THEODORE R. McKELDIN, GOVERNOR                   1239

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

No. 1
(Senate Joint Resolution 2)

Joint Resolution requesting the Governor to.appoint a special commis-
sion to study the problem of pre-school training for handicapped
children.

The members of the General Assembly of Maryland have learned
with interest and sympathy of the special problems in the education
of young children with handicaps.

for years the State of Maryland has contributed to the cost of
special training and facilities for handicapped children of normal
school age, beginning with age six. While this program has been a
most valuable one to the youngsters concerned, it has not met the
needs that some of them have for special education during earlier
years, from the time they are but two or three years of age.

Some counties in the State have developed broad programs of
special education for handicapped children. Specially equipped school
buses take them to central locations from all parts of the county,
where they are given expert care, under the advice of a physician
and under the supervision of occupational and physical therapists,
psychologists, and others trained in the techniques of special
education.

In addition to gauging the State-wide need for special education for
pre-school children who are handicapped, the State must consider
whether it wishes to add to its present educational responsibilities,
which assume the burden of public education only from the age of six.
Also, there is a special committee of experts in the field of education
which has been doing intensive work on the subject of training
methods and education of the handicapped. The results of this
study should be secured, and the entire subject is one which needs
the study and consideration of a special commission appointed for
this purpose alone.

Now therefore be it,

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
Governor of Maryland be requested to appoint a special commission
of persons who are interested in the educational problems of handi-
capped children of pre-school age, to consider the needs for extend-
ing the State's present educational responsibilities in order to give
financial assistance where needed for this type of education; and that
this commission be requested to report the results of its study, to-
gether with any pertinent recommendations, to the members of the
General Assembly and of the Legislative Council, not later than
October 1, 1955.

EXPLANATION: Italics indicate new matter added to existing law.
[Brackets] indicate matter stricken from existing law.
CAPITALS indicate amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken out of bill.