Substitute House Bill No. 7271
AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. Section 10-95 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The State Board of Education may establish and maintain a state-wide system of technical [high] education and career schools to be known as the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System. The [technical high school] system shall be [governed] advised by a board that shall consist of eleven members as follows: (1) Four executives of Connecticut-based employers who shall be nominated by the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission established pursuant to section 31-3h, and appointed by the Governor, (2) five members appointed by the State Board of Education, (3) the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, and (4) the Labor Commissioner. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson. The chairperson of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board shall serve as a nonvoting ex-officio member of the State Board of Education.
(b) The [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board shall offer full-time, and may offer part-time and evening, programs in vocational, technical, [and] technological and postsecondary education and training. The board may [make regulations controlling] recommend to the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System policies governing the admission of students to any such school in compliance with state and federal law. The Commissioner of Education, in accordance with policies established by the board, may appoint and remove members of the staffs of such schools and make rules for the management of and expend the funds provided for the support of such schools. [The board may enter into cooperative arrangements with local and regional boards of education, private occupational schools, institutions of higher education, job training agencies and employers in order to provide general education, vocational, technical or technological education or work experience. ]
(c) The board and the Commissioner of Education shall jointly recommend a candidate for superintendent of the technical high school system who shall be appointed as superintendent by the State Board of Education. Such superintendent shall be responsible for the operation and administration of the technical high school system. The board may enter into cooperative arrangements with local and regional boards of education, private occupational schools, institutions of higher education, job training agencies and employers in order to provide general education, vocational, technical, technological or postsecondary education or work experience. The superintendent, in conjunction with the commissioner, may arrange for training to be provided to the board at such times, and on such matters, as are deemed appropriate to assist the board in the conduct of its business.
(d) If the New England Association of Schools and Colleges places a technical [high] education and career school on probation or otherwise notifies the superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System that a technical [high] education and career school is at risk of losing its accreditation, the Commissioner of Education, on behalf of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board, shall notify the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education of such placement or problems relating to accreditation.
(e) The [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board shall establish specific achievement goals for students at the technical [high] education and career schools at each grade level. The board shall measure the performance of each technical [high] education and career school and shall identify a set of quantifiable measures to be used. The measures shall include factors such as the performance of students in grade ten or eleven on the mastery examination, under section 10-14n, trade-related assessment tests, dropout rates and graduation rates.
(f) The Technical Education and Career System board may accept gifts, grants and donations on behalf of the system, including, but not limited to, in-kind donations, designated for the purchase of equipment or materials, the hiring of teachers at a technical education and career school or the acquisition of real property and the construction of facilities.
Sec. 2. Section 10-95 of the general statutes, as amended by section 1 of this act, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
[(a) The State Board of Education may establish and maintain] There is established a state-wide system of technical education and career schools to be known as the Technical Education and Career System. [The system shall be advised by a board that shall consist of eleven members as follows: (1) Four executives of Connecticut-based employers who shall be nominated by the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission established pursuant to section 31-3h, and appointed by the Governor, (2) five members appointed by the State Board of Education, (3) the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, and (4) the Labor Commissioner. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson. The chairperson of the Technical Education and Career System board shall serve as a nonvoting ex-officio member of the State Board of Education. ]
[(b)] The Technical Education and Career System [board] shall offer full-time, and may offer part-time and evening, programs in vocational, technical, technological and postsecondary education and training. [The board may adopt policies controlling the admission of students to any such school. The Commissioner of Education, in accordance with policies established by the board, may appoint and remove members of the staffs of such schools and make rules for the management of and expend the funds provided for the support of such schools.
(c) The board and the Commissioner of Education shall jointly recommend a candidate for superintendent of the technical high school system who shall be appointed as superintendent by the State Board of Education. Such superintendent shall be responsible for the operation and administration of the technical high school system. The board may enter into cooperative arrangements with local and regional boards of education, private occupational schools, institutions of higher education, job training agencies and employers in order to provide general education, vocational, technical, technological or postsecondary education or work experience.
(d) The Technical Education and Career System board shall establish specific achievement goals for students at the technical education and career schools at each grade level. The board shall measure the performance of each technical education and career school and shall identify a set of quantifiable measures to be used. The measures shall include factors such as the performance of students in grade ten or eleven on the mastery examination, under section 10-14n, trade-related assessment tests, dropout rates and graduation rates.
(e) The Technical Education and Career System board may accept gifts, grants and donations on behalf of the system, including, but not limited to, in-kind donations, designated for the purchase of equipment or materials, the hiring of teachers at a technical education and career school or the acquisition of real property and the construction of facilities. ]
Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2017) (a) (1) On or after July 1, 2017, until June 30, 2020, the Technical Education and Career System board may recommend a candidate for superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System to the Commissioner of Education. The commissioner may hire or reject any candidate for superintendent recommended by the board. If the commissioner rejects a candidate for superintendent, the board shall recommend another candidate for superintendent to the commissioner. The term of office of the superintendent hired under this subdivision shall expire on June 30, 2020.
(2) On and after July 1, 2020, the Technical Education and Career System board shall recommend a candidate for superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System to the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Career System. The executive director may hire or reject any candidate for superintendent recommended by the board. If the executive director rejects a candidate for superintendent, the board shall recommend another candidate for superintendent to the executive director. The term of office of the superintendent hired under this subdivision shall be three years and may be extended for no more than three years at any one time.
(b) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System shall be responsible for the operation and administration of the technical education and career schools and all other matters relating to vocational, technical, technological and postsecondary education in the system.
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) (a) The Technical Education and Career System shall be under the direction of the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Career System, whose appointment shall be made by the Governor. Such appointment shall be in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, of the general statutes. The Executive Director of the Technical Education and Career System shall be responsible for the operation and administration and the financial accountability and oversight of the Technical Education and Career System in matters relating to the central office, system-wide management and other noneducational matters. The executive director shall organize the Technical Education and Career System into such bureaus, divisions and other units as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the system, and may, from time to time, create, abolish, transfer or consolidate within the system any bureau, division or other unit as may be necessary for the efficient conduct of the business of the system. The executive director may appoint, and may prescribe the duties of any subordinates, agents and employees as he or she finds necessary in the conduct of the system.
(b) The executive director shall review and approve all contracts for the Technical Education and Career System.
(c) The executive director may enter into cooperative arrangements with local and regional boards of education, private occupational schools, institutions of higher education, job training agencies and employers in order to provide (1) general education, (2) vocational, technical, technological or postsecondary education, and (3) work experience.
(d) The executive director may, upon approval of the board, accept gifts, grants and donations on behalf of the system, including, but not limited to, in-kind donations, designated for the purchase of equipment or materials, the hiring of teachers at a technical education and career school or the acquisition of real property and the construction of facilities.
(e) The executive director shall establish a master schedule for the Technical Education and Career System and may amend such master schedule from time to time.
(f) The executive director shall communicate directly with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management when requesting the creation or filling of staff positions included in the operating budget for the Technical Education and Career System. When reviewing such requests, priority shall be given to any request for instructional staff, as identified in the statement of staffing needs submitted by the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System pursuant to section 10-99g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and every effort shall be made to avoid interruption to instructional time during such review.
(g) If the New England Association of Schools and Colleges places a technical education and career school on probation or otherwise notifies the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System that a technical education and career school is at risk of losing its accreditation, the executive director shall notify the Commissioner of Education and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education of such placement or problems relating to accreditation.
Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) (a) The Technical Education and Career System shall be advised by a Technical Education and Career System board. The board shall consist of eleven members and shall include at least the following, (1) two members with experience in manufacturing or a trade offered by the Technical Education and Career System, or who are alumni of the system, (2) two members who are executives of Connecticut-based employers and who shall be nominated by the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, established pursuant to section 31-3h of the general statutes. The Commissioners of Education and Economic and Community Development and the Labor Commissioner, or their respective designees, shall serve as ex-officio members of the board. Members of the board shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, in accordance with the provisions of section 4-7 of the general statutes. Any vacancy shall be filled in the manner provided in section 4-19 of the general statutes. The Governor shall appoint the chairperson.
(b) The board shall advise the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System and the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Career System on matters relating to vocational, technical, technological and postsecondary education and training. The board may create any advisory boards or appoint any committees as it deems necessary for the efficient conduct of its business. The executive director, in conjunction with the superintendent, may arrange for training to be provided to the board at such times, and on such matters, as are deemed appropriate to assist the board in the conduct of its business.
(c) The board may recommend to the executive director and superintendent policies to attract and retain students who will pursue careers that meet workforce needs and govern the admission of students to any technical education and career school in compliance with state and federal law.
(d) The board shall establish specific achievement goals for students at the technical education and career schools at each grade level. The board shall measure the performance of each technical education and career school and shall identify a set of quantifiable measures to be used. The measures shall include factors such as the performance of students in grade ten or eleven on the mastery examination, under section 10-14n of the general statutes, trade-related assessment tests, dropout rates and graduation rates.
Sec. 6. Section 4-5 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head" means Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, Commissioner of Administrative Services, Commissioner on Aging, Commissioner of Revenue Services, Banking Commissioner, Commissioner of Children and Families, Commissioner of Consumer Protection, Commissioner of Correction, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, State Board of Education, Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public Health, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Commissioner of Social Services, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services, the Commissioner of Early Childhood, [and] the executive director of the Office of Military Affairs and the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Career System. As used in sections 4-6 and 4-7, "department head" also means the Commissioner of Education.
Sec. 7. Section 4-38c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
There shall be within the executive branch of state government the following departments: Office of Policy and Management, Department of Administrative Services, Department on Aging, Department of Revenue Services, Department of Banking, Department of Agriculture, Department of Children and Families, Department of Consumer Protection, Department of Correction, Department of Economic and Community Development, State Board of Education, Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, Board of Regents for Higher Education, Insurance Department, Labor Department, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Department of Developmental Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles, [and] Department of Veterans Affairs and the Technical Education and Career System.
Sec. 8. Section 10-99f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) For the fiscal [year] years ending June 30, 2011, [and each fiscal year thereafter] to June 30, 2019, inclusive, the budget for the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System shall (1) be a separate budgeted agency from the Department of Education, and (2) include a separate (A) educational account for educational and school-based accounts and expenditures, and (B) noneducational account.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor, when considering reductions in allotment requisitions or allotments in force, shall give priority to the educational needs of the system and instructional staffing needs, as identified in the statement of staffing needs submitted by the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System pursuant to section 10-99g, as amended by this act, and every effort shall be made to avoid impairment of the system's educational mission and interruption to instructional time during such consideration.
Sec. 9. Section 10-99f of the general statutes, as amended by section 8 of this act, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
(a) For the fiscal [years ending June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2019, inclusive] year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year thereafter, the budget for the Technical Education and Career System shall (1) be a separate budgeted agency, [from the Department of Education,] and (2) include a separate (A) educational account for educational and school-based accounts and expenditures, and (B) noneducational account.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor, when considering reductions in allotment requisitions or allotments in force, shall give priority to the educational needs of the system and instructional staffing needs, as identified in the statement of staffing needs submitted by the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System pursuant to section 10-99g, as amended by this act, and every effort shall be made to avoid impairment of the system's educational mission and interruption to instructional time during such consideration.
Sec. 10. Section 10-99g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2019):
(a) (1) [Each] For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year thereafter, each technical [high] education and career school shall prepare a proposed [operating] school budget for the next succeeding school year beginning July first and submit such proposed [operating] school budget to the superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System. Such proposed [operating] school budget shall include a statement of the staffing needs for such technical [high] education and career school. The superintendent shall collect, review and use the proposed [operating] school budget for each technical [high] education and career school to guide the preparation of a proposed [operating] school budget for the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System.
(2) [The superintendent of the technical high school system shall submit a proposed operating budget for the technical high school system to the technical high school system board. Such proposed operating budget shall include a statement of the staffing needs for the technical high school system. The board shall review, amend and approve such proposed operating budget and submit the approved budget to the State Board of Education. The state board shall review, but shall not amend, and submit such approved operating budget, with any comments or recommendations for revisions, to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management in accordance with the provisions of section 4-77. The superintendent shall submit a copy of (A) the proposed operating budgets for each technical high school, including the statement of the staffing needs for each technical high school, (B) the proposed operating budget for the technical high school system, including the statement of the staffing needs for the technical high school system, and (C) the approved operating budget for the technical high school system to the Office of Policy and Management and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. The superintendent shall communicate directly with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management regarding the creation or filling of staff positions included in the approved operating budget for the technical high school system. ] The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System shall prepare and submit the education budget for the Technical Education and Career System to the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Career System. The education budget shall include educational and school-based accounts and expenditures, the school budget for each technical education and career school, and a statement of the staffing needs for the technical education and career schools. The executive director shall review the education budget and include the education budget as part of the operating budget for the Technical Education and Career System. The executive director shall report any financial inconsistencies or irregularities discovered during the course of such review to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the Commissioner of Administrative Services and the Auditors of Public Accounts. For purposes of this section and section 10-99f, as amended by this act, "educational and school-based accounts and expenditures" means funds used to (A) support instruction, programming and curriculum within the Technical Education and Career System, and (B) purchase supplies and equipment for instruction at individual technical education and career schools.
(3) The executive director shall prepare the central office budget for the Technical Education and Career System. Such central office budget shall include noneducational and central office accounts and expenditures and a statement of the staffing needs for the central office of the system. The executive director shall include the central office budget as part of the operating budget for the Technical Education and Career System.
(4) The executive director shall prepare and submit the operating budget of the Technical Education and Career System to the Office of Policy and Management in accordance with the provisions of section 4-77.
(5) The executive director shall annually submit a copy of (A) an itemized school budget for each technical education and career school, including the statement of the staffing needs for each technical education and career school, (B) the education budget, (C) the central office budget, including the statement of the staffing needs for the system, and (D) the operating budget for the Technical Education and Career System to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.
(b) The [superintendent of the technical high school system] executive director shall semiannually submit the operating budget and expenses for each individual technical [high] education and career school, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the director of the legislative Office of Fiscal Analysis and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education.
(c) (1) The superintendent [of the technical high school system] shall make available and update on the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System Internet web site and the Internet web site of each technical [high] education and career school the operating budget for the current school year of each individual technical [high] education and career school.
(2) The executive director shall make available and update on the Technical Education and Career System Internet web site the operating budget for the current school year of the central office of the Technical Education and Career System and the operating budget for the Technical Education and Career System.
