This bill makes a simple but important change to how schools handle special education planning. When a school creates an Individualized Education Program (IEP)—which is basically a customized education plan for students with disabilities—the school must now actively tell parents that they have the right to bring in extra people to help develop that plan. These could be specialists like speech therapists, occupational therapists, or anyone else with special knowledge about the child's needs. Right now, schools can include these experts, but parents might not realize they can request them. This bill requires schools to notify parents upfront about this option, giving families more power to shape their child's education plan by bringing in the professionals they think will help most.

Empowering Families in Special Education Act

Schmitt, Eric

Empowering Families in Special Education ActThis bill establishes a notification requirement related to an individualized education program (IEP). (Generally, IEPs are individualized plans to ensure that a child with a disability receives a free appropriate public education.)Under current law, states and local educational agencies (LEAs) must convene a team to develop an IEP. The composition of the team that develops the IEP is outlined in current law and allows for other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child (including related services personnel, as appropriate) to participate in this team. This bill requires the LEA that serves the child to notify the child's parents of their right to include these other individuals with knowledge or special expertise on the child's IEP team.