AN ACT CONCERNING OVERSIGHT OF PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973 AND SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS IN THE STATE.

This bill establishes the Office of the Educational Ombudsperson within the state's Office of Governmental Accountability to assist students, families, and schools with special education and related educational issues. The office will be led by a governor-appointed official with expertise in educational advocacy and special education law, and will have the authority to investigate complaints, hold hearings, and subpoena witnesses. Additionally, the bill requires the State Department of Education to publicly report annually on the number of students with Section 504 plans and to convene a working group to review how schools provide accommodations to these students.