Sec. 11. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 10-95h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(2) The superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System shall submit the following to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, higher education and employment advancement and labor: (A) Information ensuring that the curriculum of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System is incorporating those workforce skills that will be needed for the next thirty years, as identified by the Labor Commissioner in subdivision (1) of this subsection, into the technical [high] education and career schools; (B) information regarding the employment status of students who graduate from or complete an approved program of study at the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, including, but not limited to: (i) Demographics such as age and gender, (ii) course and program enrollment and completion, (iii) employment status, and (iv) wages prior to enrolling and after graduating; (C) an assessment of the adequacy of the resources available to the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System as the system develops and refines programs to meet existing and emerging workforce needs; (D) recommendations to the technical high school system board to carry out the provisions of subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of this subdivision; [and] (E) information regarding staffing at each technical [high] education and career school for the current academic year; and (F) information regarding the transition process of the Technical Education and Career System as an independent agency, including, but not limited to, the actions taken by the Technical Education and Career System board and the superintendent to create a budget process and maintain programmatic consistency for students enrolled in the technical education and career system. The superintendent [of the technical high school system] shall collaborate with the Labor Commissioner to obtain information as needed to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
Sec. 12. (Effective from passage) The Department of Education shall conduct a review of the admissions policy of the Technical Education and Career System as it relates to the enrollment of students with disabilities and students who are receiving or eligible to receive special education and related services. Such review shall include, but need not be limited to, consideration of (1) applicable principles of state and federal law, (2) the purposes and public character of the Technical Education and Career System, and (3) enrollment data of students receiving special education and related services in the Technical Education and Career System compared to state-wide and district averages. Not later than January 15, 2018, the department shall submit such review, including any recommendations regarding modifications to the admissions policy or to any applicable statute or regulation, to the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System, the Technical Education and Career System board, and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 13. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2017) For the school year commencing July 1, 2018, and each school year thereafter, the Department of Education shall develop, and update as necessary, uniform standards and curriculum for all career technical education programs offered by local or regional boards of education. The department may adopt existing uniform standards and curriculum when developing such uniform standards and curriculum under this section. Such uniform standards and curriculum shall be aligned with professional certification requirements. The department shall make available, and provide technical assistance relating to the implementation of, such standards and curriculum to any local or regional board of education that offers a career technical education program.
Sec. 14. (Effective from passage) The Department of Education shall, within available appropriations, conduct an evaluation of any existing standards relating to career technical education used by the Technical Education and Career System. The evaluation shall examine whether such standards are (1) aligned with professional certification requirements, and (2) uniform across the Technical Education and Career System. Not later than October 1, 2018, the department shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2017) The superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System shall consult with each (1) regional community-technical college, and (2) local or regional board of education (A) for a town in which a technical education and career school is located, and (B) that offers any career technical education programs, for the purpose of establishing partnerships, reducing redundancies and consolidating programmatic offerings.
Sec. 16. (Effective July 1, 2017) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the State Board of Education shall hire a consultant to (1) assist the Technical Education and Career System board with the development of a transition plan for the Technical Education and Career System, and (2) identify and provide recommendations concerning which services could be provided more efficiently through or in conjunction with another local or regional board of education, municipality or state agency by means of a memorandum of understanding with the Technical Education and Career System. Not later than January 1, 2019, the state board shall submit a report on the transition plan and such identified services and any recommendations for legislation necessary to implement such transition plan and such identified services to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Sec. 17. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2017) (a) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019, the superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System shall create and maintain a list that includes an inventory of all technical and vocational equipment, supplies and materials purchased or obtained and used in the provision of career technical education in each technical education and career school and across the Technical Education and Career System. The board shall consult such list (1) during the preparation of the budget for the Technical Education and Career System, pursuant to section 10-99g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, (2) prior to purchasing or obtaining any new equipment, supplies or materials, and (3) for the purpose of sharing equipment, supplies and materials among technical education and career schools.
(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Executive Director of the Technical Education and Career System shall create and maintain a list that includes an inventory of all technical and vocational equipment, supplies and materials purchased or obtained and used in the provision of career technical education in each technical education and career school and across the Technical Education and Career System. The executive director shall consult such list (1) during the preparation of the budget for the Technical Education and Career System, pursuant to section 10-99g of the general statutes, as amended by this act, (2) prior to purchasing or obtaining any new equipment, supplies or materials, and (3) for the purpose of sharing equipment, supplies and materials among technical education and career schools.
Sec. 18. (Effective July 1, 2017) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019, the Department of Education shall (1) provide training to those persons employed by the department within the Technical Education and Career System who will be responsible for performing central office and administrative functions for the system on and after July 1, 2019, and (2) identify those persons within the system who can be trained to perform multiple functions or responsibilities for the system.
Sec. 19. Subsection (a) of section 10-4 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Said board shall have general supervision and control of the educational interests of the state, which interests shall include preschool, elementary and secondary education, special education, vocational education and adult education; shall provide leadership and otherwise promote the improvement of education in the state, including research, planning and evaluation and services relating to the provision and use of educational technology, including telecommunications, by school districts; shall prepare such courses of study and publish such curriculum guides including recommendations for textbooks, materials, instructional technological resources and other teaching aids as it determines are necessary to assist school districts to carry out the duties prescribed by law; shall conduct workshops and related activities, including programs of intergroup relations training, to assist teachers in making effective use of such curriculum materials and in improving their proficiency in meeting the diverse needs and interests of pupils; shall keep informed as to the condition, progress and needs of the schools in the state; [and] shall develop or cause to be developed evaluation and assessment programs designed to measure objectively the adequacy and efficacy of the educational programs offered by public schools and shall selectively conduct such assessment programs annually and report, pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, on an annual basis; and shall establish and keep an inventory account, in accordance with the provisions of section 4-36, secure such inventory to prevent theft or loss and establish controls over the disposal of such inventory.
Sec. 20. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2019) In accomplishment of their duties as set forth in section 2-90 of the general statutes, the Auditors of Public Accounts shall, as often as they deem necessary, examine the records and accounts of the Technical Education and Career System. Their findings shall be reported as required in section 2-90 of the general statutes.
Sec. 21. Subdivision (20) of section 1-79 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(20) "State agency" means any office, department, board, council, commission, institution, constituent unit of the state system of higher education, technical [high] education and career school or other agency in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of state government.
Sec. 22. Subsection (i) of section 1-84 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(i) (1) No public official or state employee or member of the official or employee's immediate family or a business with which he is associated shall enter into any contract with the state, valued at one hundred dollars or more, other than a contract (A) of employment as a state employee, (B) with the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System for students enrolled in a school in the system to perform services in conjunction with vocational, technical, [or] technological or postsecondary education and training any such student is receiving at a school in the system, subject to the review process under subdivision (2) of this subsection, (C) with a public institution of higher education to support a collaboration with such institution to develop and commercialize any invention or discovery, or (D) pursuant to a court appointment, unless the contract has been awarded through an open and public process, including prior public offer and subsequent public disclosure of all proposals considered and the contract awarded. In no event shall an executive head of an agency, as defined in section 4-166, including a commissioner of a department, or an executive head of a quasi-public agency, as defined in section 1-79, as amended by this act, or the executive head's immediate family or a business with which he is associated enter into any contract with that agency or quasi-public agency. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as applying to any public official who is appointed as a member of the executive branch or as a member or director of a quasi-public agency and who receives no compensation other than per diem payments or reimbursement for actual or necessary expenses, or both, incurred in the performance of the public official's duties unless such public official has authority or control over the subject matter of the contract. Any contract made in violation of this subsection shall be voidable by a court of competent jurisdiction if the suit is commenced not later than one hundred eighty days after the making of the contract.
(2) The superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System shall establish an open and transparent process to review any contract entered into under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.
Sec. 23. Section 1-84d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, for purposes of this chapter, no foundation or alumni association established for the benefit of a constituent unit of public higher education or technical [high] education and career school shall be deemed to be doing business with or seeking to do business with such constituent unit of public higher education or technical [high] education and career school.
Sec. 24. Subdivision (23) of section 1-91 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(23) "State agency" means any office, department, board, council, commission, institution, constituent unit of the state system of higher education, technical [high] education and career school or other agency in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of state government.
Sec. 25. Subsection (b) of section 3-20f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) Notwithstanding section 3-20, to the extent there is a sufficient balance of bonds approved by the General Assembly pursuant to any bond act for the purposes of general maintenance and trade and capital equipment for any school in the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, but not allocated by the State Bond Commission, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of at least two million dollars of such bonds for such maintenance and equipment at each of said commission's regularly scheduled meetings occurring in August and February of each year. If no meeting is held in said months, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of such bonds at its next regularly scheduled meeting. To the extent there is a sufficient balance of bonds so approved by the General Assembly and there are pending general maintenance and trade and capital equipment transactions in excess of two million dollars, the [chairperson of the technical high school system board] superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System may request, and the State Bond Commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of, bonds in excess of two million dollars. To the extent the balance of bonds so approved by the General Assembly is below two million dollars at the time of said commission's August or February meeting, said commission shall vote on whether to authorize the issuance of the remaining balance of such bonds.
Sec. 26. Section 4-29 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Any state appropriation or the proceeds of any bond issue authorized by the General Assembly for the purpose of erecting a building or buildings for the use of any state institution, any institution under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System enumerated in section 10a-87, any [state technical high school] technical education and career school or The University of Connecticut, for the development of aviation and for other purposes, may be used in whole or in part as the state's share of the cost of the work involved in conjunction with any funds made available by any branch of the federal government if the Governor so determines and directs.
Sec. 27. Subsections (f) and (g) of section 4-67g of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(f) Each state agency shall request and obtain the written approval of the secretary or his or her designee prior to any (1) change in ownership of state real property, (2) change in use of state real property, (3) use of state real property by an entity other than a state agency, or (4) use of state real property by a state agency other than the state agency with custody and control over such state real property. For purposes of this subsection, "state agency" does not include a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, a technical [high] education and career school or an agency in the legislative or judicial branch of state government.
(g) Except as otherwise provided, for the purposes of this section, "state real property" means any improved or unimproved real property owned by a state agency, and "state agency" means any office, department, board, council, commission, institution, constituent unit of the state system of higher education, technical [high] education and career school or other agency in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of state government.
Sec. 28. Subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 4-67n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(3) "State agency" means any office, department, board, council, commission, institution, constituent unit of the state system of higher education, technical [high] education and career school or other agency in the executive, legislative or judicial branch of state government.
Sec. 29. Section 4-124z of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Labor Commissioner, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, working with the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, the Commissioners of Education and Social Services, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, in consultation with the superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System and one member of industry representing each of the economic clusters identified by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development pursuant to section 32-1m shall (1) review, evaluate and, as necessary, recommend improvements for certification and degree programs offered by the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System and the community-technical college system to ensure that such programs meet the employment needs of business and industry, and (2) develop strategies to strengthen the linkage between skill standards for education and training and the employment needs of business and industry.
(b) Not later than January 1, 2002, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Education shall report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, commerce, labor and higher education and employment advancement on (1) the implementation of any recommended programs or strategies within the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System or the community-technical college system to strengthen the linkage between technical [high] education and career school and community-technical college certification and degree programs and the employment needs of business and industry, and (2) any certification or degree programs offered by technical [high] education and career schools or community-technical colleges that do not meet current industry standards.
Sec. 30. Subsection (a) of section 4-124ff of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) There is established, within available appropriations and in consultation with the council established under subsection (b) of this section, a competitive Innovation Challenge Grant program to promote and encourage partnerships and collaborations involving technology-based business and industry with institutions of higher education and technical [high] education and career schools for the development of educational programs in emerging and interdisciplinary technology fields and to address related issues.
Sec. 31. Section 4-124gg of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Not later than October 1, 2012, the Labor Commissioner, with the assistance of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness and in consultation with [the chairperson of the technical high school system board and] the superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, shall create an integrated system of state-wide industry advisory committees for each career cluster offered as part of the [technical high school] Technical Education and Career System and regional community-technical college [systems] system. Said committees shall include industry representatives of the specific career cluster. Each committee for a career cluster shall, with support from the Labor Department, [technical high school and] Technical Education and Career System, regional community-technical college [systems] system and the Department of Education, establish specific skills standards, corresponding curriculum and a career ladder for the cluster which shall be implemented as part of the schools' core curriculum.
Sec. 32. Subsection (a) of section 4-124hh of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall, within available appropriations, establish a grant program to provide a flexible source of funding for the creation and generation of talent in institutions of higher education and, with appropriate connections to technical [high] education and career schools and other secondary schools, for student outreach and development. Grants pursuant to this subsection shall be awarded to institutions of higher education and may be used to:
(1) Upgrade instructional laboratories to meet specific industry-standard laboratory and instrumentation skill requirements;
(2) Develop new curriculum and certificate and degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels, tied to industry identified needs;
(3) Develop seamlessly articulated career development programs in workforce shortage areas forecasted pursuant to subdivision (10) of subsection (b) of section 4-124w in collaboration with technical [high] education and career schools and other secondary schools and institutions of higher education;
(4) Support undergraduate and graduate student research projects and experimental learning activities; and
(5) Establish a nanotechnology [post-secondary] postsecondary education program and clearinghouse for curriculum development, scholarships and student outreach.
Sec. 33. Subsection (b) of section 4a-11a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be deposited in the Capital Equipment Purchase Fund created by section 4a-9. Any such proceeds shall be allocated to the Department of Education for [state technical high schools] technical education and career schools and satellites of such schools.
Sec. 34. Section 4d-83 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Department of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall provide (1) technical assistance to local and regional boards of education and technical [high] education and career schools to expand their educational technology capabilities, including, but not limited to, wiring, Internet connectivity and technical support, and (2) opportunities for such boards of education and schools to purchase under state-wide contracts.
Sec. 35. Subsection (b) of section 5-275 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) The board shall determine the appropriateness of a unit which shall be the public employer unit or a subdivision thereof. In determining the appropriateness of the unit, the board shall: (1) Take into consideration, but shall not limit consideration to, the following: (A) Public employees must have an identifiable community of interest, and (B) the effects of overfragmentation; (2) not decide that any unit is appropriate if (A) such unit includes both professional and nonprofessional employees, unless a majority of such professional employees vote for inclusion in such unit, or (B) such unit includes both Department of Correction employees at or above the level of lieutenant and Department of Correction employees below the level of lieutenant; (3) take into consideration that when the state is the employer, it will be bargaining on a state-wide basis unless issues involve working conditions peculiar to a given governmental employment locale; (4) permit the faculties of (A) The University of Connecticut, (B) the Connecticut State University System, and (C) the [state technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System to each comprise a separate unit, which in each case shall have the right to bargain collectively with their respective boards of trustees or their designated representatives; and (5) permit the community college faculty and the technical college faculty as they existed prior to July 1, 1992, to continue to comprise separate units, which in each case shall have the right to bargain collectively with its board of trustees or its designated representative. Nonfaculty professional staff of the above institutions may by mutual agreement be included in such bargaining units, or they may form a separate bargaining unit of their own. This section shall not be deemed to prohibit multiunit bargaining.
Sec. 36. Section 8-265pp of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority shall develop and administer a program of mortgage assistance to certified teachers (1) employed by priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p, (2) employed by transitional school districts pursuant to section 10-263c, (3) employed by [technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System at a technical education and career school located in such priority or transitional school districts, or (4) who teach in a subject matter shortage area pursuant to section 10-8b. Such assistance shall be available to eligible teachers for the purchase of a house as their principal residence, provided, in the case of a teacher employed by a priority or a transitional school district, or by [a technical high school] the Technical Education and Career System at a technical education and career school located in a priority or transitional school district, the house is located in such district. In making mortgage assistance available under the program, the authority shall utilize down payment assistance or any other appropriate housing subsidies. The terms of any mortgage assistance shall allow the mortgagee to realize a reasonable portion of the equity gain upon sale of the mortgaged property.
Sec. 37. Section 10-1 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) (1) Prior to July 1, 1998, the State Board of Education shall consist of nine members. On and after July 1, 1998, but prior to July 1, 2010, the State Board of Education shall consist of eleven members, two of whom shall be nonvoting student members.
