![CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The RI State House. Rep. Joseph M. McNamara's new bill would codify federal 504 education plans in RI law.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RI-State-House-COVID-19-small-business-aid-336x252.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
STATE HOUSE — Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston) has launched laws that may make federally mandated 504 training plans a part of state regulation.
‘Now that 17 states have joined in a lawsuit asking the courts to declare Part 504 unconstitutional, and academic rights rapidly eroding on the nationwide stage, it’s time for Rhode Island to ensure the way forward for these plans.’
Named after Part 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 — a federal civil rights regulation that protects towards discrimination — 504 training plans are formal plans for the way a faculty will take away boundaries so a pupil with a incapacity can study alongside friends generally training.
Underneath the proposed laws, if the federal authorities ought to get rid of the 504 training plans provision for equal entry to training for college students with disabilities, it will be preserved in Rhode Island statute. The text of the bill has not yet been posted to the General Assembly website.
“It’s completely crucial that college students with sure disabilities be accommodated of their explicit instructional wants,” mentioned Consultant McNamara, who chairs the Home Schooling Committee. “Now that 17 states have joined in a lawsuit asking the courts to declare Part 504 unconstitutional, and academic rights rapidly eroding on the nationwide stage, it’s time for Rhode Island to ensure the way forward for these plans, much like the best way the Reproductive Privateness Act codified the rights of Roe v. Wade into state regulation. This may assure that each one youngsters would have equal entry to training no matter their incapacity and within the least restrictive setting.”
In contrast to an individualized training program (IEP) 504 training plans don’t embrace specifically designed instruction. They typically embrace any lodging (adjustments to the coed’s studying atmosphere), any assistive expertise or instruments the college will present, and the identify of the individual answerable for ensuring the 504 plan is put into motion.
A pupil should have a incapacity that impacts a number of main life actions, comparable to studying or paying consideration. As a result of IEPs have extra necessities, a pupil who doesn’t qualify for an IEP would possibly nonetheless be capable of get a 504 plan.
