Bill > HB07219

This bill aims to codify and strengthen protections for students with disabilities in Connecticut's educational system, focusing on ensuring equal access and opportunities across all educational programs and activities. The bill provides comprehensive definitions of disability, including physical and mental impairments that substantially limit major life activities, and establishes that no qualified student with a disability can be excluded from, denied benefits of, or discriminated against in any educational program or activity. Local and regional boards of education are required to provide free appropriate public education to students with disabilities, integrate these students into regular educational environments to the maximum extent possible, and ensure they have equal access to academic and non-academic services. The bill mandates that schools develop individualized evaluation procedures, create placement strategies that consider student needs, establish procedural safeguards for parents, and provide nonacademic services like counseling, transportation, and extracurricular activities without discrimination. Additionally, boards must designate a coordinator for disability compliance, adopt grievance procedures, notify parents about non-discrimination policies, and annually identify and locate students with disabilities who might need educational services. The legislation applies to preschool, elementary, secondary, and adult education programs, with the overarching goal of protecting the educational rights and opportunities of students with disabilities.

Education

Education Committee (J)

https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB07219&which_year=2025