WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 5665

AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE HIRING OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND PARAEDUCATORS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Biggins and 2 co-sponsors

Establishes a state matching grant program to help local districts hire special education teachers and paraeducators, boosting staffing and student access to services.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education
#boardsofeducation #grantsbythestate #schoolparaprofessionals #specialeducation #teachers
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5665

Summary — HB 5665

Title: AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE HIRING OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND PARAEDUCATORS
Introduced: April 2, 2025
Subject areas: Boards of education; State grants; School paraprofessionals; Special education; Teachers

Purpose

HB 5665 creates a state-level matching grant program intended to support local education agencies in hiring special education teachers and paraeducators. The stated aim is to expand and sustain workforce capacity for special education services by leveraging state funds to match local hiring investments.

Key provisions (based on bill title and legislative summary)

The bill’s text (title and legislative actions provided) indicates the following core elements. Readers should consult the full bill for precise statutory language, match rates, eligibility, funding levels, application procedures, and reporting requirements.

  • Establishment of a matching grant program specifically targeted at the hiring of:
    • Special education teachers, and
    • Paraeducators who support special education services.
  • Program administration is expected to be carried out by a state education agency or other designated state office (typical for grant programs of this type).
  • Grants are structured as matching funds — the state provides funds that match (partially or fully, per the bill text) funds committed by eligible local entities.
  • Eligible recipients are likely to include boards of education and other local school governance bodies; the bill’s subject list explicitly references boards of education.
  • The grants would be used to support hiring (and possibly retention) costs — e.g., salaries, benefits, or recruitment incentives — though exact allowable uses must be verified in the enacted text.
  • The program may include application, award, and reporting requirements and could specify duration, renewal, and any sunset or appropriation authority.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Local boards of education and school districts seeking support to hire special education teachers and paraeducators.
  • Secondary: Special education teachers, paraeducators, students with disabilities (who may benefit from increased staffing), families, and district human-resources and budgeting offices.
  • Fiscal: State budget (through grant appropriations) and local education budgets (which must provide the local match).

Legislative status and timeline

  • Filed: April 2, 2025 (initial referral to the Joint Committee on Education also recorded Jan. 21, 2025).
  • Committee process: Multiple public hearings (April 17 & 24, 2025); reported favorably without amendment and recommended to Local & Consent/Uncontested Calendar (May 22, 2025).
  • Floor action: Passed the House (May 7, 2025); passed the Senate after readings and votes (May 28–31, 2025).
  • Enactment: Sent to the Governor (May 31, 2025). Filed without the Governor’s signature and became effective immediately on June 20, 2025.

Impact and considerations

  • Potential positive impacts: increased staffing for special education services, lower caseloads, improved service delivery and student outcomes, and stronger recruitment/retention incentives.
  • Fiscal considerations: Requires state appropriations for the matching grants and local budget commitments for matching funds; net impact depends on match rate and appropriation size.
  • Implementation details (eligibility criteria, match ratio, funding caps, reporting and oversight) will determine how broadly and quickly the program expands special education staffing.

For precise legal language, funding amounts, match formulas, and administrative rules, consult the enacted bill text as enrolled and any related appropriation or administrative guidance issued by the state education agency.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.