(2) On and after July 1, 2010, but prior to April 1, 2011, the State Board of Education shall consist of thirteen members, at least two of whom shall have experience in manufacturing or a trade offered at the regional vocational-technical schools or be alumni of or have served as educators at a regional vocational-technical school and two of whom shall be nonvoting student members. Only those members with experience in manufacturing or a trade offered at the regional vocational-technical schools or are alumni of or have served as educators at a regional vocational-technical school shall be eligible to serve as the chairperson for the regional vocational-technical school subcommittee of the board.
(3) On and after April 1, 2011, but prior to July 1, 2012, the State Board of Education shall consist of thirteen members, (A) at least two of whom shall have experience in manufacturing or a trade offered at the regional vocational-technical schools or be alumni of or have served as educators at a regional vocational-technical school, (B) at least one of whom shall have experience in agriculture or be an alumni of or have served as an educator at a regional agricultural science and technology education center, and (C) two of whom shall be nonvoting student members. Only those members described in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision shall be eligible to serve as the chairperson for the regional vocational-technical school subcommittee of the board.
(4) On and after July 1, 2012, the State Board of Education shall consist of fourteen members, (A) at least two of whom shall have experience in manufacturing or a trade offered at the technical [high] education and career schools or be alumni of or have served as educators at a technical [high] education and career school, (B) at least one of whom shall have experience in agriculture or be an alumni of or have served as an educator at a regional agricultural science and technology education center, and (C) two of whom shall be nonvoting student members.
(b) The Governor shall appoint, with the advice and consent of the General Assembly, the members of said board, provided each student member (1) is on the list submitted to the Governor pursuant to section 10-2a, (2) is enrolled in a public high school in the state, (3) has completed eleventh grade prior to the commencement of his term, (4) has at least a B plus average, and (5) provides at least three references from teachers in the school the student member is attending. The nonstudent members shall serve for terms of four years commencing on March first in the year of their appointment. The student members shall serve for terms of one year commencing on July first in the year of their appointment. The president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities and the [chairperson of the technical high school system board] superintendent of the Technical Education and Career System shall serve as ex-officio members without a vote. Any vacancy in said State Board of Education shall be filled in the manner provided in section 4-19.
Sec. 38. Subsection (a) of section 10-4h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Department of Education, in consultation with the Commission for Educational Technology, shall establish a competitive grant program, within the limit of the bond authorization for purposes of this section, to assist (1) local and regional school districts, (2) regional educational service centers, (3) cooperative arrangements among one or more boards of education, and (4) endowed academies approved pursuant to section 10-34 that are eligible for school building project grants pursuant to chapter 173, to upgrade or install wiring, including electrical wiring, cable or other distribution systems and infrastructure improvements to support telecommunications and other information transmission equipment to be used for educational purposes, provided the department may expend up to two per cent of such bond authorization for such purposes for the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System.
Sec. 39. Section 10-4r of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
On or before July 1, 2011, the State Board of Education shall develop recommendations regarding the definition of region for purposes of attendance in the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System. The board shall submit such recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education.
Sec. 40. Subsection (b) of section 10-9 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the State Board of Education may receive in the name of the state any money or property given or bequeathed to the State Board of Education or to any of the technical [high] education and career schools. Said board shall transfer any such money to the State Treasurer who shall invest the money in accordance with the provisions of section 3-31a. Said board may use any such property for educational purposes.
Sec. 41. Section 10-13 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The State Board of Education may appoint one or more school physicians for the [state technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System and shall provide such physicians with suitable facilities for the performance of such duties as it prescribes.
Sec. 42. Section 10-15d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1987, and annually thereafter, all provisions of the general statutes concerning education, except those provisions relating to the eligibility for noncompetitive state aid unless otherwise provided, shall apply to the operation of the State of Connecticut-Unified School District #2 established pursuant to section 17a-37 within the Department of Children and Families and State of Connecticut-Unified School District #1 established pursuant to section 18-99a within the Department of Correction. All provisions of the general statutes concerning education, except those provisions relating to the eligibility for state aid unless otherwise provided, shall apply to the operation of the [technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System, established pursuant to the provisions of section 10-95, as amended by this act. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, where such a school or school district shows that a particular statutory provision should not apply, the commissioner may grant an exception.
Sec. 43. Section 10-19d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Department of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, a high school mathematics and science challenge pilot program, which uses performance results on the mathematics and science components of the mastery examination, given in accordance with the provisions of section 10-14n, for students in grade ten or eleven to design and implement mathematics and science curricula for students in the eleventh grade in the public high schools, including technical [high] education and career schools. For purposes of the program, the Commissioner of Education may award grants to local and regional boards of education and technical [high] education and career schools for demonstration projects. Local and regional boards of education and technical [high] education and career schools seeking to participate in the pilot program shall apply to the department at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes. The commissioner shall select a diverse group of participants based on the population, geographic location and economic characteristics of the school district or technical [high] education and career school. Local and regional boards of education and technical [high] education and career schools awarded grants under the program shall use grant funds for expenses for developing and implementing an instructional program in the mathematics and science subject areas targeting students who did not meet or exceed the level of proficiency in mathematics or science on such mastery examination, and conduct an evaluation of the program, including an analysis of student testing performance before and after participation in the program.
Sec. 44. Section 10-19e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Department of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, a "Future Scholars" pilot matching grant program for public schools participating in externally funded programs that provide supplemental mathematics and science programming and instruction to students in grades eight to ten, inclusive, who scored above the level of basic and below the level of proficiency on the mastery examinations given during the previous year in accordance with the provisions of section 10-14n. The Commissioner of Education, for purposes of the program, may award grants to local and regional boards of education and technical [high] education and career schools for demonstration projects. Boards of education and technical [high] education and career schools seeking to participate in the pilot program shall apply to the department at such time and in such form as the commissioner prescribes. The commissioner shall select participants based on the quality of proposed programs and evidence of commitment by businesses supporting the project. Local and regional boards of education and technical [high] education and career schools awarded grants under the program shall use grant funds for development and implementation of an interdisciplinary mathematics, science and technology curriculum, including the establishment and staffing of mathematics and science laboratories, in middle and high schools that have demonstrated support and involvement by local or state-wide mathematics, science or technology intensive businesses in the state.
Sec. 45. Subsection (a) of section 10-20a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Local and regional boards of education, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, postsecondary institutions and regional educational service centers, may (1) in consultation with regional workforce development boards established pursuant to section 31-3k, as amended by this act, local employers, labor organizations and community-based organizations establish career pathway programs leading to a Connecticut career certificate in accordance with this section, and (2) enroll students in such programs based on entry criteria determined by the establishing agency. Such programs shall be approved by the Commissioner of Education and the Labor Commissioner. Applications for program approval shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Education in such form and at such time as the commissioner prescribes. All programs leading to a Connecticut career certificate shall provide equal access for all students and necessary accommodations and support for students with disabilities.
Sec. 46. Section 10-21g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Department of Education shall establish, within available appropriations, a "Generation Next" pilot program to provide industry-based job shadowing and internship experiences to high school students and externship experiences to teachers in the public schools, including the technical [high] education and career schools. The Commissioner of Education, for purposes of the program, may award grants to local and regional boards of education, technical [high] education and career schools or state-wide or local business associations, in partnership with such boards of education or schools, for demonstration projects. Boards of education, technical [high] education and career schools or business associations seeking to participate in the pilot program shall apply to the department at such time and in such form as the commissioner prescribes. The commissioner shall select a diverse group of participants based on the population, geographic location and economic characteristics of the school district or school. Local and regional boards of education, technical [high] education and career schools or business associations awarded grants under the program shall use grant funds for developing and implementing a coordinated high school level teacher externship and student job shadowing and internship program with science or mathematics or with technology intensive businesses in the state.
Sec. 47. Subsection (a) of section 10-21j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Commissioner of Education, in collaboration with the Board of Regents for Higher Education, shall establish a committee to coordinate the education of middle school and high school students about careers in manufacturing. Such committee shall include, but not be limited to, (1) representatives from the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Labor Department, the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, the advanced manufacturing centers at the regional community-technical colleges, independent institutions of higher education in the state that offer training in the field of manufacturing, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, manufacturing companies and employee organizations that represent manufacturing workers, and (2) middle and high school teachers and guidance counselors.
Sec. 48. Section 10-55 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
No pupil from any town belonging to a regional school district shall, at the expense of such town, attend any other school in lieu of that provided by said district except a technical [high] education and career school approved by the State Board of Education, unless his attendance at such other school is approved by the regional board of education.
Sec. 49. Subsection (d) of section 10-64 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) Any local or regional board of education which does not furnish agricultural science and technology education approved by the State Board of Education shall designate a school or schools having such a course approved by the State Board of Education as the school which any person may attend who has completed an elementary school course through the eighth grade. The board of education shall pay the tuition and reasonable and necessary cost of transportation of any person under twenty-one years of age who is not a graduate of a high school or technical [high] education and career school or an agricultural science and technology education center and who attends the designated school, provided transportation services may be suspended in accordance with the provisions of section 10-233c. Each such board's reimbursement percentage pursuant to section 10-266m, as amended by this act, for expenditures in excess of eight hundred dollars per pupil incurred in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2004, and in each fiscal year thereafter, shall be increased by an additional twenty percentage points.
Sec. 50. Section 10-66p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4-98, 4-212 to 4-219, inclusive, 4a-51 and 4a-57, the Commissioner of Education may allocate funds to allow regional educational service centers and state education organizations to provide professional development services, technical assistance and evaluation activities to local and regional boards of education, state charter schools, technical [high] education and career schools, school readiness providers and other educational entities, as determined by the commissioner. Regional educational service centers and state education organizations shall expend such funds in accordance with procedures and conditions prescribed by the commissioner. For purposes of this section, state education organizations may include, but not be limited to, organizations or associations representing superintendents, boards of education and elementary and secondary schools.
Sec. 51. Subdivision (4) of section 10-67 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(4) "Cooperating eligible entity" means any corporation or other business entity, nonprofit organization, private occupational school authorized pursuant to sections 10a-22a to 10a-22o, inclusive, institution of higher education licensed or accredited pursuant to the provisions of section 10a-34, technical [high] education and career school or library which provides classes or services specified under subparagraph (A) of subsection (a) of section 10-69, in conformance with the program standards applicable to boards of education, through a written cooperative arrangement with a local or regional board of education or regional educational service center;
Sec. 52. Subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of section 10-69 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(2) Credit for successful completion of courses taken for credit at state-accredited institutions, including public and private community colleges, technical colleges, community-technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities and approved public and private high schools and technical [high] education and career schools;
Sec. 53. Subsection (c) of section 10-74d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(c) The Department of Education may retain (1) up to one per cent of the amount appropriated for interdistrict cooperative grants pursuant to this section for state-wide technical assistance, program monitoring and evaluation, and administration, and (2) up to one per cent of such amount for use by the [technical high schools] Technical High School System for interdistrict summer school, weekend and after-school programs.
Sec. 54. Section 10-76q of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The State Board of Education, in accordance with regulations adopted by said board, shall: (1) Provide the professional services necessary to identify, in accordance with section 10-76a, children requiring special education who are enrolled at [state technical high schools, in accordance with section 10-95] a technical education and career school; (2) identify each such child; (3) determine the appropriateness of the [state technical high school] technical education and career school for the educational needs of each such child; (4) provide an appropriate educational program for each such child; (5) maintain a record thereof; and (6) annually evaluate the progress and accomplishments of special education programs [at the state technical high schools] provided by the Technical Education and Career System.
(b) Where it is deemed appropriate that a child enrolled in a [state technical high school] technical education and career school receive special education, the parents or guardian of such child shall have a right to the hearing and appeal process as provided for in section 10-76h.
(c) If a planning and placement team determines that a student requires special education services which preclude such student's participation in the vocational education program offered by a technical [high] education and career school, the student shall be referred to the board of education in the town in which the student resides for the development of an individualized educational program and such board of education shall be responsible for the implementation and financing of such program.
Sec. 55. Subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of section 10-76oo of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (e) of this section, the Department of Education shall (1) purchase, in accordance with the provisions of section 4a-57, a digital individualized education program form software for purposes of creating, submitting and sharing digital copies of a student's individualized education program and related documents among authorized users, and (2) provide such digital individualized education program form software at no cost to local and regional boards of education and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System.
(b) On or before October 1, 2015, the department shall issue a request for proposals to eligible software companies for the purchase of the digital individualized education program form software. Such request for proposals shall require that the digital individualized education program form software: (1) Allow authorized users to create and submit a complete digital copy of a student's individualized education program and related documents to the portal and share such digital copy with (A) the department for purposes of conducting a remote audit; and (B) a local or regional board of education or the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System in a case where the student may transfer, (2) provide twenty-four-hour access for an unlimited number of authorized users to use the digital individualized education program form software, (3) provide an electronic catalog of goals and objectives aligned with the curriculum standards adopted by the State Board of Education, (4) allow local and regional boards of education and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System to purchase additional programs to supplement the digital individualized education program form software, and (5) protect a student's individual education program and related documents that are created, submitted and shared using the digital individualized education program form software from unauthorized access, destruction, use, modification or disclosure in accordance with current industry standards.
(c) When evaluating the responses to the request for proposals and selecting a digital individualized education program form software, the department shall consider the types of digital individualized education program form software currently used and successfully implemented by local and regional boards of education and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System.
(d) For the school year commencing July 1, 2016, and each school year thereafter, if the department purchases a digital individualized education program under this section, the department shall provide such digital individualized education program form software to fifty per cent of the local and regional boards of education and to fifty per cent of the technical [high] education and career schools under the jurisdiction of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System. For the school year commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year thereafter, the department shall provide the digital individualized education program form software to the remaining fifty per cent of the local and regional boards of education and to the remaining fifty per cent of the technical [high] education and career schools under the jurisdiction of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System.
Sec. 56. Section 10-76pp of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Department of Education shall provide a digital individualized education program form software at no cost to local and regional boards of education and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System in accordance with section 10-76oo, as amended by this act. Such digital individualized education program form software shall permit local and regional boards of education and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System to create and submit a complete digital copy of a student's individualized education program and related documents to (1) the department for purposes of conducting a remote audit, and (2) a local or regional board of education or the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System in which such student has transferred to.
(b) A local and regional board of education and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System shall use the digital individualized education program form software when such software is provided by the department, except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Nothing in this section shall affect or impair any agreement entered into between a local or regional board of education or the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System and a software company for purposes of creating and sharing digital copies of a student's individualized education program and related documents prior to the department providing a digital individualized education program form software to such local or regional board of education or [such technical high school system] the Technical Education and Career System pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. When any such agreement terminates or expires, the local or regional board of education or the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, as applicable, shall use the digital individualized education program form software provided by the department.
Sec. 57. Section 10-95a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The State Board of Education shall establish a student activity program at each [of the state technical high schools] technical education and career school. Such programs shall consist of athletic and nonathletic activities. State funds may be expended for the purposes of this section.
