Sec. 10-11b. Commissioner's submission of application for waiver of federal law. Legislative review. Public hearing. Procedural requirements.

(a) On and after July 1, 2015, the Commissioner of Education shall submit any application for a federal waiver of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, 20 USC 6301, et seq., as amended from time to time, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education prior to the submission of any such application to the federal government. Not later than thirty days after the date of its receipt of such application, said joint standing committee shall hold a public hearing on the waiver application. At the conclusion of a public hearing held in accordance with the provisions of this section, said joint standing committee shall advise the commissioner of its recommendations, if any, with regards to the commissioner's waiver application.

(b) If in developing the budget for the Department of Education for the next fiscal year, the commissioner contemplates applying for a federal waiver to the federal government, the commissioner shall notify the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education of the possibility of such application.

(c) Prior to submission of an application for a waiver from said Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education under subsection (a) of this section, the commissioner shall publish a notice that the commissioner intends to seek such a waiver to the federal government in the Connecticut Law Journal, along with a summary of the provisions of the waiver application and the manner in which individuals may submit comments. The commissioner shall allow fifteen days for written comments on the waiver application prior to submission of the application for a waiver to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education under subsection (a) of this section and shall include all written comments with the waiver application submitted to said joint standing committee.

(d) The commissioner shall include with any waiver application submitted to the federal government pursuant to this section: (1) Any written comments received pursuant to subsection (c) of this section; and (2) the recommendations of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education issued pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, including any additional written comments submitted to said joint standing committee at such proceedings. Said joint standing committee shall transmit any such materials to the commissioner for inclusion with any such waiver application.

(June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5, S. 300.)

History: June Sp. Sess. P.A. 15-5 effective July 1, 2015.