There are many bills under consideration related to the education of children with disabilities. Here are a few:
SB 186 (Dunnavant) deals with the somewhat controversial issue of sex ed for children with complex disabilities. The bill would require the State Department of Education to develop guidelines for IEP teams to consider relating to safety, boundary setting and other age-appropriate skills. The Senate Committee on Education and Health unanimously approved the bill this morning, January 9, with several advocacy groups speaking in favor.
HB 134 (Runion) is the House version of SB 186.
HB 231 (Freitas) deals with the costs associated with children removed, by the parents, to alternate placements.
HB 308 (Hope) requires excused absences for students addressing mental health or behavioral issues.
SB 171 (Locke) deals with the training of school resources officers.
We are reviewing hundreds of bills that will be considered by the Virginia General Assembly this year that could impact people with disabilities. At the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV), we do our best to stay on top of the most important issues for people with disabilities, but clearly we cannot know everything! If you know of bills related to disability rights in the legislature that you think we should be tracking, please contact us. You can reach us by email at info@dlcv.org or by calling 1-800-552-3962 or 804-225-2042.
The mission of dLCV is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.