Does your school district provide special education services to students 18 to 21? If so, it is important that you keep a close eye on HB-0040. This bill was recently introduced into the House of Representatives and proposes to amend the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/14-1.02). The current statutory language affords a student with a disability the right to continue to receive special education services from their school district until the day before their 22nd birthday. The new amendment will expand this timeline and allow a student who turns 22 during the school year to continue to receive special education services from the District for the entirety of that school year. While the extension of special education services for these students is seen as a potential positive for the individual student, many districts are concerned about the increased cost and equity implications this bill will create. Tressler will continue to keep a close eye on HB-0040 and promises to keep you updated on its status. Please feel free to reach out to Tressler attorneys if you have any questions about HB-0040 or any other special education matters.
For more information about this article, contact Tressler attorney Elizabeth Wagman at ewagman@tresslerllp.com.