CHAPTER 546

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered
22-9.1:1 through 22-9.1:6, relating to programs of special education
for hearing impaired children.

[S 458]

Approved April 4, 1968

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding sections numbered
22-9.1:1 through 22-9.1 :6, as follows:

§ 22-9.1:1. The State Board of Education shall prepare a program
of special education designed to educate hearing impaired children of
ages two to twenty who require such a program to attain a scholastic
achievement commensurate with their ability.

§ 22-9.1:2. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and reg-
ulations to implement the purposes of this act.

§ 22-9.1:3. The State Board of Education, from funds provided by
law, shall assist localities in employing and paying teachers for such
special instruction provided under this act.

§ 22-9.1:4. In any county, city or town, if the town be a separate
school district approved for operation, which does not provide special
classes or special instruction for the education of hearing impaired chil-
dren as defined in § 22-9.1:1, and such instruction is not available to
such children in the State schools for the deaf and the blind, and the
parents of such children pay for their attendance at a private nonsectarian
school approved by the State Board of Education, the school board of such
county, city or town operating as a separate town school district, shall
reimburse the parent or guardian of such child or children for each school
year in an amount to be specified by law. Of the total reimbursement,
the local school board shall be reimbursed 60% from State funds as are
appropriated for this purpose.

§ 22-9.1:5. Notwithstanding any provision of law limiting the power
of counties, cities and towns to levy taxes and to appropriate funds for
educational purposes, in addition to the power granted such counties, cities
and towns under other provisions of law to levy taxes and appropriate
funds for educational purposes, the governing body of any county, city
or town is hereby authorized and empowered to appropriate and expend
funds of the county, city or town in furtherance of the education of handi-
capped children as defined in § 22-9.1:1 residing in such county, city
or town and who attend private nonsectarian schools whether within or
without the local school district and whether within or without the Com-
monwealth. Local school boards shall adopt rules and regulations govern-
ing the expenditure of such local funds.

8 22-9.1:6. The provisions of §§ 22-9.1:1 through 22-9.1:4 of this
act shall be effective on and after July 1, 1970, but this provision shall
not be construed to restrict or prohibit the use of any other Federal,
State, or local funds made available under any other Federal, State or
local appropriation or grant.