Sec. 58. Subsection (a) of section 10-95e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The State Board of Education shall establish a Vocational Education Extension Fund. Within said Vocational Education Extension Fund, there is established an account to be known as the "vocational education extension account". The Vocational Education Extension Fund may include other accounts separate and apart from the vocational education extension account. The vocational education extension account shall be used for the operation of preparatory and supplemental programs, including apprenticeship programs in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, and for the purchase of such materials and equipment required for use in the operation of said programs. All proceeds derived from the operation of said programs and revenue collected for rental or use of school facilities shall be credited to and become a part of the resources of said vocational education extension account, except as provided in subsection (b) of this section. All direct expenses incurred in the conduct of said programs shall be charged, and any payments of interest and principal of bonds or any sums transferable to any fund for the payment of interest and principal of bonds and any cost of equipment for such operations may be charged, against said vocational education extension account on order of the State Comptroller. Any balance of receipts above expenditures shall remain in said vocational education extension account to be used for said program and for the acquisition, as provided by section 4b-21, alteration and repairs of real property for educational facilities for such programs, except such sums as may be required to be transferred from time to time to any fund for the redemption of bonds and payment of interest on bonds, provided capital projects costing over one hundred thousand dollars shall require the approval of the General Assembly or, when the General Assembly is not in session, of the Finance Advisory Committee. The [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board shall fix the tuition fees to be charged students for preparatory and supplemental programs including apprenticeship programs. Not less than half of the tuition fee charged for any apprenticeship program shall be paid by the employer.
Sec. 59. Section 10-95h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Not later than November thirtieth each year, the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, higher education and employment advancement and labor shall meet with the chairperson of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board and the superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, the Labor Commissioner, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and such other persons as they deem appropriate to consider the items submitted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(b) On or before November fifteenth, annually:
(1) The Labor Commissioner shall submit the following to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, higher education and employment advancement and labor: (A) Information identifying general economic trends in the state; (B) occupational information regarding the public and private sectors, such as continuous data on occupational movements; and (C) information identifying emerging regional, state and national workforce needs over the next thirty years.
(2) The superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System shall submit the following to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, higher education and employment advancement and labor: (A) Information ensuring that the curriculum of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System is incorporating those workforce skills that will be needed for the next thirty years, as identified by the Labor Commissioner in subdivision (1) of this subsection, into the technical [high] education and career schools; (B) information regarding the employment status of students who graduate from or complete an approved program of study at the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, including, but not limited to: (i) Demographics such as age and gender, (ii) course and program enrollment and completion, (iii) employment status, and (iv) wages prior to enrolling and after graduating; (C) an assessment of the adequacy of the resources available to the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System as the system develops and refines programs to meet existing and emerging workforce needs; (D) recommendations to the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board to carry out the provisions of subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of this subdivision; and (E) information regarding staffing at each technical [high] education and career school for the current academic year. The superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System shall collaborate with the Labor Commissioner to obtain information as needed to carry out the provisions of this subsection.
(3) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall submit the following to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, higher education and employment advancement and labor: (A) Information regarding the relationship between the Department of Economic and Community Development and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, (B) information regarding coordinated efforts of the department and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System to collaborate with the business community, (C) information on workforce training needs identified by the department through its contact with businesses, (D) recommendations regarding how the department and the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System can coordinate or improve efforts to address the workforce training needs identified in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, (E) information regarding the efforts of the department to utilize the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System in business assistance and economic development programs offered by the department, and (F) any additional information the commissioner deems relevant.
Sec. 60. Section 10-95i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Not later than January 1, 2020, and every five years thereafter, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board shall adopt a long-range plan of priorities and goals for the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System. The plan shall address coordination with other providers of vocational, technical, [or] technological or postsecondary education or training and shall include (1) an analysis of the activities described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section and how such activities relate to the long-range plan of priorities and goals, and (2) a summary of activities related to capital improvements and equipment pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. Upon adoption of the plan, the board shall file the plan directly with the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, finance, revenue and bonding and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. The state board shall use the plan in preparing its five-year comprehensive plan pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-4.
(b) During the five-year period beginning January 1, 2020, and during each five-year period thereafter, the board shall evaluate each existing technical [high] education and career school trade program in accordance with a schedule which the board shall establish. A trade program may be reauthorized for a period of not more than five years following each evaluation on the basis of: The projected employment demand for students enrolled in the trade program, including consideration of the employment of graduates of the program during the preceding five years; anticipated technological changes; the availability of qualified instructors; the existence of similar programs at other educational institutions; and student interest in the trade program. As part of the evaluation, the board shall consider geographic differences that may make a trade program feasible at one school and not another and whether certain combinations of program offerings shall be required. Prior to any final decision on the reauthorization of a trade program, the board shall consult with the craft committees for the trade program being evaluated.
(c) The board shall consider the addition of new trade programs. Decisions by the board to add such programs shall at a minimum be based on the projected employment demand for graduates of the program, the cost of establishing the program, the availability of qualified instructors, the existence of similar programs at other educational institutions and the interest of students in the trade. The board shall authorize new trade programs for a maximum of five years. The board shall provide a process for the public, including, but not limited to, employers, parents, students or teachers, to request consideration of the establishment of a new trade program.
(d) The board shall maintain a rolling three-year capital improvement and capital equipment plan that identifies: (1) Alterations, renovations and repairs that each technical [high] education and career school is expected to need, including, but not limited to, grounds and athletic fields, heating and ventilation systems, wiring, roofs, and windows, and the cost of such projects, (2) recommendations for energy efficiency improvements to each school and the cost of such improvements, and (3) the specific equipment each technical [high] education and career school is expected to need, based on the useful life of existing equipment and projections of changing technology and the estimated cost of the equipment. The board shall submit such plan, annually, directly to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, finance, revenue and bonding and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.
Sec. 61. Section 10-95j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The State Board of Education shall include in the report required pursuant to section 10-95k, as amended by this act, a summary of the following:
(1) Admissions policies for [technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System;
(2) Recruitment and retention of faculty;
(3) Efforts to strengthen consideration of the needs of and to develop greater public awareness of the [technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System; and
(4) Efforts to strengthen the role of school craft committees and increase employer participation.
Sec. 62. Section 10-95k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Not later than January 1, 2017, and biennially thereafter, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board shall prepare a summary report concerning the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System and shall submit the report directly to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. The report shall include demographic information for the preceding two school years on applicants for admission, students enrolled and graduates, and a summary of the capital and operating expenditures. Such information shall be provided for the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System and for each technical [high] education and career school and satellite facility. Enrollment information shall be reported by race and sex and by specific trade programs. Applicant information shall include the number of applicants, the number accepted and the number enrolled reported by race and sex. Enrollment capacity for each school and projected enrollment capacity for the subsequent school year shall be developed on the basis of a standardized format and shall be reported for each school and satellite facility. The report shall also include assessment of student outcomes including, but not limited to, mastery examination results pursuant to section 10-14n, retention and completion rates, and postsecondary education or employment based on graduate follow-up and, for purposes of employment placement, state unemployment insurance wage records.
(b) Reports prepared and submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section on and after January 1, 2017, shall identify each technical [high] education and career school for which enrollment on the preceding October first was less than seventy per cent of the enrollment capacity identified in the report pursuant to this section for the prior year. For each such school the report shall include an analysis of: (1) The reasons for such enrollment, including, but not limited to, the interest in the specific trade programs offered, the resources needed to serve special education students, demographic changes and the existence of alternative vocational, technical and technological educational training programs in the region in which the school is located; (2) the likelihood that enrollment will increase or decrease in the future; (3) any alternative uses for unused space in the facility; and (4) a recommendation on the steps to be taken to improve enrollment or a timetable for closing the school. In preparing the analysis, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System board shall provide an opportunity for public comment.
Sec. 63. Section 10-95l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Department of Education shall provide in-service training programs, in accordance with subsection (a) of section 10-220a, for the teachers, administrators and pupil personnel employed in the [technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System who hold the initial educator, provisional educator or professional educator certificate. In addition, the department shall provide programs to enhance the knowledge and skill level of such teachers in their vocational or technical field.
Sec. 64. Section 10-95n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Each technical [high] education and career school shall provide access to directory information and on-campus recruiting opportunities to representatives of the armed forces of the United States of America and state armed services to the extent necessary under federal law to prevent the loss of federal funds to such school or to the state of Connecticut. The disclosure of information pursuant to this section shall otherwise be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, as defined in section 1-200.
Sec. 65. Section 10-95o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) (1) The State Board of Education shall not close or suspend operations of any technical [high] education and career school for more than six months unless the board (A) holds a public hearing at the school that may be closed or whose operations may be suspended, (B) develops and makes available a comprehensive plan for such school in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, and (C) affirmatively votes to close or suspend operations at a meeting duly called. Such public hearing shall be held after normal school hours and at least thirty days prior to any vote of the board pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision.
(2) The board shall not extend the closure or suspension of operations of a technical [high] education and career school beyond the period set forth in the comprehensive plan described in subsection (b) of this section unless the board (A) holds another public hearing at a location in the town in which the school is located, after normal school hours and at least thirty days prior to any vote of the board pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, (B) develops and makes available a new comprehensive plan for such school in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, and (C) affirmatively votes to extend such closure or suspension of school operations at a meeting duly called.
(b) The State Board of Education shall develop a comprehensive plan regarding the closure or suspension of operations of any technical [high] education and career school prior to the public hearing described in subsection (a) of this section. Such comprehensive plan shall include, but not be limited to, (1) an explanation of the reasons for the school closure or suspension of operations, including a cost-benefit analysis of such school closing or suspension of operations, (2) the length of the school closure or suspension of operations, (3) the financial plan for the school during the closure or suspension of operations, including, but not limited to, the costs of such school closure or suspension of operations, (4) a description of the transitional phase to school closure or suspension of operations and a description of the transitional phase to reopening the school, (5) an explanation of what will happen to students currently enrolled at such school during the school closure or suspension of operations, including, but not limited to, available technical [high] education and career schools for such students to attend and transportation for such students to such schools, (6) an explanation of what will happen to school personnel during the school closure or suspension of operations, including, but not limited to, employment at other schools, and (7) an explanation of how the school building and property will be used during the school closure or suspension of operations. The State Board of Education shall provide for the mailing of such comprehensive plan to parents and guardians of students enrolled at the school and to school personnel employed at such school, and make such comprehensive plan available on the school's web site at least fourteen days prior to the public hearing described in subsection (a) of this section.
(c) The State Board of Education shall be responsible for transporting any student enrolled in a technical [high] education and career school that is closed or whose operations are suspended pursuant to this section to another technical [high] education and career school during such period of closure or suspension of operations, and the board shall be responsible for the costs associated with such transportation.
Sec. 66. Section 10-96c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Commissioner of Education may indemnify and hold harmless any person, as defined in section 1-79, as amended by this act, who makes a gift of tangible property or properties with a fair market value in excess of one thousand dollars to the Department of Education or the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System for instructional purposes. Any indemnification under this section shall be solely for any damages caused as a result of the use of such tangible property, provided there shall be no indemnification for any liability resulting from (1) intentional or wilful misconduct by the person providing such tangible property to the department or the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, or (2) hidden defects in such tangible property that are known to and not disclosed by the person providing such tangible property to the department or the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System at the time the gift is made.
Sec. 67. Section 10-97 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The board of education of any town or, where the boards of education of constituent towns have so agreed, any regional school district shall provide the reasonable and necessary transportation, except as provided in section 10-233c, for any student under twenty-one years of age who is not a graduate of a high school or technical [high] education and career school and who resides with a parent or guardian in such town or regional school district or who belongs to such town, and who attends a state or state-approved technical [high] education and career school within such local or regional school district as a regular all-day student or as a high school cooperative student, and for any such student who attends any such school in a town other than the town of his residence. When the cost of such transportation out-of-town would exceed the sum of two hundred dollars per year, said board of education may elect to maintain such student in the town where he or she attends such technical [high] education and career school and for the cost of such maintenance the local or regional school district shall be reimbursed in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of payment for transportation. Each such board's reimbursement percentage pursuant to section 10-266m, as amended by this act, for expenditures in excess of eight hundred dollars per pupil incurred in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1987, and in each fiscal year thereafter, shall be increased by an additional twenty percentage points.
(b) Any local or regional board of education which does not furnish agricultural science and technology education approved by the State Board of Education shall designate a school or schools having such a course approved by the State Board of Education as the school which any person may attend who has completed an elementary school course through the eighth grade. The board of education shall pay the tuition and reasonable and necessary cost of transportation of any person under twenty-one years of age who is not a graduate of a high school or technical [high] education and career school and who attends the designated school, provided transportation services may be suspended in accordance with the provisions of section 10-233c. Each such board's reimbursement percentage pursuant to section 10-266m, as amended by this act, for expenditures in excess of eight hundred dollars per pupil incurred in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1987, and in each fiscal year thereafter, shall be increased by an additional twenty percentage points.
(c) Any local or regional board of education which transports students to a state or state-approved technical [high] education and career school, or school furnishing agricultural science and technology education shall be reimbursed for a portion of such pupil transportation annually in accordance with the provisions of section 10-266m, as amended by this act, and the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section relating to reimbursement percentages, provided the reimbursement for transportation costs to a school furnishing vocational agricultural training shall not exceed an amount equal to such reimbursement of the costs of transporting such pupils to the school furnishing a full program of vocational agricultural training nearest to the sending school district at the time of the pupil's initial enrollment in the program. Application for such reimbursement shall be made by the board of education to the State Board of Education at such time and in such manner as said state board prescribes. The provisions of this section shall apply to a veteran who served in time of war, as defined by section 27-103, without regard to age or whether or not such veteran resides with a parent or guardian provided such veteran is attending a state or state-approved vocational secondary school.
(d) The parents or guardian of any student or any veteran over twenty-one who is denied the reasonable and necessary transportation required in this section may appeal such lack of transportation in the same manner as is provided in sections 10-186 and 10-187, as amended by this act.
(e) For purposes of this section, a local or regional board of education shall not be required to expend for transporting a student to a technical [high] education and career school or an agricultural science and technology education center an amount greater than six thousand dollars, except that a board of education shall continue to pay the reasonable and necessary costs of transporting a student who is enrolled in such a school or center on July 1, 1996, until such student completes the program at such school or center.
Sec. 68. Section 10-97a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
On or before July 15, 2010, and annually thereafter, the State Board of Education shall arrange for the inspection, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-282a, of those school buses, as defined in section 14-275, in operation in the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System.
Sec. 69. Section 10-97b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) On and after July 1, 2010, the State Board of Education shall replace any school bus that (1) is twelve years or older and is in service at any technical [high] education and career school, or (2) has been subject to an out-of-service order, as defined in section 14-1, for two consecutive years for the same reason.
(b) On or before July 1, 2011, and annually thereafter, the superintendent of the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and finance, revenue and bonding a report on the replacement of school buses in service in the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Such report shall include the number of school buses replaced in the previous school year and a projection of the number of school buses anticipated to be replaced in the upcoming school year.
Sec. 70. Section 10-98a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The director of each technical [high] education and career school shall meet with members of the business community within the geographic area served by the technical [high] education and career school to develop a plan to assess workforce needs and implement curriculum modifications to address those needs.
Sec. 71. Subsection (a) of section 10-186 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Each local or regional board of education shall furnish, by transportation or otherwise, school accommodations so that each child five years of age and over and under twenty-one years of age who is not a graduate of a high school or technical [high] education and career school may attend public school, except as provided in section 10-233c and subsection (d) of section 10-233d, as amended by this act. Any board of education which denies school accommodations, including a denial based on an issue of residency, to any such child shall inform the parent or guardian of such child or the child, in the case of an emancipated minor or a pupil eighteen years of age or older, of his right to request a hearing by the board of education in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section. A board of education which has denied school accommodations shall advise the board of education under whose jurisdiction it claims such child should be attending school of the denial. For purposes of this section, (1) a "parent or guardian" shall include a surrogate parent appointed pursuant to section 10-94g, and (2) a child residing in a dwelling located in more than one town in this state shall be considered a resident of each town in which the dwelling is located and may attend school in any one of such towns. For purposes of this subsection, "dwelling" means a single, two or three-family house or a condominium unit.
