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Committee holds over bill proposing age‑limit change for special education eligibility
Summary
Senate Bill 981 would change statutory language so special education eligibility ends at 22 rather than through the school year when a student turns 21; sponsor and committee members agreed to hold the bill for further review because it could shift eligibility mid‑school year.
Senate Bill 981, described to the Senate Education Committee on March 19, 2025, would modify the upper age limit for eligibility for public education for students with disabilities to include students until they reach their 22nd birthday. The bill declares an emergency and lists an effective date of July 1, 2025.
Committee discussion revealed a notable practical difference between current statute and the bill's proposed language. Under current Oregon law, a person whose 21st birthday occurs during the school year remains eligible for the remainder of that school year; the proposed change would end eligibility on the birthday itself, potentially terminating services in the middle of a school year for some students. Committee members and the bill drafter expressed concern about that timing shift and uncertain fiscal impacts tied to birthday distributions across cohorts.
Given these concerns, the bill's drafter recommended not moving the measure forward at this time and the committee agreed to hold the item for further consideration rather than advancing it. No vote to advance was taken on March 19.
