Posted on 04/10/24
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 9, 2024:
Dear Baltimore Community,
Over the last six years, I’ve heard from many parents of children with disabilities about the brutal process of obtaining an appropriate education for your children. The years of fighting with the school system that many of our parents endure is not okay.
As a member of the Ways and Means committee, I have spent a significant amount of time studying this issue and working on ways to change the current process. Last year, I sponsored legislation to shift the burden of proof in these cases from the parents to the school system. That bill faced a significant amount of opposition and ultimately did not pass.
Over the interim, I worked with the Chair of the Ways and Means committee on other solutions and we drafted legislation to establish a fund to assist eligible students in obtaining access to legal, advocacy and consultant services.
I am proud to inform you that this legislation that I co-sponsored passed both the House of Delegates and the Senate and has been sent to the Governor for his signature.
I am hopeful this legislation will help so many families in our community and am grateful for all the support this legislation received.
Here is the link to the final legislation that passed.
And, here is the link to the fiscal and policy note that explains the legislation in greater detail.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
Delegate Dalya Attar