Bill Text: CA AB2091 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Special education: individualized education programs: translation services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From Senate committee without further action. [AB2091 Detail]
Download: California-2015-AB2091-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: AB 2091 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 21, 2016
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MAY 27, 2016
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 13, 2016
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 28, 2016
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Lopez
FEBRUARY 17, 2016
An act to amend Sections 56043 and 56341.5 of, and to add
Sections 56348 and 56349 Section 56348 to, the
Education Code, relating to special education.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2091, as amended, Lopez. Special education: individualized
education programs: translation services.
(1) Existing law requires local educational agencies to identify,
locate, and assess individuals with exceptional needs and to provide
those pupils with a free appropriate public education in the least
restrictive environment, with special education and related services
as reflected in an individualized education program. Existing law
requires a local educational agency to initiate and conduct meetings
for the purposes of developing, reviewing, and revising the
individualized education program of each individual with exceptional
needs in accordance federal law. Existing law requires the local
educational agency to take any action necessary to ensure that the
parent or guardian understands the proceedings at a meeting,
including arranging for an interpreter for parents or guardians with
deafness or whose native language is a language other than English.
This bill would require a local educational agency to also provide
translation services for a pupil's parent, guardian, or educational
rights holder, as specified. The bill would require the local
educational agency, if requested by a pupil's parent, guardian, or
educational rights holder, to provide the parent, guardian, or
educational rights holder with a translated copy of the
individualized education program and program,
any revisions to the individualized education program
program, and certain documents
discussed at an individualized education program team meeting
within 60 days of that meeting and to provide a translated
copy of certain documents discussed at an individualized education
program team meeting in the parent's, guardian's, or
educational rights holder's primary language within 30 days
of the meeting. language. The bill would require
the documents to be translated by a qualified translator, as
defined, who is proficient in both the English language and the
non-English language to be used. The bill would require the
department State Department of Education
to revise its notice of procedural safeguards, in English and
in the primary languages for which the department has developed
translated versions, to inform parents of their right to request the
translation of these documents. By imposing additional duties on
local educational agencies, the bill would impose a state-mandated
local program.
(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 56043 of the Education Code is amended to read:
56043. The primary timelines affecting special education programs
are as follows:
(a) A proposed assessment plan shall be developed within 15
calendar days of referral for assessment, not counting calendar days
between the pupil's regular school sessions or terms or calendar days
of school vacation in excess of five schooldays, from the date of
receipt of the referral, unless the parent or guardian agrees in
writing to an extension, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section
56321.
(b) A parent or guardian shall have at least 15 calendar days from
the receipt of the proposed assessment plan to arrive at a decision,
pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 56321.
(c) Once a child has been referred for an initial assessment to
determine whether the child is an individual with exceptional needs
and to determine the educational needs of the child, these
determinations shall be made, and an individualized education program
team meeting shall occur within 60 days of receiving parental
consent for the assessment, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section
56302.1, except as specified in subdivision (b) of that section, and
pursuant to Section 56344.
(d) The individualized education program team shall review the
pupil's individualized education program periodically, but not less
frequently than annually, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section
56341.1.
(e) A parent or guardian shall be notified of the individualized
education program team meeting early enough to ensure an opportunity
to attend, pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 56341.5. In the
case of an individual with exceptional needs who is 16 years of age
or younger, if appropriate, the meeting notice shall indicate that a
purpose of the meeting will be the consideration of the postsecondary
goals and transition services for the individual with exceptional
needs, and the meeting notice described in this subdivision shall
indicate that the individual with exceptional needs is invited to
attend, pursuant to subdivision (e) of Section 56341.5.
(f) (1) An individualized education program required as a result
of an assessment of a pupil shall be developed within a total time
not to exceed 60 calendar days, not counting days between the pupil's
regular school sessions, terms, or days of school vacation in excess
of five schooldays, from the date of receipt of the parent's or
guardian's written consent for assessment, unless the parent or
guardian agrees in writing to an extension, pursuant to Section
56344.
(2) A meeting to develop an initial individualized education
program for the pupil shall be conducted within 30 days of a
determination that the child needs special education and related
services pursuant to Section 300.323(c)(1) of Title 34 of the Code of
Federal Regulations and in accordance with Section 56344.
