Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disability Postsecondary topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee approves study to expand postsecondary opportunities for students with disabilities
Summary
Senate Bill 979 would direct the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to study methods for improving postsecondary access for individuals with disabilities; a dash-1 amendment was adopted and the bill was referred to Ways and Means.
The Senate Education Committee adopted a dash‑1 amendment and gave a due‑pass recommendation to Senate Bill 979 on March 19, 2025. The bill directs the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) to study methods to ensure postsecondary educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities, in consultation with an advisory group, and requires reports from HECC to the Legislative Assembly.
Committee members asked how SB 979 relates to SB 977, which targets a Portland State University program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Committee staff and witnesses clarified SB 979 is broader, covering access across community colleges and universities and institutional practices such as classroom accommodations, lab access, dorm evacuation procedures and other systemwide accessibility issues.
The committee moved the dash‑1 amendment and then passed the motion to refer SB 979 with a due‑pass recommendation to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. The chair announced the motion passed after recorded aye votes.
