Education (Special Education)

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 424: AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OF PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 AND SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS IN THE STATE.

This bill establishes the Office of the Educational Ombudsperson within the state's Office of Governmental Accountability to assist students, families, and schools with special education and related educational issues. The office will be led by a governor-appointed official with expertise in educational advocacy and special education law, and will have the authority to investigate complaints, hold hearings, and subpoena witnesses. Additionally, the bill requires the State Department of Education to publicly report annually on the number of students with Section 504 plans and to convene a working group to review how schools provide accommodations to these students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes an ombudsperson office to protect students with special education needs, enhance educational access, and strengthen oversight of special education plans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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signed · Connecticut · Senate Jun 4, 2026

SB 138: AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SB 138 revises Connecticut's charter school approval process. It limits charter school enrollment to 250 students or 25% of a district's total enrollment (whichever is smaller) and prioritizes applications serving students in low-performing districts, priority school districts, or specific groups like multilingual learners or those with special education needs. The State Board of Education must review charter applications for schools located in districts with "commissioner's network" schools or low achievement ratings. The bill also updates non-discrimination protections to include gender identity in school admissions policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrioritizes charter applications serving low-performing districts, multilingual learners, and students with special needs, aiming to improve educational access and equity for underserved groups in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 35: AN ACT CONCERNING FULL REIMBURSEMENT OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S EXCESS COST FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.

SB 35 requires state reimbursement to school districts for all extra costs incurred providing special education services beyond standard funding. It directly affects local and regional school boards by ensuring they receive full payment for these "excess costs" instead of partial reimbursement under current rules. The bill amends existing law to mandate that districts be paid 100% of the difference between actual special education costs and the state's allocated grant amount. This changes the current system to fully cover these expenses, making districts "whole" as stated in the bill's purpose.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 100% state reimbursement for special education excess costs, increasing state education funding without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 100% state reimbursement for special education excess costs, directly increasing school district funding for K-12 special education services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 309: AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A CONTINGENCY SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANT, A PROHIBITION ON PRIVATE EQUITY IN SPECIAL EDUCATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING GROUP TO CONSIDER INNOVATIONS IN THE PROVISION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.

SB 309 creates a new contingency grant to cover unanticipated special education costs exceeding twice a district's current per-student spending for students needing services after March 1st, effective July 2027. It prohibits the state from approving private special education providers owned or operated by private equity firms (non-publicly traded investment companies) starting July 2026. The bill also establishes a working group, including representatives from both approved and ineligible private providers, to study public-private partnership innovations and expand eligibility for private providers, with a report due by January 2027. These changes directly affect local school districts receiving grants, private education providers, and state education officials overseeing funding and approvals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state contingency grant for special education funding, aligns with funding essential public services per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates contingency grant for special education costs, prohibits private equity in special ed providers, and establishes working group for service innovations, directly advancing funding and protection for special education services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 143: AN ACT ENTITLING TOWNS TO FULL REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE EXCESS COST GRANT.

SB 143 amends state law to require full reimbursement for special education costs from towns under the existing excess cost grant program. It directly affects towns that provide special education services by ensuring they receive 100% of eligible costs back, rather than partial reimbursement. The key provision updates Section 10-76g of the general statutes to eliminate current limitations on reimbursement amounts. This is a procedural change to the state’s funding mechanism, not a new program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill requires full state reimbursement for special education costs, increasing state spending on public education funding by eliminating partial town reimbursement.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnsures full state reimbursement for special education costs, directly increasing funding certainty for towns providing these services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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in committee · Connecticut · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 5329: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE CONNECTICUT EDUCATION INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

HB 5329 creates Connecticut's Education Innovation Grant Program, which provides competitive funding to local school districts, charter schools, and approved nonprofits to develop and scale educational projects. The program prioritizes initiatives improving early literacy (birth-grade 8), high-dosage tutoring, college/career navigation, and family engagement. Grants support planning (up to 1 year) or implementation (up to 3 years), with waivers allowed for non-essential barriers (excluding safety, civil rights, or special education rules). Recipients must report annual outcomes, and districts receiving grants are exempt from counting those funds toward future education budget calculations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded grant program for education initiatives, increasing public service funding through state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates competitive grants for early literacy, tutoring, and college navigation programs, directly funding educational innovation in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Special Education

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 5002: AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION FUNDING, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS.

HB 5002 updates Connecticut's foundational education funding formula. It sets a base funding amount of $11,525 per student for fiscal years ending June 30, 2024-2026, then adjusts this amount annually based on the higher of personal income growth or inflation (as defined in state law) for all subsequent years. This change directly affects public school districts statewide by altering how state education funding is calculated and distributed. The bill does not modify specific programs for special education or early childhood services, as referenced in its title, but updates the core funding mechanism used to determine district allocations. The new formula takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes higher base education funding ($11,525/student) with annual inflation-adjusted increases, directly strengthening state education budget allocation for public schools.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationSets base $11,525/student with annual inflation/income adjustments, directly increasing state education funding for all public school districts per bill's funding formula update.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 139: AN ACT INCREASING THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EXPANSION DEVELOPMENT GRANT.

SB 139 increases the state appropriation for the Special Education and Expansion Development Grant by $191 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. This funding directly supports students with special education needs and helps school districts manage unpredictable costs associated with special education services. The bill amends existing law to boost the grant amount, aiming to stabilize school district budgets and ensure consistent support for these students. It does not alter eligibility or service requirements but provides additional financial resources for existing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state appropriation by $191M for special education, directly funding public services and stabilizing school budgets per bill language.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases $191M for special education grant, directly funding K-12 support for students with special needs and stabilizing school district budgets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Special Education

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in committee · Connecticut · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 5325: AN ACT CONCERNING SPECIAL EDUCATION.

HB 5325 restricts school seclusion to emergency situations only (to prevent immediate injury), banning its use for discipline, convenience, or as a planned intervention in student plans. It requires constant monitoring, cameras, and clear visibility (via windows) in all seclusion rooms. The bill also mandates annual reports on special education spending and updates contract rules for private service providers. These changes directly affect students in special education, school staff, and private providers offering these services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts non-emergency seclusion in special education (safety), mandates monitoring/cameras (safeguards), and requires spending transparency (accountability), directly protecting students and improving program oversight in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 5207: AN ACT CONCERNING THE FULL FUNDING OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EXPANSION DEVELOPMENT GRANT.

HB 5207 requires the state to fully fund the Special Education and Expansion Development Grant for public schools during the 2027 fiscal year. It amends state law to ensure complete state funding for this grant, which supports special education programs and school expansion initiatives. The bill directly affects school districts that receive this grant, guaranteeing consistent financial support for these services. This policy change specifies full funding without altering program requirements or adding new provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates full state funding for special education grant, increasing budget allocation for public education services without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates full state funding for special education and school expansion grants, ensuring consistent financial support for these programs without reducing or restricting services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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