AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER.

The Department may now designate a school district or other entity to administer the statewide ASD program, rather than the Department administering it directly. If no district is willing, the Department acts in that role.

Detailed qualifications added for the statewide Director: doctorate degree (or master's with extensive experience), minimum 10 years working with individuals with ASD, at least 5 years in a supervisory education role, graduate-level training in evidence-based practices, and experience leading professional development programs. Salary is tied to specific code sections.

Training specialist staffing changed from a fixed number of 5 to a formula of at least 1 per 100 students with ASD (determined by September 30 count), with a phase-in schedule starting at 2 in FY2019 and adding 2 more in FY2020. Detailed funding sources added including General Assembly appropriations, Department allocations, pass-through funds, tuition funds, fees for service, and other available funds.

Added provision allowing the program to purchase specialized services from outside contractors instead of hiring staff, with FTE value set at the state-supported salary for a master's-level teacher with 10 years of experience. State Board of Education may review objections to Department decisions.

The training and technical assistance is designated as a 3-year pilot program ending June 30, 2021 unless extended by the General Assembly. State appropriations must be phased in over several years starting FY2019 in equal increments.

Age range for students covered expanded from birth to age 21 to birth to age 22.

SMRB reporting frequency changed from every 3 years (first due October 1, 2028) to at least annually. SMRB now has explicit dispute resolution authority for disputes within or between public schools and the Director. Reports must be available on each school district or school website in addition to the Department website.

Public representative conflict of interest for SMRB narrowed: a representative may not have a child with ASD enrolled in a Delaware public school program during the representative's term of service (previously just stated they may not have such a child enrolled).