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SB 5253

Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Chapman and 9 co-sponsors

Extends special education to end of the school year a student turns 22 (whichever first); supports families and districts; requires interagency transition planning by Oct 30, 2026.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5253

Summary — SB 5253 (Chapter 256, 2025 Laws)

Extends special education services through the end of the school year in which a student with disabilities turns 22

Main purpose

SB 5253 changes Washington law to require special education and related services to continue until the end of the school year in which a student with an individualized education program (IEP) turns 22, or until high school graduation, whichever occurs first. The change responds to a federal court ruling (N.D. v. Reykdal) finding Washington’s prior practice likely violated the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Effective date: July 27, 2025 (90 days after adjournment). Governor signed May 13, 2025.

Key provisions

  • Extends the statutory age range for state special education from “concluding at age 21” to “concluding at the end of the school year in which the student turns 22,” while still ending at high school graduation if earlier. (Amends multiple RCW sections, including 28A.155.020 and related sections.)
  • Explicitly states that providing services to age 22 is not intended to reduce or supplant other services a student may be eligible to receive.
  • Carries forward education-related protections and provisions that previously applied to students under 21 so they apply through the end of the school year the student turns 22. Examples include:
    • Nonresident district enrollment rules,
    • Programs of education in residential schools,
    • Reporting requirements for visually or hearing-impaired residents,
    • Free admission to the State School for the Blind and the Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth,
    • Provisions related to interagency agreements for high school transition services.
  • Requires interagency collaboration to update an implementation plan to improve transition planning for students likely to become eligible for Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) services:
    • Agencies: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Department of Services for the Blind, and any other relevant state agencies.
    • Deadline: October 30, 2026.
    • Plan must: describe coordinated transition services (including examples for ages 16–22), ensure services supplement (not supplant) special education funding, and include consultation with nonprofit transition providers and IEP advocates.
    • That planning section expires August 1, 2027.
  • No appropriation included; a fiscal note is available.

Who is affected

  • Students with disabilities who would otherwise age out during a school year (those turning 21 now will be covered through the school year they turn 22).
  • Families and guardians of those students.
  • Public school districts and educational service districts (program delivery, reporting, planning).
  • State agencies that serve people with disabilities (OSPI, DSHS, Dept. of Services for the Blind, DDA).
  • Nonprofit transition-service providers and advocates (must be consulted for the plan).
  • State residential and specialized schools (State School for the Blind; Washington Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth).

Rationale and context

  • Responds to N.D. v. Reykdal (W.D. Wash., Nov. 2024), where the court held Washington’s prior practice to age-out special education during the school year a student turned 21 likely violated IDEA because nondisabled adults could access certain free adult education services through age 21.
  • Law aims to align state practice with IDEA obligations, reduce disruption for students and families, and improve transition planning to adult services.

Legislative actions & votes

  • Introduced: Jan 14, 2025 (by request of the Superintendent of Public Instruction).
  • Passed Senate: April 18, 2025 (47–0). Passed House: April 12, 2025 (93–1).
  • Delivered to Governor: April 23, 2025. Signed: May 13, 2025. Chapter 256, 2025 Laws.

For details, see the amended statute text (changes to RCW 28A.155.020 and related sections) and the OSPI/agency implementation plan requirements.

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

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