[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 149 (Tuesday, September 24, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5706-H5707]
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, as amended.
  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)(1)(B) of the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(1)(B)) is amended--
       (1) in clause (iv), by redesignating subclauses (I) through 
     (III) as items (aa) through (cc), respectively (and by 
     conforming the margins accordingly);
       (2) by redesignating clauses (i) through (vii) as 
     subclauses (I) through (VII), respectively (and by conforming 
     the margins accordingly);
       (3) in the matter preceding subclause (I), as so 
     redesignated, by striking ``The term'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(i) In general.--The term''; and
       (4) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Notification required.--Within a reasonable 
     timeframe prior to the first convening of the individualized 
     education program team for a child with a disability for a 
     school year, the local educational agency that serves such 
     child shall notify the parent of such child that such parent 
     may, under clause (i)(VI), include other individuals who have 
     knowledge or special expertise regarding the child, including 
     related services personnel as appropriate, as part of the 
     individualized education program team.''.

  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 include extraneous material 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 reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1800

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 4259, the Think 
Differently about Education Act.
  The bill requires schools to notify parents of their rights under the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Parents can invite experts 
with specialized knowledge of their child to attend the child's 
individualized education program meeting. This is important because key 
decisions are being made about their child's education in this meeting.
  This proposal actually restates present law, but it ensures that 
parents are aware of and can exercise a right they have under current 
law.
  However, I want to make it clear that I am not advocating for further 
amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act at this 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill and encourage my colleagues to do 
the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman 
from New York (Mr. Molinaro), the bill's sponsor.
  Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I am very grateful that my Think 
Differently about Education Act has come to the floor today.
  This builds off of an initiative we launched in my home county about 
a decade ago. We launched the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative as a means of 
embracing every one of every ability, creating a community that is more 
welcoming and supportive. The focus has been to break down barriers and 
create opportunities for those with intellectual, physical, and 
developmental disabilities.
  ThinkDIFFERENTLY is simply a call to action. This bill, the Think 
Differently about Education Act, builds on the success of that 
ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative.
  This bill requires that public schools, K-12, notify parents of a 
child with a disability about their right to a third-party advocate in 
IEP meetings. Individualized education program plans are a document 
that outlines the educational needs of children with a disability, 
tailored specifically for them in coordination with the school, the 
parent or guardian, and the child.
  The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, commonly known as 
IDEA, requires public schools to develop an IEP plan for every student 
with a disability. IDEA also entitles that the child and parent are 
able to bring a third-party advocate to the IEP meeting. However, in 
most cases, sadly, parents are unaware of their rights. Because of 
that, CSE meetings are conducted without parents knowing what 
resources, support, and educational opportunities might be available to 
their children.
  In many cases, this leaves parents and guardians who are not always 
familiar with IDEA and everything that should be included in an IEP 
confused and, sadly, left out, their children losing great opportunity, 
which is also often self-interested. Many times, school districts are 
focused on financial benefits instead of providing the direct benefits 
of a quality and full education to those with disabilities.
  Now, I know this firsthand as the parent of a child with a 
disability. While my daughter, Abigail, now 20 years old, continues to 
benefit from quality education in our home school district, too many 
families like ours have had to navigate this system without the 
knowledge of and partnership of a third-party advocate.

[[Page H5707]]

  My bill would ensure that parents are fully aware of their rights to 
bring a third-party advocate to an IEP meeting to ensure that their 
child is getting the most comprehensive and disability-specific IEP 
plan possible.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a very basic, commonsense bill that builds on 
the need to ensure that every one of every ability has their right to 
pursue a fulfilled life, a pursuit of happiness.
  For those living with intellectual, physical, and developmental 
disabilities, far too often, they are restrained and restricted from 
doing so because they are not provided the broad access to a quality 
education.
  In this case, we simply remind school districts that parents have the 
right to have a third party standing beside them navigating that 
system, and in the end, I think more individuals with disabilities will 
attain the education opportunities they so deserve.
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Houchin), who serves on the Committee on 
Education and the Workforce and is celebrating her birthday today.
  Mrs. HOUCHIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of a 
critical piece of legislation, the Think Differently about Education 
Act, as a proud cosponsor.
  This bill is about empowering families, ensuring transparency, and 
providing the necessary support to students with disabilities as they 
navigate their educational journey.
  Each year, in thousands of schools across the Nation, individualized 
education program meetings, or IEP meetings, are taking place. Parents 
and school staff come together to develop a personalized plan that 
addresses the unique needs of every child.
  However, many parents face these meetings feeling overwhelmed and 
unsure. Some may not realize they have a right to bring an advocate, 
therapist, or lawyer to help them through the process. Unfortunately, 
most parents sit in these meetings without the support they deserve.
  This is where the Think Differently about Education Act steps in, a 
simple, commonsense solution, but one that can make a world of 
difference. It would require K-12 schools to inform parents of their 
right to bring a third-party advocate to IEP meetings.
  By empowering parents with this knowledge, we can ensure they are 
fully supported as they advocate for their child's education.
  This isn't just about informing parents. It is about creating a 
culture where families feel supported and engaged in their child's 
educational journey.

  Every child deserves a quality education that meets their unique 
needs, and every family deserves to be empowered to advocate for their 
child.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the Think Differently 
about Education Act so that we can support more families on this 
journey.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, the Think Differently about Education Act is a 
bipartisan bill that requires schools to notify parents of their right 
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to bring an 
expert with specialized knowledge or expertise regarding their child to 
individualized education program meetings.
  While parents clearly have this right under current law, they might 
not always be appropriately informed about their rights. This 
legislation ensures that parents will know that they can include 
experts who can assist them in shaping an IEP that meets the student's 
individual needs.
  Mr. Speaker, I support the bill and encourage my colleagues to 
support it as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEAN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. Speaker, all children, including children with learning 
disabilities, deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for 
full participation in society.
  H.R. 4259, the Think Differently about Education Act of 2023, builds 
upon the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which gives 
teachers, parents, and schools the tools to ensure students in special 
education receive the opportunities they deserve.
  H.R. 4259 would make it easier for families to ensure their children 
will have the tools they need to succeed in school. Every child has the 
potential to flourish when just given the right support.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Duncan). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bean) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4259, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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