Protecting Students with Disabilities Act

Bill Summary: Protecting Students with Disabilities Act (S. 2913)

Overview

The Protecting Students with Disabilities Act is a legislative proposal designed to safeguard the organizational structure and personnel of the U.S. Department of Education (ED) specifically regarding the administration of programs for individuals with disabilities. The bill seeks to prevent the executive branch from restructuring, consolidating, or outsourcing the offices responsible for enforcing federal disability education and workforce laws.

Main Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of this bill is to reaffirm the statutory authority of Congress over the placement and function of the Office of Special Education Programs and the Rehabilitation Services Administration.

By citing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the bill asserts that these offices must remain within the Department of Education and that the executive branch lacks the unilateral authority to move or eliminate them.

Key Provisions

The bill establishes a strict prohibition on the use of appropriated funds for the following activities:

• Prevention of Restructuring: It prohibits the use of federal funds to eliminate, consolidate, or restructure any office within the Department of Education that administers or enforces programs for individuals with disabilities.
• Protection of Personnel: It forbids the termination, reassignment, or alteration of staff responsibilities if such changes would prevent the Department from meeting its statutory obligations under federal law.
• Ban on Outsourcing: The bill explicitly prohibits the Department of Education from contracting with or delegating the administration and enforcement of these programs to any entity outside of the Department.

Who is Affected?

• Students and Individuals with Disabilities: The bill aims to ensure that the federal oversight of their education and workforce investment programs remains stable and centrally managed by the Department of Education.
• The Department of Education: The bill limits the administrative flexibility of the Department, preventing it from reorganizing how special education and rehabilitation services are managed.
• Federal Employees: Personnel within offices administering IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act would have their roles protected from reassignments that might compromise the delivery of services.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: September 18, 2025
• Current Status: The bill has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) for further consideration.