(g) (1) Beginning not later than the first individualized
education program to be in effect when the pupil is 16 years of age,
or younger if determined appropriate by the individualized education
program team, and updated annually thereafter, the individualized
education program shall include appropriate measurable postsecondary
goals and transition services needed to assist the pupil in reaching
those goals, pursuant to paragraph (8) of subdivision (a) of Section
56345.
(2) The individualized education program for pupils in grades 7 to
12, inclusive, shall include any alternative means and modes
necessary for the pupil to complete the district's prescribed course
of study and to meet or exceed proficiency standards for graduation,
pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 56345.
(3) Beginning not later than one year before the pupil reaches 18
years of age, the individualized education program shall contain a
statement that the pupil has been informed of the pupil's rights
under this part, if any, that will transfer to the pupil upon
reaching 18 years of age, pursuant to Section 56041.5, subdivision
(g) of Section 56345, and Section 300.520 of Title 34 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
(h) Beginning at the age of 16 years or younger, and annually
thereafter, a statement of needed transition services shall be
included in the pupil's individualized education program, pursuant to
Section 56345.1 and Section 1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIII) of Title 20 of
the United States Code.
(i) A pupil's individualized education program shall be
implemented as soon as possible following the individualized
education program team meeting, pursuant to Section 300.323(c)(2) of
Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations and in accordance with
Section 56344.
(j) An individualized education program team shall meet at least
annually to review a pupil's progress, the individualized education
program, including whether the annual goals for the pupil are being
achieved, the appropriateness of the placement, and to make any
necessary revisions, pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 56343.
The local educational agency shall maintain procedures to ensure that
the individualized education program team reviews the pupil's
individualized education program periodically, but not less
frequently than annually, to determine whether the annual goals for
the pupil are being achieved, and revises the individualized
education program as appropriate to address, among other matters, the
provisions specified in subdivision (d) of Section 56341.1, pursuant
to subdivision (a) of Section 56380.
(k) A reassessment of a pupil shall occur not more frequently than
once a year, unless the parent and the local educational agency
agree otherwise in writing, and shall occur at least once every three
years, unless the parent and the local educational agency agree, in
writing, that a reassessment is unnecessary, pursuant to Section
56381, and in accordance with Section 1414(a)(2) of Title 20 of the
United States Code.
( l ) A meeting of an individualized education program
team requested by a parent or guardian to review an individualized
education program pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 56343 shall
be held within 30 calendar days, not counting days between the pupil'
s regular school sessions, terms, or days of school vacation in
excess of five schooldays, from the date of receipt of the parent's
or guardian's written request, pursuant to Section 56343.5.
(m) If an individual with exceptional needs transfers from
district to district within the state, the following are applicable
pursuant to Section 56325:
(1) If the child has an individualized education program and
transfers into a district from a district not operating programs
under the same local plan in which he or she was last enrolled in a
special education program within the same academic year, the local
educational agency shall provide the pupil with a free appropriate
public education, including services comparable to those described in
the previously approved individualized education program, in
consultation with the parents or guardians, for a period not to
exceed 30 days, by which time the local educational agency shall
adopt the previously approved individualized education program or
shall develop, adopt, and implement a new individualized education
program that is consistent with federal and state law, pursuant to
paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 56325.
(2) If the child has an individualized education program and
transfers into a district from a district operating programs under
the same special education local plan area of the district in which
he or she was last enrolled in a special education program within the
same academic year, the new district shall continue, without delay,
to provide services comparable to those described in the existing
approved individualized education program, unless the parent and the
local educational agency agree to develop, adopt, and implement a new
individualized education program that is consistent with state and
federal law, pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section
56325.
(3) If the child has an individualized education program and
transfers from an educational agency located outside the state to a
district within the state within the same academic year, the local
educational agency shall provide the pupil with a free appropriate
public education, including services comparable to those described in
the previously approved individualized education program, in
consultation with the parents or guardians, until the local
educational agency conducts an assessment as specified in paragraph
(3) of subdivision (a) of Section 56325.
(4) In order to facilitate the transition for an individual with
exceptional needs described in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, the
new school in which the pupil enrolls shall take reasonable steps to
promptly obtain the pupil's records, as specified, pursuant to
subdivision (b) of Section 56325.
(n) The parent or guardian shall have the right and opportunity to
examine all school records of the child and to receive complete
copies within five business days after a request is made by the
parent or guardian, either orally or in writing, and before any
meeting regarding an individualized education program of his or her
child or any hearing or resolution session pursuant to Chapter 5
(commencing with Section 56500), in accordance with Section 56504 and
Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 49060) of Part 27.
