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Special‑education amendments split Utah Senate as supporters cite federal alignment and opponents warn of diluted funds
Summary
Senate Bill 134 was amended to align state special‑education definitions with federal least‑restrictive-environment guidance; floor testimony included support from sponsors and some experts, and objections from parent advocates, superintendents and special‑education professionals who said the change could reduce dedicated supports.
Senator Bramble presented a second substitute to Senate Bill 134, describing the change as an effort to align Utah definitions and guidelines (least restrictive environment, incidental benefit, specially designed instruction) with federal standards and to ensure schools have flexibility to serve students with disabilities.
Supporters told the Senate the bill corrects state rules that the sponsor said were more restrictive than federal law and that alignment would promote inclusion. Bramble read letters and testimony from educators and experts and said he expected…
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