SB678
Special ed. and related services; rights, etc., relating to education of children with disabilities.
Status:
In Senate
Latest Action:
Feb. 10, 2026
Senate: Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
Chief Patron:
Stella Pekarsky (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Department of Education; special education and related services; educational rights, protections, and duties relating to the education of children with disabilities; requirements.
Updates several provisions relating to the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE), as defined by the bill, including special education and related services, to children with disabilities in the Commonwealth to ensure such provisions are current and consistent with applicable federal law and regulations, including by (i) updating ... (More) several relevant definitions to bring such definitions up-to-date and (ii) amending several provisions of current law relating to the duties of the Board of Education, the Department of Education, and each school board in ensuring the provision of FAPE, including special education and related services, to children with disabilities in accordance with federal law and regulation. The bill also codifies several provisions of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and its implementing regulations, including provisions relating to (a) the educational rights of children with disabilities and their parents and the corresponding duties of the Board, Department, and school boards to protect such rights; (b) the evaluation, eligibility determination, and reevaluation of children for special education and related services; (c) the development, review, and revision of the individualized education plan of each child with disabilities, and (d) the procedural safeguards guaranteed to children with disabilities and their parents with respect to receiving a free appropriate public education. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/14/2026 - Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104346D
- 01/14/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health
- 01/22/2026 - Senate: Assigned Education sub: Public Education
- 01/22/2026 - Senate: Senate subcommittee offered
- 01/22/2026 - Senate: Senate subcommittee offered
- 01/23/2026 - Senate: Senate subcommittee offered
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 0-N 5-A)
- 02/05/2026 - Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
- 02/06/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 26106769D-S1
- 02/10/2026 - Senate: Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
