S-1266.2
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5253
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2025 Regular Session
By Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Cortes, Chapman, Conway, Frame, Krishnadasan, Liias, Nobles, Shewmake, Trudeau, Valdez, and C. Wilson; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction)
READ FIRST TIME 02/12/25.
AN ACT Relating to extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22; amending RCW 28A.155.020 , 28A.150.220 , 28A.155.170 , 28A.155.220 , 28A.190.030 , 28A.225.160 , 28A.225.230 , 28A.225.240 , 72.40.040 , and 72.40.060 ; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1)(a) The legislature finds that, with some exceptions, a state receiving federal funding under the federal individuals with disabilities education act is obligated to provide a free appropriate public education to children with disabilities "between the ages of 3 and 21, inclusive." However, the state is not obligated to serve youth with disabilities aged 18-21 if it would be inconsistent with state law or practice, or the order of any court, regarding the provision of public education to youth in that age range.
(b) The legislature observes that, under Washington law in effect in 2024, children with disabilities must be provided a free appropriate public education "between the ages of 3 and 21." When the 21st birthday of an individual with disabilities occurs during the school year, state administrative rule requires that special education services continue until the end of the school year.