Substitute Senate Bill No. 424 aims to improve oversight and support for students with disabilities in Connecticut, particularly those with Section 504 plans and individualized education programs (IEPs). Starting July 1, 2026, the State Department of Education (SDE) will be required to compile and publicly share data on students with Section 504 plans by school district, ensuring compliance with privacy laws. The bill mandates the establishment of a working group to evaluate accommodations provided under these plans, with a report due by January 1, 2027. Additionally, the bill creates an Office of the Educational Ombudsperson within the Office of Governmental Accountability, which will assist students and families with educational issues, including special education, and will have expanded powers to address complaints of discrimination.

The bill also introduces new legal language to enhance protections against discrimination in public accommodations, expanding the list of protected characteristics and clarifying the rights of individuals with disabilities. It modifies existing provisions regarding discrimination complaints, transferring jurisdiction from the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunity (CHRO) to the Office of the Educational Ombudsperson for cases involving students with IEPs or Section 504 plans. The bill includes provisions for the SDE to enhance data transparency, conduct a needs assessment for student support services, and requires the Department of Social Services to identify Medicaid-eligible school services. Notably, it repeals certain existing provisions and introduces new responsibilities for the Ombudsperson, while also outlining fiscal implications for the implementation of these changes.