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Helen Keller Education Act

USA119th CongressHR-9196| House 
| Updated: 6/8/2026
Morgan McGarvey

Morgan McGarvey

Democratic Representative

Kentucky

Cosponsors (3)
April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Andrew R. Garbarino (Republican)Josh Riley (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to significantly improve the quality of special education and related services for children and youth who are deafblind. It establishes a comprehensive definition for "deafblind" individuals, encompassing those with concomitant hearing and visual impairments that impede information access, cause severe communication challenges, and adversely affect educational performance. The legislation mandates that states identify, locate, and evaluate all deafblind children, ensuring they receive appropriate services even if classified under another disability category, and requires data collection on these children. A key provision is the inclusion of intervener services , provided by qualified interveners, within the definition of related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). States will be required to submit an addendum to their IDEA plans, detailing how they ensure comprehensive evaluations by qualified professionals, sufficient personnel, and the provision of necessary special education and related services for all deafblind children. This addendum must specifically address language development, communication access, and family support, developed in consultation with experts. The bill further strengthens evaluation requirements, specifying that assessments for deafblind children must cover language and communication proficiency in their preferred mode, with qualified personnel involved. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) must also address specific language and communication needs, including tactile sign language. Additionally, the legislation calls for the development of policy guidance for parents and educators, the establishment of regulations defining "deafblindness" and "intervener services," and expanded personnel development to train qualified teachers of deafblind children, interveners, and early intervention specialists.
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Timeline
Jun 8, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 8, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • June 8, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 8, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education

Related Bills

  • S 119-4676: Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act
  • HR 119-9195: Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act

Helen Keller Education Act

USA119th CongressHR-9196| House 
| Updated: 6/8/2026
This bill seeks to significantly improve the quality of special education and related services for children and youth who are deafblind. It establishes a comprehensive definition for "deafblind" individuals, encompassing those with concomitant hearing and visual impairments that impede information access, cause severe communication challenges, and adversely affect educational performance. The legislation mandates that states identify, locate, and evaluate all deafblind children, ensuring they receive appropriate services even if classified under another disability category, and requires data collection on these children. A key provision is the inclusion of intervener services , provided by qualified interveners, within the definition of related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). States will be required to submit an addendum to their IDEA plans, detailing how they ensure comprehensive evaluations by qualified professionals, sufficient personnel, and the provision of necessary special education and related services for all deafblind children. This addendum must specifically address language development, communication access, and family support, developed in consultation with experts. The bill further strengthens evaluation requirements, specifying that assessments for deafblind children must cover language and communication proficiency in their preferred mode, with qualified personnel involved. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) must also address specific language and communication needs, including tactile sign language. Additionally, the legislation calls for the development of policy guidance for parents and educators, the establishment of regulations defining "deafblindness" and "intervener services," and expanded personnel development to train qualified teachers of deafblind children, interveners, and early intervention specialists.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 8, 2026
Introduced in House
Jun 8, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
  • June 8, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • June 8, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Morgan McGarvey

Morgan McGarvey

Democratic Representative

Kentucky

Cosponsors (3)
April McClain Delaney (Democratic)Andrew R. Garbarino (Republican)Josh Riley (Democratic)

Education and Workforce Committee

Education

Related Bills

  • S 119-4676: Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act
  • HR 119-9195: Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted