FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Green Delivers Results Protecting Schools from Unnecessary Litigation During COVID-19 Emergency
WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate announced that it will include Rep. Green's request for a waiver of the requirements of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in Congress' coronavirus relief legislation. Green sent a letter to Senators McConnell and Schumer urging the Senate to give school districts more time to implement proper protocols given the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Green said, “Our teachers and students need this important temporary waiver during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Without a waiver, school districts will be in violation, and costly litigation will occur against States and districts who operate in good faith to provide services to their communities. IDEA is the fourth most litigated Federal civil statute in the United States, and school districts need to be focused on the challenges of educating their students remotely—not unnecessary legal actions during this crisis.”
“I support IDEA and want all school districts to be equipped to meet the needs of their students. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to make difficult choices. Students may not even return to school this year. Districts are already being inundated with due process requests, OCR complaints, and even Federal lawsuits."
"Unnecessary legal action hurts all students and teachers. It is fiscally irresponsible to not protect our States and school districts from frivolous lawsuits simply because they fail to meet all obligations during a national emergency."
See Rep. Green’s full letter here:
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