Requires Special Education Checks for Inmates
District of Columbia · B26-0526 · Introduced Dec 1, 2025
Why it matters
Students who were never checked for learning needs could be evaluated while in custody. Residents could also track their complaints and service requests online.
What it does
- Requires special education evaluations for students not checked before entering custody
- Requires education services for people in custody who already have an IEP, a written special education plan
- Requires a public, searchable online system to track resident service requests and complaints
Status
Latest action (2026-10-16): Law L26-0188, Effective from Oct 02, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 013119 · Passed 13–0
About this bill
Would require the Department of Corrections to evaluate students for special education services if they were not evaluated before entering custody. Would also require an online, searchable system for resident complaints.
Leading Education Access for Reentry and Necessary Success (LEARNS) Amendment Act of 2025
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Education and reentry groups would likely say students in custody need evaluations to get help. Public tracking would likely make complaints easier to follow.
💬 The case against
Some corrections officials would likely say the new duties add costs and staff work. Some parts depend on funding that has not yet been approved.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
News
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