(a) The Superintendent shall establish guidelines for the development of local plans, including a standard format for local plans, and provide assistance in the development of local plans. The purposes of the guidelines and assistance shall be to help districts and county offices benefit from the experience of other local agencies that implement programs under this part, including, but not limited to, reducing paperwork, increasing parental involvement, improving transparency, and providing effective staff development activities. To the extent possible, all forms, reports, and evaluations shall be designed to satisfy simultaneously state and federal requirements.

(b) On or before July 1, 2019, the department shall develop templates that shall be used by special education local plan areas, districts, and county superintendents of schools to meet the requirements of Sections 56195.1 and 56205.

(c) Commencing July 1, 2021, each local plan shall include an annual assurances support plan. The purpose of the annual assurances support plan is to demonstrate how the special education local plan area and its participating agencies are coordinating for purposes of assuring effective outcomes for pupils with disabilities. The department shall develop a template for the annual assurances support plan by July 1, 2020. The annual assurances support plan shall include all of the following elements:

(1) A description of how the governing board of the special education local plan area has determined that the special education local plan area will support participating agencies in achieving the goals, actions, and services identified in their local control and accountability plans.

(2) A description of how the governing board of the special education local plan area has determined that the special education local plan area will connect its participating agencies in need of technical assistance to the statewide system of support.

(3) A brief description of the services, technical assistance, and support the governing board of the special education local plan area has determined that it will provide in meeting the requirements under paragraphs (1) to (21), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 56205.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 51, Sec. 46. (SB 75) Effective July 1, 2019.)