(o) Upon receipt of a request from a local educational agency
where an individual with exceptional needs has enrolled, a former
educational agency shall send the pupil's special education records,
or a copy of those records, to the new local educational agency
within five working days, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 3024
of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations.
(p) The department shall do all of the following:
(1) Have a time limit of 60 calendar days after a complaint is
filed with the state educational agency to investigate the complaint.
(2) Give the complainant the opportunity to submit additional
information about the allegations in the complaint.
(3) Review all relevant information and make an independent
determination as to whether there is a violation of a requirement of
this part or Part B of the federal Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.).
(4) Issue a written decision pursuant to Section 300.152(a)(5) of
Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(q) A prehearing mediation conference shall be scheduled within 15
calendar days of receipt by the Superintendent of the request for
mediation, and shall be completed within 30 calendar days after the
request for mediation, unless both parties to the prehearing
mediation conference agree to extend the time for completing the
mediation, pursuant to Section 56500.3.
(r) Any request for a due process hearing arising from subdivision
(a) of Section 56501 shall be filed within two years from the date
the party initiating the request knew or had reason to know of facts
underlying the basis for the request, except that this timeline shall
not apply to a parent if the parent was prevented from requesting
the due process hearing, pursuant to subdivision (l) of Section
56505.
(s) The Superintendent shall ensure that, within 45 calendar days
after receipt of a written due process hearing request, the hearing
is immediately commenced and completed, including any mediation
requested at any point during the hearing process, and a final
administrative decision is rendered, pursuant to subdivision (f) of
Section 56502.
(t) If either party to a due process hearing intends to be
represented by an attorney in the due process hearing, notice of that
intent shall be given to the other party at least 10 calendar days
before the hearing, pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 56507.
(u) Any party to a due process hearing shall have the right to be
informed by the other parties to the hearing, at least 10 calendar
days before the hearing, as to what those parties believe are the
issues to be decided at the hearing and their proposed resolution of
those issues, pursuant to paragraph (6) of subdivision (e) of Section
56505.
(v) Any party to a due process hearing shall have the right to
receive from other parties to the hearing, at least five business
days before the hearing, a copy of all documents, including all
assessments completed and not completed by that date, and a list of
all witnesses and their general area of testimony that the parties
intend to present at the hearing, pursuant to paragraph (7) of
subdivision (e) of Section 56505.
(w) An appeal of a due process hearing decision shall be made
within 90 calendar days of receipt of the hearing decision, pursuant
to subdivision (k) of Section 56505.
(x) A complaint filed with the department shall allege a violation
of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) or a provision of this part that occurred
not more than one year before the date that the complaint is received
by the department, pursuant to Section 56500.2 and Section 300.153
(c) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(y) The timeline for the production of translated copies of
special education-related documents shall be as specified in Section
56348.
SEC. 2. Section 56341.5 of the Education Code is amended to read:
56341.5. (a) Each local educational agency convening a meeting of
the individualized education program team shall take steps to ensure
that no less than one of the parents or guardians of the individual
with exceptional needs are present at each individualized education
program team meeting or are afforded the opportunity to participate.
(b) Parents or guardians shall be notified of the individualized
education program team meeting early enough to ensure an opportunity
to attend.
(c) The individualized education program team meeting shall be
scheduled at a mutually agreed-upon time and place. The notice of the
meeting under subdivision (b) shall indicate the purpose, time, and
location of the meeting and who shall be in attendance. Parents or
guardians also shall be informed in the notice of the right, pursuant
to Section 300.322(b)(1)(ii) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, to bring other people to the meeting who have knowledge
or special expertise regarding the individual with exceptional needs,
and inform the parents of subdivision (i) of Section 56341 relating
to the participation of the infants and toddlers with disabilities
service coordinator under Subchapter III (commencing with Section
1431) of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. Sec. 1400 et seq.) at the initial individualized education
program team meeting for a child previously served under the
Subchapter III program.
(d) As part of the participation of an individual with exceptional
needs in the development of an individualized education program, as
required by federal law, the individual with exceptional needs shall
be allowed to provide confidential input to any representative of his
or her individualized education program team.
