(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Troy Singleton and Daniel Benson to help protect the rights of students with disabilities was signed into law on Tuesday.
The new law (A-1103) establishes the Office of the Special Education Ombudsman in the Department of Education. The office will serve as a resource to provide confidential information and support to parents, students and educators regarding special education rights and services.
“Parents of students with disabilities often don’t know where to turn when they have a question or concern about their child’s education, and so they find it more difficult to advocate on their behalf,” said Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen). “Creating an office dedicated to informing and advising parents, students and school staff on special education issues will help ensure that New Jersey can execute its mission of providing all students with a quality education.”
The ombudsman’s duties includes, but not be limited to:
- helping interested parties better understand laws governing special education;
- providing information and support to parents in navigating the process of obtaining special education evaluations and services;
- aiding parents and school districts working to resolve disagreements related to education or disciplinary action;