Sec. 72. Section 10-215b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The State Board of Education is authorized to expend in each fiscal year an amount equal to (1) the money required pursuant to the matching requirements of said federal laws and shall disburse the same in accordance with said laws, and (2) ten cents per lunch served in the prior school year in accordance with said laws by any local or regional board of education, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System or governing authority of a state charter school, interdistrict magnet school or endowed academy approved pursuant to section 10-34 that participates in the National School Lunch Program and certifies pursuant to section 10-215f, as amended by this act, that the nutrition standards established by the Department of Education pursuant to section 10-215e shall be met.
(b) The State Board of Education shall prescribe the manner and time of application by such board of education, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, such governing authority or controlling authority of the nonpublic schools for such funds, provided such application shall include the certification that any funds received pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall be used for the program approved. The State Board of Education shall determine the eligibility of the applicant to receive such grants pursuant to regulations provided in subsection (c) of this section and shall certify to the Comptroller the amount of the grant for which the board of education, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, the governing authority or the controlling authority of a nonpublic school is eligible. Upon receipt of such certification, the Comptroller shall draw an order on the Treasurer in the amount, at the time and to the payee so certified.
(c) The State Board of Education may adopt such regulations as may be necessary in implementing sections 10-215 to 10-215b, inclusive, as amended by this act.
(d) The Commissioner of Education shall establish a procedure for monitoring compliance by boards of education, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, or governing authorities with certifications submitted in accordance with section 10-215f, as amended by this act, and may adjust grant amounts pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of this section based on failure to comply with said certification.
Sec. 73. Section 10-215f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Each local and regional board of education, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, and the governing authority for each state charter school, interdistrict magnet school and endowed academy approved pursuant to section 10-34 that participates in the National School Lunch Program shall certify in its annual application to the Department of Education for school lunch funding whether, during the school year for which such application is submitted, all food items made available for sale to students in schools under its jurisdiction and not exempted from the nutrition standards published by the Department of Education pursuant to section 10-215e will meet said standards. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section, such certification shall include food not exempted from said nutrition standards and offered for sale to students at all times, and from all sources, including, but not limited to, school stores, vending machines, school cafeterias, and any fundraising activities on school premises, whether or not school sponsored.
(b) Each board of education, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System and each governing authority that certifies pursuant to this section compliance with the department's nutrition standards for food may exclude from such certification the sale to students of food items that do not meet such standards, provided (1) such sale is in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend, (2) such sale is at the location of such event, and (3) such food is not sold from a vending machine or school store.
Sec. 74. Section 10-220d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Each local and regional board of education shall provide full access to technical [high] education and career schools, regional agricultural science and technology education centers, interdistrict magnet schools, charter schools and interdistrict student attendance programs for the recruitment of students attending the schools under the board's jurisdiction, provided such recruitment is not for the purpose of interscholastic athletic competition. Each local and regional board of education shall provide information relating to technical [high] education and career schools, regional agricultural science and technology education centers, interdistrict magnet schools, charter schools, alternative high schools and interdistrict student attendance programs on the board's web site. Each local and regional board of education shall inform students and parents of students in middle and high schools within such board's jurisdiction of the availability of (1) vocational, technical, [and] technological and postsecondary education and training at technical [high] education and career schools, and (2) agricultural science and technology education at regional agricultural science and technology education centers.
Sec. 75. Subsection (e) of section 10-233d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) of this section concerning the provision of an alternative educational opportunity for pupils between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, local and regional boards of education shall not be required to offer such alternative to any pupil between the ages of sixteen and eighteen who is expelled because of conduct which endangers persons if it is determined at the expulsion hearing that the conduct for which the pupil is expelled involved (1) possession of a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921, as amended from time to time, or deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or martial arts weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, on school property or at a school-sponsored activity, or (2) offering for sale or distribution on school property or at a school-sponsored activity a controlled substance, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 21a-240, whose manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing, transporting or possessing with the intent to sell or dispense, offering, or administration is subject to criminal penalties under sections 21a-277 and 21a-278. If a pupil is expelled pursuant to this section for possession of a firearm or deadly weapon the board of education shall report the violation to the local police department or in the case of a student enrolled in a technical [high] education and career school to the state police. If a pupil is expelled pursuant to this section for the sale or distribution of such a controlled substance, the board of education shall refer the pupil to an appropriate state or local agency for rehabilitation, intervention or job training, or any combination thereof, and inform the agency of its action. Whenever a local or regional board of education notifies a pupil between the ages of sixteen and eighteen or the parents or guardian of such pupil that an expulsion hearing will be held, the notification shall include a statement that the board of education is not required to offer an alternative educational opportunity to any pupil who is found to have engaged in the conduct described in this subsection.
Sec. 76. Section 10-233d of the general statutes, as amended by section 12 of public act 16-147, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective August 15, 2017):
(a) (1) Any local or regional board of education, at a meeting at which three or more members of such board are present, or the impartial hearing board established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, may expel, subject to the provisions of this subsection, any pupil in grades three to twelve, inclusive, whose conduct on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity is violative of a publicized policy of such board or is seriously disruptive of the educational process or endangers persons or property or whose conduct off school grounds is violative of such policy and is seriously disruptive of the educational process, provided a majority of the board members sitting in the expulsion hearing vote to expel and that at least three affirmative votes for expulsion are cast. In making a determination as to whether conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process, the board of education or impartial hearing board may consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to: (A) Whether the incident occurred within close proximity of a school; (B) whether other students from the school were involved or whether there was any gang involvement; (C) whether the conduct involved violence, threats of violence or the unlawful use of a weapon, as defined in section 29-38, and whether any injuries occurred; and (D) whether the conduct involved the use of alcohol.
(2) Expulsion proceedings pursuant to this section, except as provided in subsection (i) of this section, shall be required for any pupil in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, whenever there is reason to believe that any pupil (A) on school grounds or at a school-sponsored activity, was in possession of a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921, as amended from time to time, or deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or martial arts weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, (B) off school grounds, did possess such a firearm in violation of section 29-35 or did possess and use such a firearm, instrument or weapon in the commission of a crime under chapter 952, or (C) on or off school grounds, offered for sale or distribution a controlled substance, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 21a-240, whose manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing, transporting or possessing with intent to sell or dispense, offering, or administering is subject to criminal penalties under sections 21a-277 and 21a-278. Such a pupil shall be expelled for one calendar year if the local or regional board of education or impartial hearing board finds that the pupil did so possess or so possess and use, as appropriate, such a firearm, instrument or weapon or did so offer for sale or distribution such a controlled substance, provided the board of education or the hearing board may modify the period of expulsion for a pupil on a case-by-case basis, and as provided for in subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section.
(3) Unless an emergency exists, no pupil shall be expelled without a formal hearing held pursuant to sections 4-176e to 4-180a, inclusive, and section 4-181a, provided whenever such pupil is a minor, the notice required by section 4-177 and section 4-180 shall also be given to the parents or guardian of the pupil at least five business days before such hearing. If an emergency exists, such hearing shall be held as soon after the expulsion as possible. The notice shall include information concerning the parent's or guardian's and the pupil's legal rights and concerning legal services provided free of charge or at a reduced rate that are available locally and how to access such services. An attorney or other advocate may represent any pupil subject to expulsion proceedings. The parent or guardian of the pupil shall have the right to have the expulsion hearing postponed for up to one week to allow time to obtain representation, except that if an emergency exists, such hearing shall be held as soon after the expulsion as possible.
(b) For purposes of conducting expulsion hearings as required by subsection (a) of this section, any local or regional board of education or any two or more of such boards in cooperation may establish an impartial hearing board of one or more persons. No member of any such board or boards shall be a member of the hearing board. The hearing board shall have the authority to conduct the expulsion hearing and render a final decision in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-176e to 4-180a, inclusive, and section 4-181a.
(c) (1) In determining the length of an expulsion and the nature of the alternative educational opportunity to be offered under subsection (d) of this section, the local or regional board of education, or the impartial hearing board established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, may receive and consider evidence of past disciplinary problems that have led to removal from a classroom, suspension or expulsion of such pupil.
(2) For any pupil expelled for the first time pursuant to this section and who has never been suspended pursuant to section 10-233c, except for a pupil who has been expelled based on possession of a firearm or deadly weapon as described in subsection (a) of this section, the local or regional board of education may shorten the length of or waive the expulsion period if the pupil successfully completes a board-specified program and meets any other conditions required by the board. Such board-specified program shall not require the pupil or the parent or guardian of the pupil to pay for participation in the program.
(d) Any pupil under sixteen years of age who is expelled shall be offered an alternative educational opportunity, which shall be equivalent to alternative education, as defined by section 10-74j, with an individualized learning plan, during the period of expulsion, provided any parent or guardian of such pupil who does not choose to have his or her child enrolled in an alternative educational program shall not be subject to the provisions of section 10-184. Any pupil expelled for the first time who is between the ages of sixteen and eighteen and who wishes to continue his or her education shall be offered such an alternative educational opportunity if he or she complies with conditions established by his or her local or regional board of education. Such alternative educational opportunity may include, but shall not be limited to, the placement of a pupil who is at least seventeen years of age in an adult education program pursuant to section 10-69, as amended by this act. Any pupil participating in an adult education program during a period of expulsion shall not be required to withdraw from school under section 10-184. A local or regional board of education shall count the expulsion of a pupil when he was under sixteen years of age for purposes of determining whether an alternative educational opportunity is required for such pupil when he is between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. A local or regional board of education may offer an alternative educational opportunity to a pupil for whom such alternative educational opportunity is not required pursuant to this section.
(e) If a pupil is expelled pursuant to this section for possession of a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921, as amended from time to time, or deadly weapon, dangerous instrument or martial arts weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, the board of education shall report the violation to the local police department or in the case of a student enrolled in a technical [high] education and career school to the state police. If a pupil is expelled pursuant to this section for the sale or distribution of a controlled substance, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 21a-240, whose manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing, transporting or possessing with the intent to sell or dispense, offering, or administration is subject to criminal penalties under sections 21a-277 and 21a-278, the board of education shall refer the pupil to an appropriate state or local agency for rehabilitation, intervention or job training, or any combination thereof, and inform the agency of its action.
(f) Whenever a pupil is expelled pursuant to the provisions of this section, notice of the expulsion and the conduct for which the pupil was expelled shall be included on the pupil's cumulative educational record. Such notice, except for notice of an expulsion of a pupil in grades nine to twelve, inclusive, based on possession of a firearm or deadly weapon as described in subsection (a) of this section, (1) shall be expunged from the cumulative educational record by the local or regional board of education if a pupil graduates from high school, or (2) may be expunged from the cumulative educational record by the local or regional board of education before a pupil graduates from high school if (A) in the case of a pupil for which the length of the expulsion period is shortened or the expulsion period is waived pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section, such board determines that an expungement is warranted at the time such pupil completes the board-specified program and meets any other conditions required by such board pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section, or (B) such pupil has demonstrated to such board that the conduct and behavior of such pupil in the years following such expulsion warrants an expungement. A local or regional board of education, in determining whether to expunge such notice under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, may receive and consider evidence of any subsequent disciplinary problems that have led to removal from a classroom, suspension or expulsion of such pupil.
(g) A local or regional board of education may adopt the decision of a pupil expulsion hearing conducted by another school district provided such local or regional board of education or impartial hearing board shall hold a hearing pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section which shall be limited to a determination of whether the conduct which was the basis for the expulsion would also warrant expulsion under the policies of such board. The pupil shall be excluded from school pending such hearing. The excluded student shall be offered an alternative educational opportunity in accordance with the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section.
(h) Whenever a pupil against whom an expulsion hearing is pending withdraws from school after notification of such hearing but before the hearing is completed and a decision rendered pursuant to this section, (1) notice of the pending expulsion hearing shall be included on the pupil's cumulative educational record, and (2) the local or regional board of education or impartial hearing board shall complete the expulsion hearing and render a decision. If such pupil enrolls in school in another school district, such pupil shall not be excluded from school in the other district pending completion of the expulsion hearing pursuant to this subsection unless an emergency exists, provided nothing in this subsection shall limit the authority of the local or regional board of education for such district to suspend the pupil or to conduct its own expulsion hearing in accordance with this section.
(i) Prior to conducting an expulsion hearing for a child requiring special education and related services described in subparagraph (A) of subdivision (5) of section 10-76a, a planning and placement team shall convene to determine whether the misconduct was caused by the child's disability. If it is determined that the misconduct was caused by the child's disability, the child shall not be expelled. The planning and placement team shall reevaluate the child for the purpose of modifying the child's individualized education program to address the misconduct and to ensure the safety of other children and staff in the school. If it is determined that the misconduct was not caused by the child's disability, the child may be expelled in accordance with the provisions of this section applicable to children who do not require special education and related services. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (d) and (e) of this section, whenever a child requiring such special education and related services is expelled, an alternative educational opportunity, consistent with such child's educational needs shall be provided during the period of expulsion.
(j) An expelled pupil may apply for early readmission to school. Except as provided in this subsection, such readmission shall be at the discretion of the local or regional board of education. The board of education may delegate authority for readmission decisions to the superintendent of schools for the school district. If the board delegates such authority, readmission shall be at the discretion of the superintendent. Readmission decisions shall not be subject to appeal to Superior Court. The board or superintendent, as appropriate, may condition such readmission on specified criteria.
(k) Local and regional boards of education shall submit to the Commissioner of Education such information on expulsions for the possession of weapons as required for purposes of the Gun-Free Schools Act of 1994, 20 USC 8921 et seq. , as amended from time to time.
(l) (1) Any student who commits an expellable offense and is subsequently committed to a juvenile detention center, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School or any other residential placement for such offense may be expelled by a local or regional board of education in accordance with the provisions of this section. The period of expulsion shall run concurrently with the period of commitment to a juvenile detention center, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School or any other residential placement.
(2) If a student who committed an expellable offense seeks to return to a school district after participating in a diversionary program or having been detained in a juvenile detention center, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School or any other residential placement and such student has not been expelled by the local or regional board of education for such offense under subdivision (1) of this subsection, the local or regional board of education for the school district to which the student is returning shall allow such student to return and may not expel the student for additional time for such offense.
