Senator Brownsberger submitted the following written testimony to the Joint Committee on Education.
TO: Joint Committee on Education
FROM: Senator William N. Brownsberger
RE: House Bill 344
DATE: September 18, 2013
I am writing in favor of H344, An Act to increase capacity to address the complex needs of students with autism.
This legislation will require the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide an endorsement in autism, such that the individualized education program (IEP) for every student with autism will include a special education teacher with an endorsement in autism. This will help to improve services provided to children with autism.
I urge the Committee to report this legislation favorably.
The Senate passage of the bill to assist persons with autism is wonderful news to parents and families who struggle daily with the issues involved. The scope of the bill and its sponsors’ sincere effort to help is both heart warming and encouraging
Many of us know families carrying this burden and I do feel that this is an important part of the social safety net.