HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3941        FILED ON: 1/14/2009

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 493

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the Year Two Thousand Nine

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An Act Ensure Students with Disabilities Succeed as Adults:  Transition Coordinators..

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting the following paragraph at the end of section 38G:-

The board of education shall promulgate revisions to the Regulations for Educator Licensure and Preparation Program Approval (currently 603 CMR 7.00) to provide an Advanced Certificate in Transition Services which shall include both coursework and a practicum for previously licensed special education teachers and rehabilitation counselors to develop the competencies necessary to serve as transition coordinators.   The requirements for the Advanced Certificate in Transition Services, as promulgated by the board,  can also be used to satisfy the requirements for a professional license. 

SECTION 2.  Chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2006 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting section 3B at the end of section 3A.

A school committee shall employ transition coordinators with an Advanced Certificate in Transition Services.  A school committee school shall employ the number of such transition coordinators  necessary to adequately plan, coordinate, and provide transition services for the number of children with disabilities ages, 14-22 enrolled in its school district.  The department shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this section.