HF 129 (LSB 1363YH (2) 90)

HOUSE FILE 129

BY  JONES

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a dyslexia service providers grant program and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  256.38  Dyslexia service providers grant program.
   1.  If moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for a fiscal year for the purpose provided in this section, the department shall establish and administer a dyslexia service providers grant program. The dyslexia service providers grant program shall provide grants to the parent or guardian of a student who is enrolled in a school district to help offset the cost associated with engaging the services of a dyslexia service provider who is highly trained in dyslexia and has a minimum of three years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders.
   2.  The state board shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the dyslexia service providers grant program, including rules related to grant application materials and evaluation criteria and determining the priority for grants.
   3.  A dyslexia service providers grant program fund is established in the state treasury. The fund shall be administered by the department and shall consist of moneys appropriated by the general assembly and other moneys received by the department for deposit in the fund. The moneys in the fund are appropriated to the department for the dyslexia service providers grant program. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys in the fund at the close of a fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the state but shall remain available for expenditure for the dyslexia service providers grant program for subsequent fiscal years. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, interest or earnings on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill establishes a dyslexia service providers grant program.
   The bill requires the department of education to establish and administer a dyslexia service providers grant program to provide grants to the parent or guardian of a student who is enrolled in a school district to help offset the cost associated with engaging the services of a dyslexia service provider, if moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for a fiscal year for this purpose.
   The bill requires the state board of education to adopt rules for the grant program, including rules related to grant application materials and evaluation criteria and determining the priority for grants.
   The bill establishes a dyslexia service providers grant program in the state treasury.