The proposed bill establishes the "Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Disabilities Act," which aims to provide inclusive educational opportunities for students with disabilities, specifically those aged eighteen to twenty-one, and up to twenty-two in certain cases. The act allows these students, who receive special education services and have disabilities including severe intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities, to attend state colleges and universities. This includes options for continuing education, participation in credit and noncredit courses, and the development of independent living and employment skills.

The act emphasizes inclusivity by ensuring that students can engage in academic and non-academic activities alongside their non-disabled peers without the requirement of standardized college entrance tests, high school diplomas, minimum academic course requirements, or minimum grade point average requirements.

Public institutions of higher education are tasked with creating guidelines for selecting students participating in higher education under this act, ensuring that individuals are not denied opportunities solely due to their disabilities. Institutions must also provide access to academic and non-academic opportunities and support services to facilitate inclusion.

The bill mandates annual reporting by state colleges and universities on the participation and outcomes of students with disabilities, including data on demographics, courses taken, extracurricular activities, and employment outcomes.

Additionally, the act allows students to return to their public high schools if attending college is not in their best interest. It specifies that costs associated with participation will be considered approved expenses as special education services, and the foundation education aid will be forwarded to the state colleges and universities without additional charges to the school district or the student.

The act is set to take effect upon passage.