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Committee unanimously backs broader dyslexia testing authority to reduce wait times and improve access
Summary
A second substitute to SB81 expands who may administer dyslexia assessments (qualified clinicians, speech‑language pathologists, reading specialists, trained professionals) and requires schools to consider outside assessment results; committee recommended the substitute unanimously after parents and advocacy groups testified about delays and harms from long waits.
Senate Bill 81 (second substitute) aims to broaden access to dyslexia assessments and reduce delays families face when seeking diagnosis and services. The substitute clarifies that qualified professionals—practitioners acting within their scope and competent by training, education and experience—may administer a dyslexia assessment, and it directs schools to accept and consider outside assessment results when presented by families.
Parents and advocates testified to long waiting lists in schools and university clinics and the high private cost of some neuropsychological assessments; speakers said expanding the pool of qualified assessors would enable earlier identification and intervention and reduce negative social and mental‑health outcomes for affected children. The committee adopted the second substitute and voted unanimously to recommend the bill. Sponsors said additional work remains on diagnosis versus assessment and on ensuring schools act on outside results.
What’s next: Bill goes to the full Senate; stakeholders asked for follow‑up on pathways for diagnosis, requirements for school responses to outside assessments, and potential training standards to ensure assessment quality.
