Decision-making options once child reaches eighteen years of age

Not later than July 1, 2024, the Department of Education shall, in consultation with disability rights advocacy groups in the state, develop a plain-language online resource for students and parents, guardians or surrogate parents of a child who is age fourteen or older and requires special education and related services to provide information and training resources about decision-making options once such child reaches eighteen years of age. Such online resource shall include, but need not be limited to, information concerning the (1) rights of the child and parent upon such child reaching age eighteen pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1415(m), and (2) alternatives to guardianship and conservatorship, including supported decision-making, powers of attorney, advance directives, and other decision-making alternatives. The department shall (A) post such online resource in an easily accessible location of its Internet web site, and (B) provide information concerning such online resource to (i) the State Education Resource Center, established pursuant to section 10-357a, for inclusion in the online listing developed pursuant to section 10-74n, and (ii) each local and regional board of education for distribution to parents and guardians at a planning and placement team meeting in accordance with subparagraph (F) of subdivision (10) of subsection (a) of section 10-76d. The department shall update such online resource as necessary. As used in this section, “supported decision-making” means a tool that is utilized by a person with a disability to retain decision-making authority through assistance from one or more persons of the individual's choosing in understanding the nature and consequences of potential personal and financial decisions and in communicating such decisions.