Think Differently About Education Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4259) to amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to require notification with respect to individualized education program teams, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 4259

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Think Differently about Education Act of 2023''. SEC. 2. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR IEP TEAMS.

Section 614(d)(1)(B) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)(B)) is amended--

(1) in clause (iv), by redesignating subclauses (I) through (III) as items (aa) through (cc), respectively (and by conforming the margins accordingly);

(2) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vii) as subclauses (I) through (VII), respectively (and by conforming the margins accordingly);

(3) in the matter preceding subclause (I), as so redesignated, by striking ``The term'' and inserting the following:

``(i) In general.--The term''; and

(4) by adding at the end the following:

``(ii) Notification required.--Within a reasonable timeframe prior to the first convening of the individualized education program team for a child with a disability for a school year, the local educational agency that serves such child shall notify the parent of such child that such parent may, under clause (i)(VI), include other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including related services personnel as appropriate, as part of the individualized education program team.''.

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Mr. BEAN of Florida. 4259.

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Mr. BEAN of Florida.

Mr. Speaker, all children, including children with learning disabilities, deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for full participation in society.

H.R. 4259, the Think Differently about Education Act of 2023, builds upon the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which gives teachers, parents, and schools the tools to ensure students in special education receive the opportunities they deserve.

H.R. 4259 would make it easier for families to ensure their children will have the tools they need to succeed in school. Every child has the potential to flourish when just given the right support.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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