RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – The Assembly Education Committee is hearing Assembly Bill 494.
“It’s shameful that we are at this point, but AB494 is a necessary step for our children. It’s a necessary step that this this body focuses on the students of Nevada,” said Assemblywoman Selena Torres-Fossett (D) is sponsoring the bill.
“The intent for AB494 is to ensure that we are protecting Nevada State Statute and federal protections that are guaranteed for education,” said Torres-Fossett.
She says this comes after President Trump aims to reduce the US Department of Education.
“If the US Department of Education were to be eliminated, there would be no enforcing agent to ensure that students who are special education students would be receiving the services that they are currently able to receive from IDA, which is federal legislation,” added the Assemblywoman.
The bill protects the rights of students with disabilities, ensures educational health record privacy and prohibits discrimination based on race and sex.
The Bill directs the Interim Finance Committee to approve all block grants for K-12.
“If President Trump gets his way then there would just be funding for education. It wouldn’t be allocated toward specific programming like it is now. It’s important That we continue to fund and invest in Title 1 schools or schools that are in historically disenfranchised communities,’ said Torres-Fossett.
There were no speakers who opposed the bill.
We reached out to the Republican party and are waiting to hear back.
There was no action taken and the bill will now go to the Assembly Floor and then to the Senate for another hearing. If it passes, it will go to Governor Lombardo.
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