SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1606        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 313

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Barbara A. L'Italien

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act to establish a discretionary grant program for students with autism.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Barbara A. L'Italien

Second Essex and Middlesex

Carolyn C. Dykema

8th Middlesex

Marjorie C. Decker

25th Middlesex

Anne M. Gobi

Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex

Timothy R. Madden

Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

Brian A. Joyce

Norfolk, Bristol and Plymouth

Joan B.  Lovely

Second Essex

Robert L. Hedlund

Plymouth and Norfolk

Marcos A. Devers

16th Essex

Paul R. Heroux

2nd Bristol


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1606        FILED ON: 1/16/2015

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 313

By Mrs. L'Italien, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 313) of Barbara L'Italien, Carolyn C. Dykema, Marjorie C. Decker, Anne M. Gobi and other members of the General Court for legislation to establish a discretionary grant program for students with autism.  Education.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Eighty-Ninth General Court
(2015-2016)

_______________

 

An Act to establish a discretionary grant program for students with autism.

 

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 71B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting, after Section 16, the following section:-

Section 17-- The department of elementary and secondary education shall, subject to appropriation, establish and administer a discretionary grant program with the purpose of providing monies and assistance to school committees that wish to improve the provision of service and support to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the least restrictive environment; provided that the grant program shall support school committees in the development of programs and the preparation of personnel experienced in the area of autism spectrum disorder; Said program and the preparation of personnel shall specially address the verbal and nonverbal communication needs of the child; the need to develop social interaction skills and proficiencies; the skills and proficiencies needed to avoid and respond to bullying, harassment or teasing; the needs resulting from resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines; the needs resulting from engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements; the need for an positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports to address any behavioral difficulties resulting from autism spectrum disorder; transition needs of youth ages 14-22 to support employment, higher education, and independent living; and other needs resulting from the child's disability that impact progress in the general curriculum in the least restrictive environment, including social and emotional development.