Sec. 77. Subsection (a) of section 10-235 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Each board of education shall protect and save harmless any member of such board or any teacher or other employee thereof or any member of its supervisory or administrative staff, and the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the board of trustees of each state institution and each state agency which employs any teacher, and the managing board of any public school, as defined in section 10-183b, including the governing council of any charter school, shall protect and save harmless any member of such boards, or any teacher or other employee thereof or any member of its supervisory or administrative staff employed by it, from financial loss and expense, including legal fees and costs, if any, arising out of any claim, demand, suit or judgment by reason of alleged negligence or other act resulting in accidental bodily injury to or death of any person, or in accidental damage to or destruction of property, within or without the school building, or any other acts, including but not limited to infringement of any person's civil rights, resulting in any injury, which acts are not wanton, reckless or malicious, provided such teacher, member or employee, at the time of the acts resulting in such injury, damage or destruction, was acting in the discharge of his or her duties or within the scope of employment or under the direction of such board of education, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, board of trustees, state agency, department or managing board; provided that the provisions of this section shall not limit or otherwise affect application of section 4-165 concerning immunity from personal liability. For the purposes of this section, the terms "teacher" and "other employee" shall include (1) any person who is a cooperating teacher pursuant to section 10-220a, teacher mentor or reviewer, (2) any student teacher doing practice teaching under the direction of a teacher employed by a local or regional board of education or by the State Board of Education or Board of Regents for Higher Education, (3) any student enrolled in a technical [high] education and career school who is engaged in a supervised health-related field placement program which constitutes all or part of a course of instruction for credit by a technical [high] education and career school, provided such health-related field placement program is part of the curriculum of such technical [high] education and career school, and provided further such course is a requirement for graduation or professional licensure or certification, (4) any volunteer approved by a board of education to carry out a duty prescribed by said board and under the direction of a certificated staff member including any person, partnership, limited liability company or corporation providing students with community-based career education, (5) any volunteer approved by a board of education to carry out the duties of a school bus safety monitor as prescribed by said board, (6) any member of the faculty or staff or any student employed by The University of Connecticut Health Center or health services, (7) any student enrolled in a constituent unit of the state system of higher education who is engaged in a supervised program of field work or clinical practice which constitutes all or part of a course of instruction for credit by a constituent unit, provided such course of instruction is part of the curriculum of a constituent unit, and provided further such course (i) is a requirement for an academic degree or professional licensure or (ii) is offered by the constituent unit in partial fulfillment of its accreditation obligations, and (8) any student enrolled in a constituent unit of the state system of higher education who is acting in the capacity of a member of a student discipline committee established pursuant to section 4-188a.
Sec. 78. Subsection (d) of section 10-262n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) (1) Each school district shall be eligible to receive a minimum grant under the program as follows: (A) Each school district in towns ranked from one to one hundred thirteen, inclusive, when all towns are ranked in ascending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on town wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, shall be eligible to receive a minimum grant in the amount of thirty thousand dollars, and (B) each school district in towns ranked from one hundred fourteen to one hundred sixty-nine, inclusive, when all towns are ranked in ascending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on town wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, shall be eligible to receive a minimum grant under the program in the amount of fifteen thousand dollars. Such minimum grant may be increased for certain school districts pursuant to subdivision (4) of this subsection. (2) The department shall use (A) one hundred thousand dollars of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section for the [technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System for wiring and other technology initiatives at such schools, and (B) fifty thousand dollars of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section for technology grants to state charter schools. The amount of the grant each state charter school receives shall be based on the number of students enrolled in the school. (3) The department may retain up to one per cent of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section for coordination, program evaluation and administration. (4) Any remaining appropriated funds shall be used to increase the grants to (A) priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p, (B) transitional school districts pursuant to section 10-263c, and (C) school districts in towns ranked from one to eighty-five, inclusive, when all towns are ranked in ascending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on town wealth, as defined in section 10-262f. Each such school district shall receive an amount based on the ratio of the number of resident students, as defined in said section 10-262f, in such school district to the total number of resident students in all such school districts.
Sec. 79. Section 10-262s of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Commissioner of Education may, to assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, transfer funds appropriated for the Sheff settlement to the following: (1) Grants for interdistrict cooperative programs pursuant to section 10-74d, as amended by this act, (2) grants for state charter schools pursuant to section 10-66ee, (3) grants for the interdistrict public school attendance program pursuant to section 10-266aa, (4) grants for interdistrict magnet schools pursuant to section 10-264l, as amended by this act, and (5) to [technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System for programming.
Sec. 80. Subsection (a) of section 10-264l of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Department of Education shall, within available appropriations, establish a grant program (1) to assist (A) local and regional boards of education, (B) regional educational service centers, (C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of Quinebaug Valley Community College and Three Rivers Community College, and (D) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, and (2) in assisting the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, as determined by the Commissioner of Education, to assist (A) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (B) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (C) the Board of Trustees of The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (D) the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, and (E) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner with the operation of interdistrict magnet school programs. All interdistrict magnet schools shall be operated in conformance with the same laws and regulations applicable to public schools. For the purposes of this section "an interdistrict magnet school program" means a program which (i) supports racial, ethnic and economic diversity, (ii) offers a special and high quality curriculum, and (iii) requires students who are enrolled to attend at least half-time. An interdistrict magnet school program does not include a regional agricultural science and technology school, a technical [high] education and career school or a regional special education center. On and after July 1, 2000, the governing authority for each interdistrict magnet school program that is in operation prior to July 1, 2005, shall restrict the number of students that may enroll in the program from a participating district to eighty per cent of the total enrollment of the program. The governing authority for each interdistrict magnet school program that begins operations on or after July 1, 2005, shall restrict the number of students that may enroll in the program from a participating district to seventy-five per cent of the total enrollment of the program, and maintain such a school enrollment that at least twenty-five per cent but not more than seventy-five per cent of the students enrolled are pupils of racial minorities, as defined in section 10-226a. The governing authority of an interdistrict magnet school that the commissioner determines will assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, shall restrict the number of students that may enroll in the program from a participating district in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, provided such enrollment is in accordance with the reduced-isolation setting standards of such 2013 stipulation and order.
Sec. 81. Subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 10-266m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Commissioner of Education may provide grants, within available appropriations, in an amount not to exceed two thousand dollars per pupil, to local and regional boards of education and regional educational service centers that transport (A) out-of-district students to a technical [high schools] education and career school located in Hartford, or (B) Hartford students attending a technical [high] education and career school or a regional agricultural science and technology education center outside of the district, to assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, as determined by the commissioner, for the costs associated with such transportation.
Sec. 82. Subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-283 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(2) The Commissioner of Education shall assign each school building project to a category on the basis of whether such project is primarily required to: (A) Create new facilities or alter existing facilities to provide for mandatory instructional programs pursuant to this chapter, for physical education facilities in compliance with Title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1972 where such programs or such compliance cannot be provided within existing facilities or for the correction of code violations which cannot be reasonably addressed within existing program space; (B) create new facilities or alter existing facilities to enhance mandatory instructional programs pursuant to this chapter or provide comparable facilities among schools to all students at the same grade level or levels within the school district unless such project is otherwise explicitly included in another category pursuant to this section; and (C) create new facilities or alter existing facilities to provide supportive services, provided in no event shall such supportive services include swimming pools, auditoriums, outdoor athletic facilities, tennis courts, elementary school playgrounds, site improvement or garages or storage, parking or general recreation areas. All applications submitted prior to July first shall be reviewed promptly by the Commissioner of Administrative Services. The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall estimate the amount of the grant for which such project is eligible, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-285a, provided an application for a school building project determined by the Commissioner of Education to be a project that will assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al. v. William A. O'Neill, et al. , as extended, shall have until September first to submit an application for such a project and may have until December first of the same year to secure and report all local and state approvals required to complete the grant application. The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall annually prepare a listing of all such eligible school building projects listed by category together with the amount of the estimated grants for such projects and shall submit the same to the Governor, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the General Assembly on or before the fifteenth day of December, except as provided in section 10-283a, with a request for authorization to enter into grant commitments. On or before December thirty-first annually, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall submit comments and recommendations regarding each eligible project on such listing of eligible school building projects to the school construction committee, established pursuant to section 10-283a. Each such listing submitted after December 15, 2005, until December 15, 2010, inclusive, shall include a separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in scope or cost to a degree determined by the Commissioner of Education once, and a separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in scope or cost to a degree determined by said commissioner twice. Any such listing submitted after December 15, 2010, until December 15, 2011, inclusive, shall include a separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in scope or cost to a degree determined by the Commissioner of Administrative Services once, and a separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in scope or cost to a degree determined by said commissioner twice. For the period beginning July 1, 2011, and ending December 31, 2013, each such listing shall include a report on the review conducted by the Commissioner of Education of the enrollment projections for each such eligible project. On and after January 1, 2014, each such listing shall include a report on the review conducted by the Commissioner of Administrative Services of the enrollment projections for each such eligible project. For the period beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2012, no project, other than a project for a technical [high] education and career school, may appear on the separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in cost more than twice. On and after July 1, 2012, no project, other than a project for a technical [high] education and career school, may appear on the separate schedule of authorized projects which have changed in cost more than once, except the Commissioner of Administrative Services may allow a project to appear on such separate schedule of authorized projects a second time if the town or regional school district for such project can demonstrate that exigent circumstances require such project to appear a second time on such separate schedule of authorized projects. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, no projects which have changed in scope or cost to the degree determined by the Commissioner of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, shall be eligible for reimbursement under this chapter unless it appears on such list. The percentage determined pursuant to section 10-285a at the time a school building project on such schedule was originally authorized shall be used for purposes of the grant for such project. On and after July 1, 2006, a project that was not previously authorized as an interdistrict magnet school shall not receive a higher percentage for reimbursement than that determined pursuant to section 10-285a at the time a school building project on such schedule was originally authorized. The General Assembly shall annually authorize the Commissioner of Administrative Services to enter into grant commitments on behalf of the state in accordance with the commissioner's categorized listing for such projects as the General Assembly shall determine. The Commissioner of Administrative Services may not enter into any such grant commitments except pursuant to such legislative authorization. Any regional school district which assumes the responsibility for completion of a public school building project shall be eligible for a grant pursuant to subdivision (5) or (6), as the case may be, of subsection (a) of section 10-286 when such project is completed and accepted by such regional school district.
Sec. 83. Subsection (a) of section 10-283b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) On and after July 1, 2011, the Commissioner of Administrative Services shall include school building projects for the [technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System on the list developed pursuant to section 10-283, as amended by this act. The adoption of the list by the General Assembly and authorization by the State Bond Commission of the issuance of bonds pursuant to section 10-287d, as amended by this act, shall fund the full cost of the projects. On or after July 1, 2011, the Commissioner of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, may approve applications for grants to assist school building projects for the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System to remedy damage from fire and catastrophe, to correct safety, health and other code violations, to replace roofs, to remedy a certified school indoor air quality emergency, or to purchase and install portable classroom buildings at any time within the limit of available grant authorization and to make payments on such a project within the limit of appropriated funds, provided portable classroom building projects do not create a new facility or cause an existing facility to be modified so that the portable buildings comprise a substantial percentage of the total facility area, as determined by the Commissioner of Administrative Services. Such projects shall be subject to the requirements of chapters 59 and 60.
Sec. 84. Subsection (a) of section 10-284 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Commissioner of Administrative Services shall have authority to receive and review applications for state grants under this chapter, and to approve any such application, or to disapprove any such application if (1) it does not comply with the requirements of the State Fire Marshal or the Department of Public Health, (2) it is not accompanied by a life-cycle cost analysis approved by the Commissioner of Administrative Services, (3) it does not comply with the provisions of sections 10-290d and 10-291, (4) it does not meet (A) the standards or requirements established in regulations adopted in accordance with section 10-287c, or (B) school building categorization requirements described in section 10-283, as amended by this act, (5) the estimated construction cost exceeds the per square foot cost for schools established in regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Administrative Services for the county in which the project is proposed to be located, (6) on and after July 1, 2014, the application does not comply with the school safety infrastructure criteria developed by the School Safety Infrastructure Council, pursuant to section 10-292r, except the Commissioner of Administrative Services may waive any of the provisions of the school safety infrastructure criteria if the commissioner determines that the application demonstrates that the applicant has made a good faith effort to address such criteria and that compliance with such criteria would be infeasible, unreasonable or excessively expensive, or (7) the Commissioner of Education determines that the proposed educational specifications for or theme of the project for which the applicant requests a state grant duplicates a program offered by a technical [high] education and career school or an interdistrict magnet school in the same region.
Sec. 85. Section 10-287d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
For the purposes of funding (1) grants to projects that have received approval of the Department of Administrative Services pursuant to sections 10-287 and 10-287a, subsection (a) of section 10-65 and section 10-76e, (2) grants to assist school building projects to remedy safety and health violations and damage from fire and catastrophe, and (3) technical [high] education and career school projects pursuant to section 10-283b, as amended by this act, the State Treasurer is authorized and directed, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of section 3-20, to issue bonds of the state from time to time in one or more series in an aggregate amount not exceeding eleven billion two hundred sixteen million one hundred sixty thousand dollars, provided five hundred sixty million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2016. Bonds of each series shall bear such date or dates and mature at such time or times not exceeding thirty years from their respective dates and be subject to such redemption privileges, with or without premium, as may be fixed by the State Bond Commission. They shall be sold at not less than par and accrued interest and the full faith and credit of the state is pledged for the payment of the interest thereon and the principal thereof as the same shall become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due. The State Treasurer is authorized to invest temporarily in direct obligations of the United States, United States agency obligations, certificates of deposit, commercial paper or bank acceptances such portion of the proceeds of such bonds or of any notes issued in anticipation thereof as may be deemed available for such purpose.
Sec. 86. Section 10-357e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Commissioner of Education may allocate funds to allow the State Education Resource Center, established pursuant to section 10-357a, to provide professional development services, technical assistance and evaluation activities, policy analysis and other forms of assistance to local and regional boards of education, the Department of Education, state and local charter schools, as defined in section 10-66aa, the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System, established pursuant to section 10-95, as amended by this act, providers of school readiness programs, as defined in section 10-16p, and other educational entities and providers. The State Education Resource Center shall expend such funds in accordance with procedures and conditions prescribed by the commissioner.
Sec. 87. Subsection (b) of section 10a-25b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent hereinafter stated, shall be used to encourage, promote, develop and assist high technology products and programs within Connecticut by infusion of financial assistance in situations when such financial aid would not otherwise reasonably be available from other sources as hereinafter stated: (1) For the State Board of Education: High technology equipment for programs in the technical [high] education and career schools, not exceeding two million dollars; (2) for Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated: (A) Matching funds for cooperative high technology research and development projects and programs, not exceeding nine million dollars; (B) financial aid, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 32-34, to public institutions of higher education for high technology projects and programs, not exceeding eleven million five hundred thousand dollars.
Sec. 88. Section 10a-55e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Each technical [high] education and career school and public institution of higher education shall develop, in such manner as the Commissioner of Education and president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities prescribe, agreements to share equipment required for students participating in green jobs certificate or degree programs or enrolled in a course of study concerning green jobs, including, but not limited to, solar photovoltaic installation.
Sec. 89. Section 10a-55g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Board of Regents for Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall annually prepare and publish on the Board of Regents for Higher Education's web site a list of every green jobs course and green jobs certificate and degree program offered by technical [high] education and career schools and public institutions of higher education and an inventory of green jobs related equipment used by such technical education and career schools and institutions of higher education.
Sec. 90. Section 10a-72d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Board of Trustees for the Community-Technical Colleges shall establish procedures for (1) the development of articulation agreements between the regional community-technical colleges and the [technical high schools] Technical Education and Career System in order to ensure a successful transition to higher education for students attending [the] a technical [high schools] education and career school, and (2) the awarding of appropriate college credit for persons enrolled in and registered under the terms of a qualified apprenticeship training program, certified in accordance with regulations adopted by the Labor Commissioner and registered with the Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council established under section 31-22n.
Sec. 91. Subsection (b) of section 10a-123 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) The purposes, objectives and duties of said center shall be as follows: (1) To conduct studies in real estate and urban economics and to publish and disseminate the findings and results of such studies; (2) to assist the teaching program in real estate offered by The University of Connecticut; (3) to supply material to the Connecticut Real Estate Commission for the preparation by it of examinations for real estate salespersons and brokers, if requested to do so by the commission; (4) to develop and from time to time revise and update materials for use in the extension courses in real estate offered by The University of Connecticut; (5) to assist the Connecticut Real Estate Commission in developing standards for the accreditation of technical [high] education and career schools and other teaching agencies giving courses in the field of real estate and standards for the approval of courses in the field of real estate, as and when requested to do so by the commission.
