The Arc Rhode Island, parents call for special education ombudsman bill
Parents with The Arc Rhode Island are backing a bill that would create an ombudsman for special education in the state.
This is the third time the bill is being pushed to become a law.
"The bill has been in play and we've been working on it for about three or four years, it did pass the Senate last year," Rep. Lauren Carson told NBC 10 News.
The legislation would allow parents a resource to turn to if their child's educational needs are not being met.
The Arc Rhode Island says the time for change is now.
"What we need is a parent body, a watchdog, an ombudsman office in the state government, independent of the Department of Education so that parents can go to them and talk to them about their educational rights and their child's rights," said Director Joanna Scocchi.
The organization said an ombudsman would help settle parents concerns and track to see if special education plans are being followed.