On July 10, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA) reintroduced the IDEA Full Funding Act, S. 2217 in the Senate and H.R. 4519 in the House. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would finally ensure Congress' commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Full funding for IDEA has long been a priority for NSBA and its members. In support of the legislation, NSBA Executive Director and CEO Verjeana McCotter-Jacobs made the following statement:

“School boards and educators are committed to providing students with disabilities and their families the supports they need to become working, contributing, engaging members of society. However, for far too long the federal government has failed to meet its IDEA funding commitment. The federal government must begin providing the level of dedicated annual funding for students with disabilities commensurate not only with IDEA’s vision and goals, but also with our moral commitment to these vitally important students and their families. NSBA strongly supports the IDEA Full Funding Act, which will establish a clear path towards fully achieving the federal share of resources needed to address the unique needs of our students with disabilities. We thank Senator Van Hollen and Representative Huffman for their leadership on this issue and we appreciate the bipartisan support from the bill’s many co-sponsors.”

Read Van Hollen's press release on the legislation or access the bill text.