Betts, Pavalock Applaud Bill of Rights for Students with Autism

HARTFORD —  State Reps. Whit Betts (R-78) and Cara Pavalock (R-77) said that parents of children who receive special education in Connecticut will now be entitled to a bill of rights outlining educational and transitional services available to them.

Pavalock and Betts joined their colleagues in the state House of Representatives in unanimously passing House Bill 6737, An Act Implementing The Recommendations Of The PRI Committee Concerning Transitional Services For Youth And Young Adults with Autism.

Betts, a co-sponsor of the bill, said, “The more resources we can provide for parents and families, the better, more informed decisions they can make in planning for their children’s future.  The bill of rights will ensure that parents and youth are receiving information on available services to help in that planning process.”

The State Board of Education will be required to draft this bill of rights for parents of children receiving special education services to guarantee that their rights are protected. “For families in Bristol and across Connecticut, this bill will ensure that youth with Autism will receive guidance and assistance with transition planning to ensure the most successful outcomes,” said Pavalock, co-sponsor of the bill and member of the legislature’s Program Review and Investigations (PRI) committee. “I’ve met with parents of children with autism and the recurring theme in those discussions is that they are trying desperately to seek the best and most effective services for their children, but are not aware of the many resources available to them, or how to plan for next steps. It is my hope that this bill will provide some of those parents with the guidance and information they need in order to make the best decisions and plans for their children.”

The right to request transition services for a child receiving special education who is between ages 18 and 21, the right to create a student success plan for the child, and the right of the child to receive realistic and specific post-graduation goals as part of his or her individualized education program will all be included.

The measure will also require the Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services to report annually to the Legislature on new initiatives and proposals, a description of unmet needs of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and information concerning the types of waiver services provided.

The bill has passed both chambers of the legislature and is heading to the governor’s desk.

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