HR 9196 — Helen Keller Education Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html June 08, 2026

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill adds provisions for the identification, education, and support of children who are deafblind within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

• 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(3)

  (C) Serving children who are deafblind.--When a State classifies children by disability, the State, in complying with subsection (a)-- (i) identifies, locates and evaluates children with concomitant vision and hearing losses who are, or may be, classified in a disability category other than deafblindness; and (ii) provides (without prejudice to such classification) special education and related services to such children, including the specific services determined appropriate based on proper evaluation as would be provided to children classified in the State as having deafblindness.

  States are required to identify and provide services to children who are deafblind, even if they are classified under other disability categories.

• 20 U.S.C. 1418

  (e) Accounting for Children Who Are Deafblind.--In addition to the other data collection and reporting requirements of this section and subject to such provisions, the State and the Secretary of the Interior shall, with respect to children classified in a disability category other than deafblindness, include the number and percentage of such children in each disability category who are also deafblind.

  States must include data on children who are deafblind in their reporting, even if those children are classified under other disabilities.

• 20 U.S.C. 1401(3)(A)(i)

  serious → deafblindness,

  The definition of 'child with a disability' is expanded to include children with deafblindness.

• 20 U.S.C. 1401(26)(A)

  , and intervener services, which are provided to children who are deafblind by a qualified intervener

  Intervener services for children who are deafblind are explicitly recognized as part of related services.

• 20 U.S.C. 1412

  (g) Addendum Concerning Children Who Are Deafblind.--(1) In general.--Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c), a State shall not be determined to be in compliance with this section unless, not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of the Helen Keller Education Act, the State files with the Secretary a written addendum to the plan required by this section describing how the State ensures that-- (A) children who are deafblind (regardless of the State's use of disability categories...) are evaluated...

  States must submit a plan detailing how they will assess and provide services for children who are deafblind.

• 20 U.S.C. 1414(b)

  (7) Children who are deafblind.-- (A) In general.--In conducting the assessments prescribed in paragraph (3)(B), children who are deafblind (including children who may have additional disabilities) shall be evaluated on language and communication proficiency levels...

  Explicit evaluation requirements for children who are deafblind in terms of their communication and language skills are introduced.

• 20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(3)(B)

  (v) in the case of a child who is deafblind, provide for the child's language and communication needs...

  Individualized education programs must specifically address the language and communication needs of deafblind children.

• 20 U.S.C. 1416

  (j) Developing Policy Guidance for Parents and Educators of Children Who Are Deafblind.--The Secretary shall ensure that not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Helen Keller Education Act, policy guidance concerning the provision of special education and related services to children who are deafblind is developed...

  Policy guidance specifically for the education of children who are deafblind must be developed to ensure effective service delivery.

• 20 U.S.C. 1417

  (f) Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the Helen Keller Education Act, the Secretary shall, after notice and comment, publish regulations that provide definitions for `deafblindness' and `intervener services'.

  Regulations defining 'deafblindness' and 'intervener services' must be established.

• 20 U.S.C. 1436(d)

  (9) in the case of an infant or toddler who is deafblind, a statement of the ongoing language and communication assessment that will be provided to the child...

  Early intervention plans must specifically include assessments and support for infants and toddlers who are deafblind.

Action History

1. June 08, 2026

   Introduced in House

2. June 08, 2026

   Introduced in House

3. June 08, 2026

   Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sponsors

• Andrew R. Garbarino · Cosponsor
• Josh Riley · Cosponsor
• April McClain Delaney · Cosponsor
• Morgan McGarvey · Primary

Subjects