Bill Text: MS HB945 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Occupational diploma; revise manner of issuance to increase employment opportunities for students with special needs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 4-0)

Status: (Failed) 2013-02-14 - Died On Calendar [HB945 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2013-HB945-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2013 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Crawford

House Bill 945

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-16-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS WHO FULLY MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF AND QUALIFY FOR AN OCCUPATIONAL DIPLOMA UPON GRADUATION; TO REQUIRE THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TO AUTOMATICALLY SUBMIT THE NAMES OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO THE LOCAL WIN JOB CENTER FOR ENTRY INTO A CENTRALIZED DATABASE SYSTEM THAT OPERATES AS A PLACEMENT COMPONENT FOR EMPLOYMENT WITH A LOCAL OR STATE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-16-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-16-11.  (1)  A student who has been properly classified, in accordance with rules established by the state board as "educable person with an intellectual disability," "trainable person with an intellectual disability," "deaf," "specific learning disabled," "physically handicapped whose ability to communicate orally or in writing is seriously impaired" or "emotionally handicapped" shall not be required to meet all requirements of Section 37-16-7, and shall, upon meeting all applicable requirements prescribed by the district school board, be awarded a special diploma in a form prescribed by the state board; however, such special graduation requirements prescribed by the district school board shall include minimum graduation requirements as prescribed by the state board.  Any such student who meets all special requirements of the district school board for his exceptionality, but is unable to meet the appropriate special state minimum requirements, shall be awarded a special certificate of completion in a form prescribed by the state board.  Nothing provided in this section, however, shall be construed to limit or restrict the right of an exceptional student solely to a special diploma.  Any such student shall, upon proper request, be afforded the opportunity to fully meet all requirements of Section 37-16-7 through the standard procedures established therein and thereby qualify for a standard diploma upon graduation.

     (2)  The State Board of Education shall develop and issue criteria for a Mississippi Occupational Diploma for students having a disability as defined by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year, any such student, upon proper request, shall be afforded the opportunity to fully meet such requirements and qualify for an occupational diploma upon graduation.  Any special needs student who fully meets the requirements of this section and qualifies for an occupational diploma upon graduation shall have his or her name automatically submitted by the school district to the local WIN Job Center for entry into a centralized database system that operates as a placement component for employment with a local or state governmental entity.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.


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