CT SB00424

State Department of Education must annually compile and publish district-by-district data on the number of K-12 public school students with Section 504 plans, beginning July 1, 2026

Commissioner of Education must establish a working group to review Section 504 plans, including staffing requirements, and submit a report with best practices and recommendations by January 1, 2027

Office of the Educational Ombudsperson receives expanded powers including authority to hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, issue interrogatories, and employ legal staff; also gains jurisdiction over disability discrimination complaints involving students with IEPs or 504 plans in public schools

Bureau of Special Education must modify the special education data system to better accommodate Section 504 plan reporting requirements and provide increased oversight to support students with such plans

Multiple assessments required: needs assessment for social worker/counselor ratios for students with IEPs and 504 plans; identification of school services eligible for Medicaid reimbursement; and strategic plan to increase school social worker and counselor capacity in the state