Washington, DC – Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Jim Langevin (RI-02) along with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) announced the introduction of the Protection and Advocacy in Education Act (H.R. 9100), legislation that would help students with disabilities receive the educational support to which they are legally entitled. This bill would provide Protection and Advocacy Systems (P&As) with direct funding to ensure the rights of students are upheld.
“While 15% of public school students in the U.S. have a documented disability, we are not effectively providing them with the resources and support they need to thrive in the classroom, contributing to lower graduation rates and higher rates of seclusion for these students,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Langevin and Senator Hassan that will provide critical funding to support the needs of students with disabilities, helping to ensure we live up to our promise of equity in education for all students.”
“I have heard too many stories of schools failing to meet the needs of students with disabilities, contributing to poor educational outcomes and harmful isolation. The status quo is unacceptable – these students and their families deserve an advocate in their corner to ensure they receive an effective education,” said Rep. Langevin, co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus. “We have to do more to support these students so that they have every opportunity to succeed. This legislation will do just that, and I’m proud to partner with Congressman DeSaulnier and Senator Hassan to make it happen.”
“As a mother with a son who experiences disabilities, I learned firsthand the importance of advocacy to ensure that he received the support he needed in the classroom. My experience is far from unique, and we must make sure that the rights of people with disabilities are fully protected in all places, including at school,” said Senator Hassan. “This bill would enable Granite State students with disabilities and their parents to get help advocating for the education that they deserve – and are entitled to. I will continue to work to make sure that people with disabilities are fully included in our society.”
The P&A system is a congressionally-mandated, state-implemented program that provides legal and advocacy support to people with disabilities to help them gain access to health care, employment, housing, transportation, financial benefits, and education and to protect them from abuse and neglect. P&As are part of a larger network of organizations that are dedicated to providing support to students with disabilities and their families. While 30% of P&A cases are focused on individuals with disabilities in education settings, there is currently no dedicated funding for P&A education work. The Protection and Advocacy in Education Act would correct this by providing funding specifically for education cases. This legislation is supported by National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems, as well as The Advocacy Institute; Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates; National Center for Parent Leadership, Advocacy, and Community Empowerment (National PLACE); PACER Center; and SPAN Parent Advocacy Network.
Congressman DeSaulnier is a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
