the training would consist of. Ms. Rymer explained that it would need to be promulgated through rule.


03:26 PM -- James Faulkner, representing the Bridging the Gap Program (BTG), testified in support of the bill and shared his experience as a foster child and the effect it had on his education.


03:28 PM

Representative Peniston commended Mr. Faulkner for testifying today.


03:28 PM -- Halston Green, also representing BTG, testified in support of the bill and shared his experience as a foster child and the obstacles he has faced in his education. He noted that he graduated from high school this past summer.


03:33 PM -- Zane Grant, representing Court Appointed Special Advocates in Pueblo County, testified in support of the bill.


03:39 PM

A committee discussion ensued about providing foster parents with the necessary tools to understand not only the child's IEP but also the child's educational history. Representative Merrifield asked Ed Steinberg of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to address some questions raised by the committee. Dr. Steinberg noted that foster parents typically do not have legal standing in IEP meetings. He also explained that there are organizations in the state that provide training to parents on IEPs. Representative Solano asked Dr. Steinberg to explain how records follow students. Dr. Steinberg explained that legislation passed in the 2008 legislative session requires more communication between DHS and school districts to improve transfer of records.


03:44 PM

Dr. Steinberg reiterated that foster parents do not have same legal standing as a biological parent under federal law, and it is the guardian ad litem that represents the child, not the foster parent. Representative Murray asked how the DHS became charged with this training. Dr. Steinberg explained that CDE also shared that question. Representative Murray asked if DHS has expertise on IEP training. Dr. Steinberg stated that he cannot speak to the department's expertise, but understands that the training would most likely be brokered with a local entity.


03:48 PM

Representative Todd stated that she thinks that there would be a training offered in cooperation with the local school district. Representative Todd also offered her thanks to Mr. Faulkner and Mr. Green for their testimony. Representative Scanlan explained that she supports the bill but is concerned that the foster parents will get the appropriate training from DHS.




BILL:HB09-1078
TIME: 03:52:35 PM
MOVED:Todd
MOTION:Moved to refer House Bill 09-1078 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 9-0-4 vote.
SECONDED:Massey
VOTE
Baumgardner
Excused
Benefield
Excused
Massey
Yes
Middleton
Excused
Murray
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Priola
Yes
Scanlan
Yes
Schafer S.
Yes
Summers
Excused
Todd
Yes
Solano
Yes
Merrifield
Yes
Final YES: 9 NO: 0 EXC: 4 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS




03:53 PM

The committee adjourned.