Sec. 92. Subsection (a) of section 10a-166 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Any child between the ages of sixteen and twenty-three, inclusive, of any person who served in the armed forces in time of war, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and who was killed in action or who died as a result of accident or illness sustained while performing active military duty with the armed forces of the United States or who has been rated totally and permanently disabled by the Veterans' Administration of the United States, or who is missing in action in Vietnam, if such person was a resident of this state at the time of his induction or reenlistment, shall receive, upon application to and approval of such application therefor by the Board of Regents for Higher Education, state aid for tuition, matriculation fees, board, room rent, books and supplies for such child attending any of the following-named institutions approved by said board: An educational or training institution of college grade or any other institution of higher learning or commercial training, a state college, a technical [high] education and career school or technical institute or any accredited military preparatory school if such beneficiary is preparing to enter the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London or the United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. The application submitted to the Board of Regents for Higher Education shall include an affidavit signed by the applicant which states that the applicant has not applied for and will not apply for or receive state aid from another state which is similar to that provided for in this section. Such grant may be used for the matriculation fees of any such beneficiary at any of said United States government academies. Such aid shall be based on need and shall not exceed four hundred dollars per year for each beneficiary and shall be paid to such institution on vouchers approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
Sec. 93. Subsection (d) of section 14-36 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) (1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) present to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles a certificate of the successful completion (i) in a public secondary school, a [state] technical [high] education and career school or a private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) present to the commissioner a certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than eight hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol and drugs and their impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse and the penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations; and (C) pass an examination which may include a comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road in addition to the test required under subsection (c) of this section and shall include an on-the-road skills test as prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of application and examination for a motor vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and instruction by the driver training unit for persons with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such permit for the period of time required by said unit. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may impose, the commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed in good standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, or secondary school driver education program authorized pursuant to the provisions of section 14-36e, to administer the comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part of the safe driving practices course required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, the results of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction required by this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition to any existing instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course required under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. Any applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a resident of another state, completed the course required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not complete the safe driving course required in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall complete the safe driving course. The commissioner may waive any requirement in this subdivision, except for that in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has received training and instruction of a similar nature.
(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home training as evidenced by a written statement signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant which states that the applicant has obtained a youth instruction permit and has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person signing the statement, that the signer has had an operator's license for at least four years preceding the date of the statement, and that the signer has not had such license suspended by the commissioner for at least four years preceding the date of the statement or, if the applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the instruction, a statement signed by the applicant's stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided the person signing the statement is qualified.
(3) If the commissioner requires a written test of any applicant under this section, the test shall be given in English or Spanish at the option of the applicant, provided the commissioner shall require that the applicant shall have sufficient understanding of English for the interpretation of traffic control signs.
(4) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this subsection concerning the requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, the content of safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools, and the administration and certification of required testing.
Sec. 94. Subsection (a) of section 14-37a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Any person whose operator's license has been suspended pursuant to any provision of this chapter or chapter 248, except pursuant to section 14-215 for operating under suspension or pursuant to section 14-140 for failure to appear for any scheduled court appearance, and any person identified in subsection (g) of this section may make application to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for (1) a special "work" permit to operate a motor vehicle to and from such person's place of employment or, if such person is not employed at a fixed location, to operate a motor vehicle only in connection with, and to the extent necessary, to properly perform such person's business or profession, (2) a special "education" permit to operate a motor vehicle to and from an institution of higher education or a private occupational school, as defined in section 10a-22a, in which such person is enrolled, provided no such special "education" permit shall be issued to any student enrolled in a high school under the jurisdiction of a local or regional board of education, a high school under the jurisdiction of a regional educational service center, a charter school, a regional agricultural science and technology education center or a technical [high] education and career school, or (3) a special "medical" permit to operate a motor vehicle to and from any ongoing medically necessary treatment, available upon adoption by the commissioner of regulations pursuant to chapter 54, that describe qualifications for such permit. Such application shall be accompanied by an application fee of one hundred dollars.
Sec. 95. Subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) (1) Any mandated reporter, as described in section 17a-101, who in the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any child under the age of eighteen years (A) has been abused or neglected, as described in section 46b-120, (B) has had nonaccidental physical injury, or injury which is at variance with the history given of such injury, inflicted upon such child, or (C) is placed at imminent risk of serious harm, or (2) any school employee, as defined in section 53a-65, who in the ordinary course of such person's employment or profession has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person who is being educated by the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education program, is a victim under the provisions of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, and the perpetrator is a school employee shall report or cause a report to be made in accordance with the provisions of sections 17a-101b to 17a-101d, inclusive.
Sec. 96. Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 17a-101a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(2) Any person who intentionally and unreasonably interferes with or prevents the making of a report pursuant to this section, or attempts or conspires to do so, shall be guilty of a class D felony. The provisions of this subdivision shall not apply to any child under the age of eighteen years or any person who is being educated by the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education program.
Sec. 97. Subsection (a) of section 17a-101i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, not later than five working days after an investigation of a report that a child has been abused or neglected by a school employee, as defined in section 53a-65, or that a person is a victim, as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, of a school employee has been completed, the Commissioner of Children and Families shall notify the employing superintendent and the Commissioner of Education of the results of such investigation and shall provide records, whether or not created by the department, concerning such investigation to the superintendent and the Commissioner of Education. The Commissioner of Children and Families shall provide such notice whether or not the child or victim was a student in the employing school or school district. If the Commissioner of Children and Families, based upon the results of the investigation, has reasonable cause to believe that (1) (A) a child has been abused or neglected, as described in section 46b-120, by such employee, and (B) the commissioner recommends such school employee be placed on the child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k, or (2) a person is a victim, as described in subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 17a-101a, of such school employee, the superintendent shall suspend such school employee. Such suspension shall be with pay and shall not result in the diminution or termination of benefits to such employee. Not later than seventy-two hours after such suspension the superintendent shall notify the local or regional board of education and the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's representative, of the reasons for and conditions of the suspension. The superintendent shall disclose such records to the Commissioner of Education and the local or regional board of education or its attorney for purposes of review of employment status or the status of such employee's certificate, permit or authorization. The suspension of a school employee employed in a position requiring a certificate shall remain in effect until the board of education acts pursuant to the provisions of section 10-151. If the contract of employment of such certified school employee is terminated, or such certified school employee resigns such employment, the superintendent shall notify the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's representative, within seventy-two hours after such termination or resignation. Upon receipt of such notice from the superintendent, the Commissioner of Education may commence certification revocation proceedings pursuant to the provisions of subsection (i) of section 10-145b. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1-210 and 1-211, information received by the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's representative, pursuant to this section shall be confidential subject to regulations adopted by the State Board of Education under section 10-145g. No local or regional board of education shall employ a person whose employment contract is terminated or who resigned from employment following a suspension pursuant to the provisions of this subsection if such person is convicted of a crime involving an act of child abuse or neglect as described in section 46b-120 or a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a against any person who is being educated by the [technical high school system] Technical Education and Career System or a local or regional board of education, other than as part of an adult education program.
Sec. 98. Section 17b-610 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Department of Social Services, as lead agency for persons with mental and physical disabilities pursuant to section 17b-606, shall, in conjunction with the Labor Department, provide ongoing assessment of the needs of the business community and the ways persons with disabilities could fill such needs and shall assess skills needed by businesses, necessary training, available jobs, specific work sites and the programs offered by [technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System and comprehensive high schools. The Department of Social Services shall report its progress on or before January 15, 1990, and annually thereafter, to the committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services.
Sec. 99. Subsection (b) of section 17b-688i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(b) The Labor Department shall be responsible for the administration of employment services to recipients of temporary family assistance under the employment services program, administered by the Department of Social Services pursuant to section 17b-688c. The employment services provided by the Labor Department shall include appropriate basic education and occupational skills training combined with subsidized or unsubsidized work experience and employment, as deemed appropriate by the Labor Department, and any other programs or services deemed appropriate by the Labor Department, to the extent permitted under state and federal law, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) Employment; (2) work-study, internship or apprenticeship opportunities; (3) adult skills training, including literacy, mathematics and language proficiency with curriculum related to job opportunities and job search skills; (4) occupational skills training; (5) case management and counseling in successful work skills; (6) enrollment at a public or independent institution of higher education; and (7) access to state-subsidized child care and transportation, where needed. Services may be provided by existing service providers, including, but not limited to, local or regional boards of education or regional educational service centers that offer adult education programs, community-technical colleges, [technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System and public and independent institutions of higher education.
Sec. 100. Subsection (a) of section 20-90 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Said board may adopt a seal. The Commissioner of Public Health, with advice and assistance from the board, and in consultation with the State Board of Education, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, permitting and setting standards for courses for the training of practical nurses to be offered in high schools [and technical high schools] or by the Technical Education and Career System for students who have not yet acquired a high school diploma. Students who satisfactorily complete courses approved by said Board of Examiners for Nursing, with the consent of the Commissioner of Public Health, as meeting such standards shall be given credit for each such course toward the requirements for a practical nurse's license. All schools of nursing in this state, except such schools accredited by the National League for Nursing or other professional accrediting association approved by the United States Department of Education and recognized by the Commissioner of Public Health, and all schools for training licensed practical nurses and all hospitals connected to such schools that prepare persons for examination under the provisions of this chapter, shall be visited periodically by a representative of the Department of Public Health who shall be a registered nurse or a person experienced in the field of nursing education. The board shall keep a list of all nursing programs and all programs for training licensed practical nurses that are approved by it, with the consent of the Commissioner of Public Health, as maintaining the standard for the education of nurses and the training of licensed practical nurses as established by the commissioner. The board shall consult, where possible, with nationally recognized accrediting agencies when approving schools.
Sec. 101. Section 31-3c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
The Labor Commissioner, with the approval of the Commissioners of Economic and Community Development and Education, shall establish a customized job training program for preemployment and postemployment job training for the purpose of meeting the labor requirements of manufacturing or economic base businesses, as defined in subsection (l) of section 32-222, and shall implement such job training program. Such job training program shall include training designed to increase the basic skills of employees, including, but not limited to, training in written and oral communication, mathematics or science, or training in technical and technological skills. The Labor Commissioner shall use funds appropriated to the Labor Department for vocational and manpower training in carrying out such job training program, except that not more than four per cent of such funds may be used to pay the cost of its administration. Upon receipt of a request for job training pursuant to this section, the Labor Commissioner shall notify the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or his or her designee, of such request. The president, or his or her designee, shall determine if a training program exists or can be designed at a regional community-technical college to meet such training need and shall notify the Labor Commissioner of such determination. The Labor Commissioner shall, to the extent possible, make arrangements for the participation of the regional community-technical colleges, the Connecticut State University System, other institutions of higher education, other postsecondary institutions, adult education programs, opportunities industrialization centers and [state technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System in implementing the program. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Labor Commissioner from considering or choosing other providers to meet such training need. Nothing in this section shall preclude an employer from considering or choosing other providers to meet the training needs of such employer, provided the Labor Commissioner approves such employer's use of such other providers. For the period from July 1, 1996, to June 30, 1999, the Labor Commissioner, or his or her designee, the chancellor of the community-technical colleges and the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education shall meet semiannually to review actions taken pursuant to this section and section 32-6j, as amended by this act.
Sec. 102. Subdivision (8) of subsection (b) of section 31-3h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(8) Developing a strategy for providing comprehensive services to eligible youths, which strategy shall include developing youth preapprentice and apprentice programs through, but not limited to, technical [high] education and career schools, and improving linkages between academic and occupational learning and other youth development activities; and
Sec. 103. Subdivision (5) of subsection (b) of section 31-3k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(5) Establish a worker training education committee comprised of persons from the education and business communities within the region, including, but not limited to, regional community-technical colleges and technical [high] education and career schools.
Sec. 104. Subdivision (12) of subsection (b) of section 31-11p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(12) Identification of core services available under the one-stop delivery system, which shall, at a minimum, include: (A) Determination of whether individuals are eligible to receive assistance under Subtitle B of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P. L. 113-128, as from time to time amended; (B) outreach, intake and orientation to the information and other services available through the one-stop delivery system; (C) a uniform assessment procedure for screening adults and dislocated workers which shall include, but not be limited to, initial assessment of skill levels, aptitudes, abilities, supportive service needs and for application of the self-sufficiency measurement developed in accordance with the provisions of section 4-66e; (D) job search and placement assistance and, where appropriate, career counseling; (E) provision of (i) employment statistics information, including the provision of accurate information concerning local, regional and national labor market areas, including job vacancy listings in such labor market areas, information on job skills necessary to obtain such vacant jobs and information relating to local occupations in demand and the earnings and skill requirements for such occupations; (ii) provider performance information and program cost information on eligible providers of training services, as described in Section 122 of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P. L. 113-128, as from time to time amended, provided by program, and eligible providers of youth activities described in Section 123 of said act, eligible providers of adult education described in Title II of said act, providers of postsecondary vocational education activities and vocational education activities, which shall include, but not be limited to, preapprentice programs available through, but not limited to, [technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System, available to school dropouts under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act, 20 USC 2301, et seq. , and providers of vocational rehabilitation program activities described in Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 USC 720, et seq. ; (iii) information regarding how the local area is performing on the local performance measures and any additional performance information with respect to the one-stop delivery system in the local area; (iv) accurate information concerning the availability of supportive services, including child care and transportation, available through the local area and referral to such services, as appropriate; (v) information regarding filing claims for unemployment compensation under chapter 567; (F) assistance in establishing eligibility for programs of financial aid assistance for training and education programs that are not funded under said act and are available through the local area; (G) follow-up services, including counseling regarding the workplace, for participants in workforce investment activities authorized under Subtitle B of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P. L. 113-128, as from time to time amended, who are placed in unsubsidized employment, for not less than twelve months after the first day of the employment, as appropriate; and (H) assistance in establishing eligibility for authorized activities under Section 403(a)(5) of the Social Security Act, as added by Section 5001 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, available in the local area. For purposes of this subdivision, "local area" refers to an area designated as such pursuant to Section 116 of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, P. L. 113-128, as from time to time amended;
Sec. 105. Subsection (c) of section 31-23 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(c) No minor under the age of eighteen years shall be employed or permitted to work in any occupation which has been or shall be pronounced hazardous to health by the Department of Public Health or pronounced hazardous in other respects by the Labor Department. This section shall not apply to (1) the employment or enrollment of minors sixteen years of age and over as apprentices in bona fide apprenticeship courses in manufacturing or mechanical establishments, technical [high] education and career schools or public schools, (2) the employment of such minors who have graduated from a public or private secondary or technical [high] education and career school in any manufacturing or mechanical establishment, (3) the employment of such minors who are participating in a manufacturing or mechanical internship in any manufacturing or mechanical establishment, or (4) the enrollment of such minors in a cooperative work-study program approved by the Commissioner of Education and the Labor Commissioner or in a program established pursuant to section 10-20a, as amended by this act. No provision of this section shall apply to agricultural employment, domestic service, street trades or the distribution of newspapers. For purposes of this subsection, (A) "internship" means supervised practical training of a high school student or recent high school graduate that is comprised of curriculum and workplace standards approved by the Department of Education and the Labor Department, and (B) "cooperative work-study program" means a program of vocational education, approved by the Commissioner of Education and the Labor Commissioner, for persons who, through a cooperative arrangement between the school and employers, receive instruction, including required academic courses and related vocational instruction by alternation of study in school with a job in any occupational field, provided these two experiences are planned and supervised by the school and employers so that each contributes to the student's education and to his employability. Work periods and school attendance may be on alternate half days, full days, weeks or other periods of time in fulfilling the cooperative work-study program.
