During a recent school board meeting, members discussed a legislative proposal concerning early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities. The proposed bill, identified as 00921, aims to amend public health law by increasing funding for these essential services by 11% for the 2023 fiscal year. This would raise the gross statewide funding from $40 million to $44.4 million.

The board noted that the bill is currently stalled at the committee level as of January 24, with local legislator William Conrad serving as its sponsor. However, the absence of a companion bill and the impending end of the legislative session raise concerns about the bill's future viability. If it does not progress, the proposal may effectively lapse, necessitating a new sponsor and the introduction of a fresh bill to revive the initiative.

The school board emphasized the importance of early intervention services and the need for continued advocacy to ensure that funding is secured for the benefit of affected children and their families.