Senate Budget & Appropriations Moves Special Ed Ombudsman Legislation

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The Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee approved legislation, S-451, that would establish a special education ombudsman in the state Department of Education.

The ombudsman would serve as a resource to parents, students and educators, providing them with information on special-education rights and services. The ombudsman also would provide information on resolving disputes between parents and school districts, identify patterns of complaints and make recommendations to the Department of Education.

The bill’s primary sponsors are Sens. Teresa Ruiz and Diane Allen.  An identical bill, A-1103, advanced out of the Assembly Education Committee in June.