Amends State funding calculations for special education, revising extraordinary cost calculations for FY 2028-2029, and providing additional funds for excess costs when special education students move into a district after the budget is approved.

Plain-English Summary

This bill proposes changes to how Rhode Island calculates and distributes state funding for special education services in public schools. Specifically, it updates the formula used to determine "extraordinary costs" — the extra expenses schools incur when educating students with significant disabilities or complex needs — with new calculations set to take effect in the 2028-2029 school year. These extraordinary cost calculations help determine how much additional state money a school district receives when the cost of educating a special education student far exceeds the typical amount.

The bill also addresses a practical challenge that school districts currently face: what happens when a student with special education needs moves into a district *after* the school year's budget has already been approved. Under current rules, districts may be left without adequate funding to cover those unexpected costs mid-year. This bill would provide additional state funds to help cover those "excess costs" in such situations, giving districts a financial safety net for unplanned enrollment.

The people most directly affected are local school districts, school administrators, and — most importantly — students with disabilities and their families. For districts, this means more predictable and potentially more adequate funding when taking on students with higher-needs services. For families of students with special needs, it could mean their child's new school district has the resources necessary to properly support them, even if the family moved mid-year. The bill has been introduced and referred to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.