Sec. 106. Section 31-24 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Except in [state] technical [high] education and career schools or in public schools teaching manual training, no child under sixteen years of age shall be employed or permitted to work in adjusting or assisting in adjusting any belt upon any machine, or in oiling or assisting in oiling, wiping or cleaning machinery, while power is attached, or in preparing any composition in which dangerous acids are used, or in soldering, or in the manufacture or packing of paints, dry colors or red or white lead, or in the manufacture, packing or storing of gun or blasting powder, dynamite, nitroglycerine compounds, safety fuses in the raw or unvarnished state, electric fuses for blasting purposes or any other explosive, or in the manufacture or use of any dangerous or poisonous gas or dye, or composition of lye in which the quantity thereof is injurious to health, or upon any scaffolding, or in any heavy work in any building trade or in any tunnel, mine or quarry, or in operating or assisting to operate any emery, stone or buffing wheel; and, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of section 31-23, no child under sixteen years of age shall be employed or permitted to work in any capacity requiring such child to stand continuously.
Sec. 107. Subdivision (8) of section 31-51ww of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(8) "Education" means (A) a postsecondary program of instruction provided by a college, university, community college, [area technical high school] the Technical Education and Career System, professional institution or specialized college or school legally authorized to grant degrees, or (B) any related educational program approved by the community-based organization and the department;
Sec. 108. Section 32-4i of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Commissioner of Revenue Services and the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, may establish the Learn Here, Live Here program. Such program may provide an incentive for graduates of a public institution of higher education, private university or college, or health care training school in this state, or graduates from a technical [high] education and career school, to buy a first home in the state. Persons who graduate on or after January 1, 2014, from such institutions, universities, colleges or schools may have their income tax liability, up to a maximum of two thousand five hundred dollars annually, segregated into the Connecticut first-time homebuyers account established pursuant to section 32-4j, provided not more than one million dollars from all program participants may be so segregated in any calendar year. After a period not exceeding ten years after graduation, any amounts so segregated may be withdrawn by a participant for the purchase of a first home in the state. The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may make payments in accordance with this section from said fund to the participants. For the purposes of this section, "health care training school" means a medical or dental school, chiropractic college, school or college of optometry, school or college of chiropody or podiatry, school of occupational therapy, hospital-based occupational school, school or college of naturopathy, school of dental hygiene, school of physical therapy or any other school or institution giving instruction in the healing arts.
(b) (1) After a period not exceeding ten years after the date of graduation, a participant in the program established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may apply to the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development for a payment to be issued, on behalf of such participant, and used as the down payment on a house, which must be the first house such participant has bought, either singly or jointly. Such payment may be in an amount equal to the amount of segregated funds deposited on behalf of such participant. If the payment is less than such amount, any excess amount shall be deposited in the General Fund.
(2) If a participant ceases to live in the state at any time up to one year after such date, such participant shall repay one hundred per cent of the amount paid out. If a participant ceases to live in the state at any time up to two years after such date, such participant shall repay eighty per cent of the amount paid out. If a participant ceases to live in the state at any time up to three years after such date, such participant shall repay sixty per cent of the amount paid out. If a participant ceases to live in the state at any time up to four years after such date, such participant shall repay forty per cent of the amount paid out. If a participant ceases to live in the state at any time up to five years after such date, such participant shall repay twenty per cent of the amount paid out. After five years, there is no repayment obligation. Any amounts repaid under this subdivision shall be deposited in the General Fund.
(c) On or before December 1, 2012, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may develop, within available appropriations, a comprehensive public education program to educate recent graduates of a public institution of higher education, private university or college, or health care training school in the state, or of a technical [high] education and career school, about the program established under this section for first-time home buyers. The public education program shall include, but not be limited to, information concerning life-time savings plans and information on the purchase of a home. If the commissioner develops such public education program, the department shall begin to implement such program not later than January 1, 2014.
Sec. 109. Section 32-6j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
In the assessment and provision of job training for employers, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall request the assistance of the Labor Commissioner. Upon receipt of a request for job training pursuant to this section, the Labor Commissioner shall notify the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, or his or her designee, of such request. The president, or his or her designee, shall determine if a training program exists or can be designed at a regional community-technical college to meet such training need and shall notify the Labor Commissioner of such determination. The Labor Commissioner shall to the extent possible make arrangements for the participation of the regional community-technical colleges, the Connecticut State University System, other institutions of higher education, other postsecondary institutions, adult education programs and [state technical high schools] the Technical Education and Career System in implementing the program. Nothing in this section shall preclude the Labor Commissioner from considering or choosing other providers to meet such training need.
Sec. 110. Subdivision (12) of section 32-475 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(12) Participate in a Connecticut career certificate program established by a local or regional board of education, [technical high school] the Technical Education and Career System or regional education service center and approved by the Commissioner of Education and the Labor Commissioner.
Sec. 111. Section 38a-682 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
If any insurance company licensed to do business in this state allows a rate credit or deviation in motor vehicle insurance premium charges for persons successfully completing a full course of study of motor vehicle operation in a public secondary school, a [state] technical [high] education and career school or a private secondary school, as approved by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles in accordance with the provisions of section 14-36e, or training of a similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school approved by said commissioner, including, in each case, successful completion of the required number of hours of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, then such insurance company shall give equal credit or deviation to all such persons.
Sec. 112. Subdivision (3) of subsection (h) of section 46b-15 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(3) Upon the granting of an ex parte order, the clerk of the court shall provide two copies of the order to the applicant. Upon the granting of an order after notice and hearing, the clerk of the court shall provide two copies of the order to the applicant and a copy to the respondent. Every order of the court made in accordance with this section after notice and hearing shall be accompanied by a notification that is consistent with the full faith and credit provisions set forth in 18 USC 2265(a), as amended from time to time. Immediately after making service on the respondent, the proper officer shall (A) send or cause to be sent, by facsimile or other means, a copy of the application, or the information contained in such application, stating the date and time the respondent was served, to the law enforcement agency or agencies for the town in which the applicant resides, the town in which the applicant is employed and the town in which the respondent resides, and (B) as soon as possible, but not later than two hours after the time that service is executed, input into the Judicial Branch's Internet-based service tracking system the date, time and method of service. If, prior to the date of the scheduled hearing, service has not been executed, the proper officer shall input into such service tracking system that service was unsuccessful. The clerk of the court shall send, by facsimile or other means, a copy of any ex parte order and of any order after notice and hearing, or the information contained in any such order, to the law enforcement agency or agencies for the town in which the applicant resides, the town in which the applicant is employed and the town in which the respondent resides, within forty-eight hours of the issuance of such order. If the victim is enrolled in a public or private elementary or secondary school, including a technical [high] education and career school, or an institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-55, the clerk of the court shall, upon the request of the victim, send, by facsimile or other means, a copy of such ex parte order or of any order after notice and hearing, or the information contained in any such order, to such school or institution of higher education, the president of any institution of higher education at which the victim is enrolled and the special police force established pursuant to section 10a-156b, if any, at the institution of higher education at which the victim is enrolled.
Sec. 113. Subsection (d) of section 46b-16a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) The applicant shall cause notice of the hearing pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and a copy of the application and the applicant's affidavit and of any ex parte order issued pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to be served by a proper officer on the respondent not less than five days before the hearing. The cost of such service shall be paid for by the Judicial Branch. Upon the granting of an ex parte order, the clerk of the court shall provide two copies of the order to the applicant. Upon the granting of an order after notice and hearing, the clerk of the court shall provide two copies of the order to the applicant and a copy to the respondent. Every order of the court made in accordance with this section after notice and hearing shall be accompanied by a notification that is consistent with the full faith and credit provisions set forth in 18 USC 2265(a), as amended from time to time. Immediately after making service on the respondent, the proper officer shall (1) send or cause to be sent, by facsimile or other means, a copy of the application, or the information contained in such application, stating the date and time the respondent was served, to the law enforcement agency or agencies for the town in which the applicant resides, the town in which the applicant is employed and the town in which the respondent resides, and (2) as soon as possible, but not later than two hours after the time that service is executed, input into the Judicial Branch's Internet-based service tracking system the date, time and method of service. If, prior to the date of the scheduled hearing, service has not been executed, the proper officer shall input into such service tracking system that service was unsuccessful. The clerk of the court shall send, by facsimile or other means, a copy of any ex parte order and of any order after notice and hearing, or the information contained in any such order, to the law enforcement agency or agencies for the town in which the applicant resides, the town in which the applicant is employed and the town in which the respondent resides, not later than forty-eight hours after the issuance of such order, and immediately to the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. If the applicant is enrolled in a public or private elementary or secondary school, including a technical [high] education and career school, or an institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-55, the clerk of the court shall, upon the request of the applicant, send, by facsimile or other means, a copy of such ex parte order or of any order after notice and hearing, or the information contained in any such order, to such school or institution of higher education, the president of any institution of higher education at which the applicant is enrolled and the special police force established pursuant to section 10a-142, if any, at the institution of higher education at which the applicant is enrolled.
Sec. 114. Subsection (d) of section 46b-38c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(d) In all cases of family violence, a written or oral report that indicates whether the parties in the family violence case are parties to a case pending on the family relations docket of the Superior Court and includes recommendation of the local family violence intervention unit shall be available to a judge at the first court date appearance to be presented at any time during the court session on that date. A judge of the Superior Court may consider and impose the following conditions to protect the parties, including, but not limited to: (1) Issuance of a protective order pursuant to subsection (e) of this section; (2) prohibition against subjecting the victim to further violence; (3) referral to a family violence education program for persons who commit acts of family violence; and (4) immediate referral for more extensive case assessment. Such protective order shall be an order of the court, and the clerk of the court shall cause (A) a copy of such order to be sent to the victim, and (B) a copy of such order, or the information contained in such order, to be sent by facsimile or other means within forty-eight hours of its issuance to the law enforcement agency for the town in which the victim resides and, if the defendant resides in a town different from the town in which the victim resides, to the law enforcement agency for the town in which the defendant resides. If the victim is employed in a town different from the town in which the victim resides, the clerk of the court shall, upon the request of the victim, send, by facsimile or other means, a copy of such order, or the information contained in such order, to the law enforcement agency for the town in which the victim is employed not later than forty-eight hours after the issuance of such order. If the victim is enrolled in a public or private elementary or secondary school, including a technical [high] education and career school, or an institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-55, the clerk of the court shall, upon the request of the victim, send, by facsimile or other means, a copy of such order, or the information contained in such order, to such school or institution of higher education, the president of any institution of higher education at which the victim is enrolled and the special police force established pursuant to section 10a-156b, if any, at the institution of higher education at which the victim is enrolled.
Sec. 115. Subdivision (4) of subsection (j) of section 46b-129 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(4) The commissioner shall be the guardian of such child or youth for the duration of the commitment, provided the child or youth has not reached the age of eighteen years, or until another guardian has been legally appointed, and in like manner, upon such vesting of the care of such child or youth, such other public or private agency or individual shall be the guardian of such child or youth until such child or youth has reached the age of eighteen years or, in the case of a child or youth in full-time attendance in a secondary school, a technical [high] education and career school, a college or a state-accredited job training program, until such child or youth has reached the age of twenty-one years or until another guardian has been legally appointed. The commissioner may place any child or youth so committed to the commissioner in a suitable foster home or in the home of a fictive kin caregiver, relative caregiver, or in a licensed child-caring institution or in the care and custody of any accredited, licensed or approved child-caring agency, within or without the state, provided a child shall not be placed outside the state except for good cause and unless the parents or guardian of such child are notified in advance of such placement and given an opportunity to be heard, or in a receiving home maintained and operated by the Commissioner of Children and Families. In placing such child or youth, the commissioner shall, if possible, select a home, agency, institution or person of like religious faith to that of a parent of such child or youth, if such faith is known or may be ascertained by reasonable inquiry, provided such home conforms to the standards of said commissioner and the commissioner shall, when placing siblings, if possible, place such children together. Upon the issuance of an order committing the child or youth to the Commissioner of Children and Families, or not later than sixty days after the issuance of such order, the court shall determine whether the Department of Children and Families made reasonable efforts to keep the child or youth with his or her parents or guardian prior to the issuance of such order and, if such efforts were not made, whether such reasonable efforts were not possible, taking into consideration the child's or youth's best interests, including the child's or youth's health and safety.
Sec. 116. Section 48-9 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
Subject to the provisions of section 4b-23, the state may take land, or any interest or estate therein, for the site, or for any addition to the site, of any state institution or courthouse, or for any addition to the site of any institution under the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System, [technical high school] Technical Education and Career System or technical college or for the purposes of subsection (e) of section 22a-133m, and also may take water from any river, brook, spring or springs, pond or lake for the purpose of providing such supply of water as the convenience and necessity of such institution may require. The amount of damages for any such taking shall be determined in the manner provided by section 48-10.
Sec. 117. Subsection (a) of section 54-1k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):
(a) Upon the arrest of a person for a violation of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 53-21, section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70c, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or any attempt thereof, or section 53a-181c, 53a-181d or 53a-181e, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to this section. Upon the arrest of a person for a violation of section 53a-182b or 53a-183, the court may issue a protective order pursuant to this section if it finds that such violation caused the victim to reasonably fear for his or her physical safety. Such order shall be an order of the court, and the clerk of the court shall cause (1) a copy of such order, or the information contained in such order, to be sent to the victim, and (2) a copy of such order, or the information contained in such order, to be sent by facsimile or other means not later than forty-eight hours after its issuance to the law enforcement agency or agencies for the town in which the victim resides, the town in which the victim is employed and the town in which the defendant resides. If the victim is enrolled in a public or private elementary or secondary school, including a technical [high] education and career school, or an institution of higher education, as defined in section 10a-55, the clerk of the court shall, upon the request of the victim, send, by facsimile or other means, a copy of such order, or the information contained in such order, to such school or institution of higher education, the president of any institution of higher education at which the victim is enrolled and the special police force established pursuant to section 10a-156b, if any, at the institution of higher education at which the victim is enrolled.
Sec. 118. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2017) The State Board of Education, upon receipt of a proper application, shall issue an initial educator certificate, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-145b of the general statutes, to any applicant in the certification endorsement area of occupational subjects in vocational-technical schools who has completed six years of work experience in the field for which the certificate is to be endorsed, which may include apprenticeship experience, provided such applicant otherwise meets the requirements established in chapter 166 of the general statutes and any regulations adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to said chapter.
Sec. 119. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2017) The Department of Education shall provide information and guidance to applicants for an initial educator certificate in the certification endorsement area of occupational subjects in vocational-technical schools on how such applicant is to present evidence of meeting the requirements of section 10-145b of the general statutes and section 10-145d-511 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies when such applicant has completed an online program of study. The department shall make such information and guidance available on the department's Internet web site.
Sec. 120. Section 10-95f of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective July 1, 2017)