Sponsor
Christopher Van Hollen
Senator · D-MD
The bill strengthens enforceable education rights and expands supports and funding for children with disabilities and their families, improving services but increasing federal spending and administrative burdens for states and school districts.
Children with disabilities (students) gain an enforceable right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment.
Parents and families obtain stronger partnership rights and procedural safeguards when developing individualized education and early intervention services for their children.
State and local schools receive programmatic support (early intervention, personnel preparation, technical assistance, and assistive technology) to better serve children with disabilities.
All taxpayers ultimately bear the cost of increased federal IDEA funding through annual appropriations.
State education agencies and local school districts may face increased administrative and compliance burdens from expanded mandates and supports.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Reaffirms the history, purposes, and key protections of IDEA and highlights early intervention, personnel supports, assistive technology access, and annual appropriations for Parts B, C, and D.
Senator · D-MD
Reaffirms the history, purpose, and core protections of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), noting its origin as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act and summarizing how IDEA guarantees a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment, parental partnership and procedural safeguards, early intervention (Part C), personnel preparation, technical assistance, assistive technology access, and annual congressional funding for IDEA Parts B, C, and D. The resolution restates Congressional recognition of IDEA’s role in expanding access and supports for children with disabilities and their families.
Official title: Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act on November 29, 2025, and recognizing its transformative impact on the education of children with learning disabilities.
Introduced December 2, 2025 by Christopher Van Hollen · Last progress December 2, 2025