Protection and Advocacy for Student Success Act

Key Points

• This bill would create a national grant program for existing protection and advocacy systems to enforce the educational rights of children, youth, and adults with disabilities under three major federal laws: IDEA, the ADA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Funded advocacy groups could investigate abuse and neglect in schools, fight to end dangerous practices like seclusion and restraint, help families resolve disputes with school districts, and take legal action when schools violate the law.
• Every state would receive a minimum grant of $120,000 per year, while U.S. territories and the American Indian Consortium would get at least $60,000. No matching funds from states or organizations would be required.
• The program is authorized for 10 years, from fiscal year 2026 through 2035, though no specific dollar amount is set — Congress would decide how much to fund it each year.
• Grant money must add to existing advocacy efforts, not replace them. Unspent funds can carry over to the next year, and any income generated from the grants stays available for five additional years.