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When Christina Martin’s 9-year-old daughter Vinaya was diagnosed with a rare neurodevelopmental disorder and autism as a toddler, Martin was thrust into an unfamiliar world. In the years since, the Kenner parent has spent countless hours navigating the complexities of special education and learning the ins and outs of federal and state disabilities law. But even for a parent as knowledgeable and engaged as Martin, making sure her daughter receives the services she needs to excel in school still feels like an uphill battle. “When you’re constantly having to advocate, question decisions and just fight to be heard,” Martin said in a recent interview, “you start to realize that the system isn’t really built for us.” Now, Martin and other advocates are working with a state lawmaker to make it easier for parents to take action when they believe schools aren’t meeting their children’s needs.

The bill aims to shift the burden of proof in due process hearings from parents to schools, which would have to show that they provided the necessary services and support to students with disabilities. The House Education Committee approved the bill on Wednesday, sending it to the full House for a vote.

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