Committee hears bill to give families earlier written notice of local IDD services; public testimony from Handley family

Senate committee members heard testimony on House Bill 1188, known in the House as the Caitlin Handley Act, a measure that would require Texas school districts to provide parents or legal guardians written information about their local intellectual and developmental disability authority at the first admission, review and dismissal (ARD) meeting for students found eligible for special education because of an intellectual disability or developmental delay.

The bill’s sponsor in the House and county-level officials were present for testimony, which featured the Handley family and representatives of disability advocacy groups and employer organizations. Proponents told the Senate committee that earlier notice would connect families to services — including Medicaid waiver wait lists, crisis supports and service…