STRICT DISCIPLINE ACADEMIES S.B. 194: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 194 (as introduced 2-13-07)
Sponsor: Senator Michael Switalski
Committee: Appropriations
Date Completed: 3-27-07
CONTENT
Currently, under Section 1311g of the Revised School Code, strict discipline academies are not intended to enroll or educate individuals who are committed to a high- or medium-security juvenile facility operated by the Department of Human Services (DHS) or another State department or agency. Further, under current law, if the DHS, Department of Corrections, or another State department or agency has custody of a child, that State department or agency is financially responsible for educating the child.
Public Act 342 of 2006 (the fiscal year 2006-07 School Aid budget) transferred the educational costs for such individuals from the DHS budget to the K-12 budget. Section 1311g of the Revised School Code, however, does not recognize that the DHS is no longer responsible for the financial costs of educating children for whom the Department has custody. Senate Bill 194 would amend Section 1311g to allow the DHS to operate strict discipline academies to educate individuals committed to high- or medium-security juvenile facilities, and indicate that the DHS would not have financial responsibility for these individuals.
MCL 380.1311g
FISCAL IMPACT
As mentioned above, the fiscal impact of this bill has already been recognized with an appropriation of $3.0 million in the current year's School Aid budget. This expenditure pays for the educational costs of individuals in high- or medium-security juvenile facilities operated by the DHS, or for whom the DHS has custody; the costs previously were borne by the DHS. This bill is necessary to fully implement Public Act 342 of 2006.
Fiscal Analyst: Kathryn Summers-Coty
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. 194/0708