Bill Summary
The "Protecting Students with Disabilities Act" is a piece of legislation aimed at preserving the structure and function of offices within the Department of Education that are responsible for administering programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The Act specifically prohibits the use of federal funds to eliminate, consolidate, or restructure these offices, as well as to change the responsibilities of their personnel or outsource their functions to external entities. The legislation reinforces Congress's intent to maintain the established framework for supporting the education of children with disabilities, ensuring that these critical programs remain intact and properly managed within the Department of Education.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the "Protecting Students with Disabilities Act" could affect people:
1. **Stability in Special Education Services**: By prohibiting the restructuring or elimination of offices within the Department of Education that administer programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), this legislation helps ensure that families of children with disabilities can rely on consistent and stable services. It prevents potential disruptions in the delivery of special education programs and support services, which can be crucial for the educational success of these students.
2. **Job Security for Special Education Personnel**: The Act protects the jobs and responsibilities of personnel working within offices that administer IDEA-related programs. This means that educators, administrators, and support staff dedicated to working with students with disabilities will have job security, which can lead to a more experienced and dedicated workforce. This stability can positively impact the quality of education that students with disabilities receive.
3. **Limitation on Outsourcing Special Education Programs**: By prohibiting the delegation of IDEA program administration to external entities, the legislation ensures that oversight and accountability for these programs remain within the Department of Education. This can lead to more effective implementation of special education policies and a higher likelihood that the needs of students with disabilities are met according to federal standards, as opposed to being managed by potentially less qualified organizations.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2333 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2333
To prohibit the use of appropriated funds to eliminate, consolidate, or
otherwise restructure any office within the Department of Education
that administers or enforces programs under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 25, 2025
Mr. Mannion (for himself, Mrs. Hayes, and Mrs. McBath) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit the use of appropriated funds to eliminate, consolidate, or
otherwise restructure any office within the Department of Education
that administers or enforces programs under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting Students with
Disabilities Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Section 1402 of the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act explicitly states that the Office of Special
Education Programs shall be housed within the Department of
Education and tasked with administering and carrying out
programs and activities concerning the education of children
with disabilities.
(2) The executive branch does not have the unilateral
authority to alter this statutory framework. This Act reaffirms
Congress's intent and ensures compliance with existing statute.
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION.
None of the funds made available by Acts making appropriations may
be used to--
(1) eliminate, consolidate, or otherwise restructure any
office within the Department of Education that administers or
enforces programs under the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.);
(2) terminate, reassign, or alter the responsibilities of
any personnel of any such office; or
(3) contract with, or delegate to, any entity outside of
the Department of Education to administer or enforce such
programs.
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