HJR 80

UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1712
1A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Kentucky Department of Education to
2 submit a list of the resources provided to families during Individualized Education
3 Program process and related recommendations.
4WHEREAS, each public school student who receives special education and related
5 services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to ensure he or she
6 receives a free and appropriate public education; and
7WHEREAS, to develop an effective IEP, parents, teachers, other school staff, and
8 often the student come together to review the student's unique needs; and
9WHEREAS, for families with a student with an IEP, navigating the IEP process can
10 be overwhelming, as they want to ensure their child receives the support he or she needs;
11 and
12WHEREAS, in the 2024-2025 school year, 18% of Kentucky's public school
13 students had an IEP; and
14WHEREAS, the General Assembly recognizes the critical role an effective IEP
15 plays in a child's learning and personal growth; and
16WHEREAS, the General Assembly desires to ensure that families are equipped
17 with the tools they need to provide their children with the best education possible;
18NOW, THEREFORE,
19 Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
20Section 1. The Kentucky Department of Education is hereby directed to submit
21 to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to the appropriate interim joint
22 committees by December 1, 2026:
23(1)     A list identifying resources that the department provides to families of
24 children who have been found to need special education and related services, including
25 how to advocate for their child throughout the Child Find, Individualized Education
26 Program (IEP) development and maintenance, and transition processes; and
27(2)     Recommendations for consideration in the 2027 Regular Session on actions to
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UNOFFICIAL COPY  26 RS BR 1712
1 be taken to provide families additional support throughout the Child Find, IEP
2 development and maintenance, and transition processes.
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