To amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to authorize the Secretary of Education to extend paperwork reduction waivers, and for other purposes.

Summary of HR 9223 (119th Congress)

Purpose

HR 9223 aims to amend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to authorize the Secretary of Education to extend paperwork reduction waivers for states. The bill modifies the scope and duration of waiver extensions, allowing the Secretary to grant extensions beyond current limits and to provide more than one extension to a state, with each extension lasting up to four years.

Key Provisions and Changes

• Waiver Extension Authority (general): The bill adds a new subsection (C) under IDEA’s existing paperwork reduction waiver framework, clarifying that the Secretary may extend the period of a waiver previously granted to a State.
• Extension Duration: Each extension may not exceed four years.
• Multiple Extensions: The Secretary may grant more than one extension to the same State, enabling prolonged relief from certain paperwork or administrative requirements under IDEA.
• Relation to Existing Timing: The bill preserves the notion that waivers are time-limited but explicitly expands the Secretary’s ability to lengthen the period of relief through extensions.

Who is Affected

• States Receiving IDEA Waivers: States that have previously been granted paperwork reduction waivers under IDEA would be eligible for subsequent extensions, subject to the Secretary’s authority and the four-year cap per extension.
• Parents and Students with Disabilities: Potential indirect impact through continued or renewed reductions in administrative paperwork, which can influence reporting burdens, compliance processes, and the focus of resources toward services and supports for students with disabilities.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

• Process: The Secretary of Education would exercise authority to grant extensions under the amended provision, following the criteria outlined in the new clause.
• Extensions vs. Original Waivers: Each extension is designed to be independently limited to four years, and multiple extensions can be issued to the same state, enabling longer cumulative relief if warranted.
• Legislative Path: The bill was introduced by Representative Julia Letlow and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce (as of June 9, 2026).

Practical Implications

• Enables states to reduce ongoing administrative burdens related to IDEA compliance for longer periods.
• Provides flexibility for states to allocate resources toward direct services and supports for students with disabilities rather than processing requirements.
• Creates a predictable framework for extending waivers, subject to future regulatory or policy decisions by the Secretary.

Note: The text provided does not specify additional criteria or reporting requirements for extensions beyond the four-year cap per extension. If enacted, the implementing regulations and guidance would clarify any conditions, oversight, and safeguards tied to these extensions.