[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5705-H5706]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT EDUCATION ACT OF 2023

  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4259) to amend the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act to require notification with respect to individualized 
education program teams, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4259

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Think Differently about 
     Education Act of 2023''.

     SEC. 2. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT FOR IEP TEAMS.

       Section 614(d) of the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)) is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:

[[Page H5706]]

       ``(8) Notification required.--At the beginning of each 
     school year, each local educational agency, State educational 
     agency, or other State agency, as the case may be, shall 
     notify each parent of a child with a disability in the 
     agency's jurisdiction that such parent may, under paragraph 
     (1)(B)(vi), include individuals who have knowledge or special 
     expertise regarding the child, including related services 
     personnel as appropriate, as part of the individualized 
     education program team for such child.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Bean) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and insert extraneous materials on H.R. 4259.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4259, the Think 
Differently about Education Act of 2023.
  America's children are our Nation's future leaders, and they deserve 
to be equipped with the resources they need to succeed in the 
classroom. This is something that everyone can and should agree on. 
Every child, including children with learning differences, has unique 
needs that must be met and understood by teachers and school 
administrators.
  H.R. 4259 builds on existing progress achieved by the Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act by adding another layer of critical 
protections for parents of children with disabilities.
  Under this legislation, educational agencies would be required to 
properly inform parents of their right to bring in outside experts who 
can advocate for the best interests of their children when it comes to 
their education. Specifically, Mr. Speaker, this bill will improve 
families' ability to advocate for their children to receive an 
education that allows them to flourish.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a solution that safeguards parental rights and 
reaffirms the fundamental role of parents in the care, upbringing, and 
education of their children. The simple truth is that every child has 
the potential to flourish when given the right support.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw the motion to suspend the rules and agree to 
the bill H.R. 4259.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The motion is withdrawn.

                          ____________________