Bill
HB 2557
HB 2557 requires districts to deliver special education evaluation reports within 35 days of consent and hold an eligibility determination meeting within 5-40 days after report del
HB 2557 (Washington) – 2025-2026 Session
Title: Providing parental access to special education evaluation reports
Overview
HB 2557 requires timelines and procedures to ensure parents of students receiving special education services receive evaluation reports and participate in eligibility determination meetings in a timely, transparent manner. The bill emphasizes parental access to evaluation reports (the documentation used to determine eligibility for special education services) and creates a structured timeline for providing reports and convening eligibility determination meetings.
Main purpose and intent
- Improve parental access to evaluation reports and clarify the timing of key steps in the eligibility determination process for special education.
- Ensure parents receive a copy of the evaluation report within a defined period and participate in a formal eligibility determination meeting (EDM) with a clear schedule.
- Reduce delays in the IEP process by aligning report provision with the EDM timeline and by establishing procedural safeguards for timely communication.
Key provisions and changes
- Evaluation report delivery timeline:
- A school district must provide the parent/guardian with a copy of the special education evaluation report no later than the 35th school day after the district receives consent to evaluate, unless an exception applies or the parent signs a written waiver.
- Eligibility determination meeting (EDM) timeline:
- The district must convene the EDM no sooner than five school days after the evaluation report is provided and no later than the 40th school day after receipt of consent.
- Waivers and exceptions:
- A written waiver by the parent/guardian can alter the timeline, effectively extending the deadline or altering the requirement to provide the evaluation report within the 35-school-day window.
- Procedural violation consequence:
- Absent a written waiver, failure to provide the evaluation report within the specified timeline is deemed a procedural violation.
- Administrative provisions:
- The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is directed to adopt rules and update model forms and technical guidance to reflect the new timelines and requirements.
- Terminology consistency:
- The act uses the term “eligibility determination meeting” consistently throughout.
Who is affected
- Students receiving or being considered for special education services and their parents/guardians.
- School districts and school personnel responsible for special education evaluations, reporting, and eligibility determinations.
- OSPI, which will issue rules, updated forms, and guidance to implement the requirements.
Timeline and status
- The bill was enacted in March 2026, signed into law by the Governor (Chapter 34, 2026 Laws).
- Effective date: June 11, 2026.
- As of enactment, the requirements apply to evaluation reports and EDMs initiated after the effective date, with the specified timelines in place.
Impact considerations
- Increased transparency and parent involvement in the evaluation and EDM process.
- Potentially shorter overall timeline to determine eligibility for services, contingent on district adherence to the 35/40-day schedule.
- Administrative workload for districts to ensure timely report delivery and EDM scheduling; OSPI guidance will support compliance.
- Consumers receive clearly defined procedural safeguards and documentation timelines, potentially reducing procedural violations related to timing.
Notes
- The bill includes supporting language clarifying terminology (eligibility determination meeting vs. eligibility meeting) and directs OSPI to update guidance accordingly.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