(e) For an individual with exceptional needs, beginning no later
than the effective date of the individualized education program in
effect when the individual reaches the age of 16 years, or younger if
determined appropriate by the individualized education program team,
the meeting notice also shall indicate that a purpose of the meeting
will be the consideration of the postsecondary goals and transition
services for the individual, pursuant to Section 56345.1 and Section
1414(d)(1)(A)(i)(VIII) of Title 20 of the United States Code, and the
meeting notice shall indicate that the individual with exceptional
needs is invited to attend. If the pupil does not attend the
individualized education program team meeting, the local educational
agency shall take steps to ensure that the preferences and interests
of the pupil are considered in accordance with Section 300.321(b)(2)
of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
(f) The local educational agency, to the extent appropriate, with
the consent of the parents or individual with exceptional needs who
has reached the age of majority, and in accordance with Section
300.321(b)(3) of Title 34 of the Code of Federal Regulations, shall
invite a representative of any participating agency that is likely to
be responsible for providing or paying for transition services.
(g) Pursuant to Section 300.322(c) of Title 34 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, if no parent or guardian can attend the meeting,
the local educational agency shall use other methods to ensure
parent or guardian participation, including individual or conference
telephone calls, and consistent with Section 300.328 of Title 34 of
the Code of Federal Regulations, the parent or guardian and the local
educational agency may agree to use alternative means of meeting
participation.
(h) A meeting may be conducted without a parent or guardian in
attendance if the local educational agency is unable to convince the
parent or guardian that he or she should attend. In this event, the
local educational agency shall maintain a record of its attempts to
arrange a mutually agreed-upon time and place, such as:
(1) Detailed records of telephone calls made or attempted and the
results of those calls.
(2) Copies of correspondence sent to the parents or guardians and
any responses received.
(3) Detailed records of visits made to the home or place of
employment of the parent or guardian and the results of those visits.
(i) The local educational agency shall take any action necessary
to ensure that the parent or guardian understands the proceedings at
a meeting, including arranging for an interpreter for parents or
guardians with deafness or whose native language is a language other
than English and providing translation services, as specified in
Section 56348.
(j) The local educational agency shall give the parent or guardian
a copy of the individualized education program, at no cost to the
parent or guardian, and as specified in Section 56348, if applicable.
SEC. 3. Section 56348 is added to the Education Code, to read:
56348. (a) For purposes of this part, a local educational agency
shall provide translation services for a parent, guardian, or
educational rights holder as follows:
(1) The local educational agency shall provide a pupil's parent,
guardian, or educational rights holder with a translated copy of the
pupil's completed individualized education program and any revisions
to the pupil's individualized education program in the parent's,
guardian's, or educational rights holder's primary language within 60
days of the individualized education program team meeting, if
requested by the pupil's parent, guardian, or educational rights
holder. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to abridge any
right granted to parents under state or federal law, including the
right to give or withhold consent, as specified in Sections 56021.1
and 56346, to part or all of an individualized education program
before receiving a translated copy of the individualized education
program.
(2) (A) The local educational agency shall provide a pupil's
parent, guardian, or educational rights holder with a translated copy
of any document specified in subparagraph (B) discussed at an
individualized education program team meeting in the parent's,
guardian's, or educational rights holder's primary language within
30 60 days of the individualized
education program team meeting, if requested by the pupil's parent,
guardian, or educational rights holder.
(B) (i) Documents relating to the pupil's present levels of
academic achievement and functional performance.
(ii) Documents relating to the pupil's right to a free and
appropriate public education.
(iii) Notes on items discussed at the individualized education
program team meeting.
(iv) Documents relating to the goals of the pupil.
(v) Progress reports of school staff who provide services in
accordance with the pupil's individualized education program.
(b) (1) The documents required to be translated pursuant to this
section shall be translated by a qualified translator who is
proficient in both the English language and the non-English language
to be used.
(2) For purposes of this section, "qualified translator" means a
translator who has met the testing or certification standards for
outside or contract translators, as proficient in the ability to
communicate commonly used terms and ideas between the English
language and the non-English language to be used and has knowledge of
basic translator practices, including, but not limited to,
confidentiality, neutrality, accuracy, completeness, and
transparency.
(c) The department shall revise its notice of procedural
safeguards, in English and in the primary languages for which the
department has developed translated versions, to inform parents of
their right to request the translation of documents as authorized by
this section.
(d) Nothing in this section is intended to affect any other state
or federal law requirement regarding the translation of
education-related documents.
SEC. 4. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.
