As a Connecticut special education attorney and advocate for families, I, Jeffrey Forte of Forte Law Group, recently submitted testimony strongly opposing two proposed laws — Raised Bill Numbers 7277 and 1561.

These bills could have serious effects on the rights of children with disabilities and their families across our state.

We have a video available showing my full testimony at the court hearing:

Let’s break down what parents need to know in simple terms:

What’s Happening?

Connecticut lawmakers are considering two bills (7277 and 1561) that aim to reform special education funding and oversight. While the intention may be to address rising costs and improve equity, these bills could seriously weaken the rights and services available to students with disabilities.

Key Concerns for Parents

Here are the primary issues raised by these bills:

• Burden of Proof in Legal Disputes:
  The bills propose shifting the burden of proof onto parents in certain legal disputes, particularly in cases of unilateral placements. This means that if you believe your child’s school isn’t providing the right education, you would have to prove it — not the school.
• Funding for Specialized Schools:
  The bills would create a rate-setting system that could limit funding for private special education schools. This would make it harder for children who need specialized, out-of-district placements to access appropriate services.
• Due Process Hearing Limitations:
  There’s a proposal to limit due process hearings to just three days, no matter how complex the case is. That’s not nearly enough time for families to present all the evidence and witnesses needed to fully advocate for their child.
• Evaluation Weighting:
  The bills would require hearing officers to give equal weight to all evaluations — even those that might not be credible or thorough — taking away the judge’s ability to decide what evidence matters most.
• New Programs Without Clear Funding:
  While the bills mention new grant programs and educational initiatives, there’s no clear plan for funding or implementation, making it unlikely they would truly help families.

Potential Impacts on Families

• Reduced access to specialized schools and services.
• Harder legal battles for parents advocating for their children’s rights.
• Increased litigation costs and delays in receiving necessary services.
• More stress and uncertainty for families already navigating a complex system.

A recent national study shows that students with disabilities graduate high school at a rate nearly 20% lower than their peers (65% compared to 87%). Making it harder for families to advocate would only widen this gap.

How These Bills Violate Federal Law

Many parts of these bills would violate federal protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and basic constitutional due process rights.

If passed, these bills would face legal challenges — but in the meantime, they could deny vital services to children who need them most.

Our Call to Action
I urge Connecticut lawmakers to vote NO on Raised Bills 7277 and 1561.

Instead of removing protections, we need to work together — with parents, educators, service providers, and legal experts — to create thoughtful policies that truly support children with disabilities.

Full Written Testimony [Download]

Visit www.fortelawgroup.com for updates and free legal resources.