Bill > HR3939

This bill, known as the "Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act" (RISE Act), aims to improve support for college students with disabilities by amending the Higher Education Act of 1965. The bill introduces several key provisions to make it easier for students with disabilities to access accommodations and support in higher education. First, it expands the definition of disability documentation, allowing institutions to accept various forms of evidence such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section 504 plans, disability records from schools or healthcare professionals, and service-related disability documentation. Institutions must adopt transparent policies for determining disability accommodations and disseminate this information accessibly to students, parents, and faculty. The bill also requires colleges to submit key data about students with disabilities to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), including the total number of enrolled students with disabilities and those receiving accommodations, while protecting individual student privacy. Additionally, the bill authorizes $10 million in funding for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these changes do not alter existing rights or definitions under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring continued protection of disability rights in educational settings.

Labor and Employment

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3939/all-info