1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing a task force to review special education.
1.3 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.4 	Section 1. TASK FORCE ON SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH 
1.5 	DISABILITIES.
 1.6 		Subdivision 1.Establishment and duties. A task force to review all aspects of the 
1.7 	state's special education system is established to recommend to the legislature changes 
1.8 	that are necessary to simplify and standardize the distribution of state aid for special 
1.9 	education. At a minimum, the task force shall consider and suggest legislative changes for 
1.10 	a weighted or points-based system that would be associated with each special education 
1.11 	student and used as a multiplier for determining state aid.
1.12 		Subd. 2.Membership. The task force must consist of 16 members appointed by the 
1.13 	commissioner of education by July 1, 2007. The membership must include two parents of 
1.14 	children with disabilities, four special education directors, two school administrators, one 
1.15 	representative of an advocacy organization for children with disabilities, and three school 
1.16 	board members from geographically diverse areas of the state. The commissioner shall 
1.17 	convene the first meeting and be an ex officio voting member of the task force. The task 
1.18 	force must include four senators appointed by the respective chairpersons, including one 
1.19 	minority and one majority member of the education policy committee and one minority 
1.20 	and one majority member of the E-12 education finance budget division.
1.21 		Subd. 3.Staff support. The Department of Education and any other state agency 
1.22 	shall provide information and other assistance requested by the task force.
1.23 		Subd. 4.Report. The task force shall submit its report to the house of representatives 
1.24 	and senate committees having jurisdiction over special education before January 15, 2008.
2.1 		Subd. 5.Expiration. This section expires January 30, 2008.