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SB 1155

AN ACT REQUIRING THE STATE TO PAY FOR TRANSITION SERVICES FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR IN WHICH A STUDENT REACHES TWENTY-TWO YEARS OF AGE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Heather Somers

Connecticut must fund special education transition services through the end of the school year when a student turns 22, extending current age-21 cutoff eligibility.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Education
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Bill Summary · SB 1155

Legislative bill overview

SB 1155 requires Connecticut to fund transition services for students who turn 22 years old during the school year, rather than ending services when they reach that age. Transition services typically include vocational training, independent living skills, and employment preparation for students with disabilities. The bill ensures these services continue through the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.

Why is this important

Under current federal law (IDEA), states must provide free appropriate public education through age 21, but services typically end when students reach that birthday. This bill addresses a gap where students turning 22 mid-school-year lose access to critical transition support that could facilitate their entry into adult employment and independent living. For students with disabilities, these final months of structured transition services can significantly impact post-secondary outcomes.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: The bill creates a new unfunded or partially unfunded state obligation, requiring education budgets to cover extended services for affected students; the cost depends on how many students turn 22 during the school year
  • Implementation complexity: Schools must determine which students qualify and track service provision across the age-22 transition, potentially requiring administrative changes
  • Equity and scope questions: Some may argue the bill should be broader (extending services further into adulthood) or question whether this targets resources appropriately compared to other education funding priorities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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