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Minutes for HB2322 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Revising the definition of "children with disabilities" for purposes of providing special education to replace emotional disturbance with emotional disability.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 7, 2023
Chairwoman Baumgardner opened the hearing.
The Revisor gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 4)
Proponent In-Person:
Timothy R. Graham, Director of Government Relations and Coalitions, Kansas National Education Association (KNEA), supports this bill stating changes in laws that use outdated, undignified or offensive references shows people that respect and kindness matter. KNEA would oppose any change in state statute that would make it more difficult to qualify for SPED funding or services. It is KNEA's understanding that this bill is written in a way that would not jeopardize this funding. (Attachment 5)
Leah Henderson, Licensed Master Social Worker, serving as an Autism and Behavioral Specialist, Central Kansas Cooperative in Education, has learned that Emotional Disturbance is the most controversial and burdensome eligibility labels to encounter. In child-focused stigma research, public stigma is condition specific, i.e. the general public reacts and responds differently according to the mental disorder or label that the person/child is presumed to have. We must stop the stigmatization of mental health and protect children from the labels that hinder their access to appropriate education and makes them targets based solely on a diagnosis. (Attachment 6)
Discussion followed.
Proponent Written Only:
Patty Jurich, President, Kansas-Parent Teacher Association (PTA) (Attachment 7)
Jon Smeeton, Ed.S., NCSP, Government and Professional Relations Representative, Kansas Association of School Psychologists (Attachment 8)
The Chair closed the hearing.
