Subcommittee approves amendments to extend education rules for youths in residential child-care facilities

The Early Childhood and Special Education Subcommittee voted to approve House Bill 396 with amendments that expand state education requirements for children in residential child-care facilities and alter related training and technology provisions.

Delegate Young, chair of the Early Childhood and Special Education Subcommittee, said the panel convened specifically to take up HB 396 and that members would move quickly through consideration. Committee counsel summarized the package of amendments before the vote.

The counsel said the amendments ‘‘lift the cap, allowing kids up to 18’’ and add that, in ‘‘special circumstances’’ involving children with special needs, coverage can extend to age 21. The changes are intended to align state practice with federal policy that prioritizes the ‘‘best interest of the child’’ for school enrollment while a child is in foster care, the counsel said.

Other changes in the amendment package narrow a computer-access requirement. Where the bill originally required access for children ‘‘dually enrolled in both high school and higher ed,’’ the amendment directs that a child enrolled in either high school or higher education must have access to a computer, the counsel said. The amendment also clarifies training rules for residential child-care providers: staff who have already completed much of the required training need not repeat it until their next recertification cycle.

Committee counsel moved to report the bill favorably with the adjusted amendments; the motion was seconded and put to a roll-call vote. Delegates Mercure North, Addison, Ebersole, Long, Pasteur and the chair voted yes; Delegate Griffith was excused. The chair announced, ‘‘The ayes have it,’’ and the subcommittee approved HB 396 as amended.

There was no extended debate recorded on the floor of the subcommittee. Following the vote, the chair thanked members for the swift review and adjourned the meeting.