Federal Legislation & News
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AZ: Bill aims to improve Arizona’s complaint process for students with disabilities
Arizona Capitol Times As the federal office investigating and resolving discrimination cases involving students with disabilities dissolves, advocates are turning to the Legislature to bolster and peer deeper into the state complaint system. The Office of Civil...
DC: DC judge allows lawsuit over special education bus service to move forward
WUSA A D.C. Superior Court judge has ruled that a class-action lawsuit accusing the District of failing to provide reliable transportation for students with disabilities can move forward, marking a significant step in a case that has been ongoing for more than two...
FL: Lawsuit against Florida voucher funding organization seeks ‘reform’, attorney says
WUSF The group of private school owners suing the organization in charge of handling half a million student vouchers in Florida are seeking amendments to improve the private school choice movement in Florida, their attorney said on Friday. This comes after state...
IA: Iowa house panel votes to require cameras in special education classrooms
kcrg In their final meeting before the first deadline of the 2026 legislative session, the House Education Committee moved forward with measures on Wednesday requiring cameras to be installed in special education classrooms and allowing firearms on school premises,...
MI: Vitti wants change to special education certification in Michigan
Bridge Detroit As the Detroit school district continues to experience special education teacher shortages, its superintendent is proposing ways for more teachers to enter the field. Nikolai Vitti, superintendent of Detroit Public Schools Community District, said due...
TX: Mother of special needs child reports challenges getting paperwork for $30,000 school voucher
CBS Texas Applications are open for families wanting to apply for the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA), but some students with special needs are having difficulty getting a new Individualized Education Program (IEP) to receive the largest voucher. Students with...
TX: As charters grow, HISD serves more students with disabilities
Houston Chronicle Charter schools now account for one-third of public campuses in Houston ISD's boundaries, a new report shows, contributing to the rapidly declining enrollment that is prompting officials to call for the closure of a dozen HISD campuses. Additionally,...
NM: New Mexico lawmakers debate bills on special education, student restraint
Santa Fe New Mexican New Mexico lawmakers are taking another pass at two measures that have stalled in previous years but that, supporters say, are critical to protecting vulnerable children and fixing the state’s special education system. Senate Bill 64...
TX: Austin ISD Exits State Oversight of Special Education Services
Austin Today After three years of state oversight, Austin Independent School District has regained control of its special education services. The Texas Education Agency had stepped in after an investigation revealed non-compliance with state mandates and a backlog of...
COPAA Files Amicus Brief in Second Circuit Court Regarding the Right of FAPE
Last week, COPAA filed an amicus brief with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in A.H., V.B. and N.B. v. New York City Department of Education. The brief urges the court to reverse the decision of the United States District Court for the...