AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE DEFINITION OF RESIDENT STUDENTS AND THE PER PUPIL AMOUNTS PAID UNDER THE EDUCATION COST SHARING GRANT.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Tom O'Dea

HB 6451 rewrites who counts as a resident student for ECS funding and adjusts per-pupil amounts, reshaping district allocations and student funding eligibility.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education

#educationequalization(educationcostsharing)

HB 6451 — Summary

Overview

HB 6451 is titled: AN ACT CONCERNING REVISIONS TO THE DEFINITION OF RESIDENT STUDENTS AND THE PER PUPIL AMOUNTS PAID UNDER THE EDUCATION COST SHARING GRANT. The bill aims to revise how “resident students” are defined for education funding purposes and to adjust the per-pupil amounts allocated under the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) grant. As introduced, the bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Education (January 24, 2025).

Purpose and Intent

Align residency criteria used for ECS funding with policy goals related to equalization and fairness across districts.

Rebalance or recalibrate per-pupil ECS funding amounts to reflect the revised residency definitions and funding priorities.

Ensure the ECS program continues to support districts with varying enrollment patterns and student compositions in a transparent and administratively feasible manner.

Key Provisions (inferred from the title)

Redefinition of “resident student”: The bill would change the criteria used to determine which students are counted as residents for ECS funding. Possible changes could involve age, enrollment status, residency verification, foster care status, or other residency indicators.

Per-pupil ECS funding adjustments: The bill would modify the per-pupil amount paid under the ECS grant. This could include changes by grade level, district type, or student category, and may introduce transitional provisions or phased adjustments.

Implementation details: The bill would likely specify an effective date and any transition period to allow districts and the state to adjust to the new definitions and funding amounts.

What would be affected

School districts: Funding allocations could shift based on the new residency definition and revised per-pupil amounts; districts may need to modify residency verification processes and budgeting.

Students and families: Depending on residency outcomes, some students’ funding eligibility or funding level could change under ECS.

State education finance administration: Administrative rules, data collection, and reporting requirements may be updated to reflect the new definitions and amounts.

Timeline and Next Steps

Current status: Introduced and referred to the Joint Committee on Education.

Next steps: Committee consideration, public hearings, potential amendments, and a draft report to the full legislature. If advanced, the bill would move through floor debates and voting processes.

Notes

Specific provisions, dollar figures, and effective dates are not provided in the information available. The actual text will define the precise criteria for residency and the formula for per-pupil ECS amounts.