July 13th, 2023 by WCBC Radio

Maryland U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman of California have introduced a bill to require the federal government to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Titled the IDEA Full Funding Act, the bill would make sure Congress fulfills its commitment to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  In the initial legislation, the federal government committed to pay 40 percent of the average per pupil expenditure for special education. However, that pledge has never been met, and current funding is at less than 13 percent. The new law would require regular, mandatory increases in IDEA spending to “finally meet our obligation to America’s children and schools.” The bill is co-sponsored by over 20 Senators and over 60 House members.