The Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Temporary Amendment Act of 2026 aims to amend existing laws to designate the Department of Corrections as the agency responsible for providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to individuals with disabilities who are in its custody and detained in secure facilities. Specifically, the bill outlines that during the school years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, the Department must ensure that these individuals, aged 18 and older, receive educational services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and District law.

To implement this change, the bill makes several amendments to existing legal language. It adds a new paragraph (12) to Section 2(b) of the Act creating the Department of Corrections, which specifies the educational obligations for the specified school years. Additionally, a similar amendment is made to the Corrections Oversight Improvement Omnibus Amendment Act of 2022, adding a new paragraph (14) that mirrors the educational requirements for individuals in custody. The bill is set to take effect upon approval by the Mayor and will expire after 225 days.