Insights into Hot Topics in Disability Policy and Education Trends

Hot Topics in Disability Policy Emma Garton, Policy Director Jan. 2025

Setting the stage Jan. 3 A new session of Congress began. Jan. 14 A new session of the TN state legislature began. Jan. 20 A new presidential administration began. Jan. 27 Special session of the TN legislature began to vote on school vouchers, Hurricane Helene relief, and immigration policies. Feb. 6 Bill filing deadline in TN House and Senate. Feb. 10 Gov. Lee s State of the State address and FY26 budget proposal release. 2

Setting the stage: our overview tonight Brief nonpartisan info about 3 state and federal hot topics , including: The basics what it is, current status, what s next Why the policy is being proposed (why some people like it) Main concerns (why people are worried about the policy proposal hurting people with disabilities) Where to learn more Note: there s LOTS of hot topics, new developments constantly, & we only have 15 minutes tonight! 3

Hot Topics in TN

School Vouchers Basics Education Freedom Act is Gov. Lee s top priority. It s also being called school choice. Being considered this week during special session ; if the bill passes, vouchers can be used starting this fall Why people support it Gives families ~$7,000 to use for private school (20K vouchers next year, including 10K for low-income families) Gives $2K teacher bonuses, invests $ in school facilities, bill claims to keep local school budgets at current funding levels

School Vouchers Why people are worried Students with disabilities must give up their rights under IDEA (special education law) to use the program. Many students with disabilities cannot attend private schools. Fewer public-school students may hurt public schools and their budgets. Learn more Chalkbeat TN: https://www.chalkbeat.org/vouchers/ Governor s website about the proposal: https://tneducationfreedom.com/ Education Trust TN: https://thealliancetn.org/advocacy-resource- hub/education-issue-tracker/

Threats of mass violence by students Basics 2 current laws are being used to punish students who make threats of mass violence in or about their schools. Some students, including those with disabilities, are getting expelled from school and/or arrested (charged with felonies). Why people support it Supporters think harsh punishment for students will mean fewer students making threats, which would mean less violence and safer schools.

Threats of mass violence by students Why people are worried Students with intellectual and developmental disabilities are getting punished even when their threats aren t serious (not valid) and they don t understand what they are doing/saying. The 2 laws don t align between school penalties and criminal penalties, when it comes to considering a student s disability and doing threat assessments to consider whether a threat is valid or not. Little consistency in processes across TN and not enough data about impact. Learn more ProPublica s story series: https://www.propublica.org/series/crackdown-on-student-threats https://www.propublica.org/series/crackdown-on-student-threats

Hot Topics: Federal Policy

Medicaid Funding & SNAP cuts Basics Medicaid (TennCare in TN) provides health insurance and home- and community-based services to millions of people with disabilities. SNAP (food stamps) helps millions of people with disabilities pay for food. Some Congress members want to change how Medicaid and SNAP funding works to reduce the amount the federal government gives to states for these programs. It may mean fewer people qualify and people get less money/services from the programs. They have proposed a lot of different ideas for how to cut funding. Status: Congressional Republicans meeting with Trump now to develop the budget bill that may or may not include these cuts. Nothing officially introduced in Congress. House Speaker wants to vote on budget by Feb. 10; the process will likely last into March/April in the Senate.

Medicaid Funding & SNAP Cuts (slide 2) Why people support it Some people & policymakers think the federal government spends way too much on Medicaid and SNAP, too many people get help from the programs, and there are too many federal rules states must follow. Why people are worried Millions of people with disabilities rely on both these programs. HCBS are optional for states to provide. This means that if states face budget cuts, these services may get cut. People with disabilities can only get HCBS through Medicaid. These services don t exist under other types of health insurance.

Medicaid Funding & SNAP Cuts (slide 2) Learn more https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/a-closer-look-at-who-benefits-from-snap-state-by-state-fact-sheets#Tennessee www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-what-to-watch-in-2025/ www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-what-to-watch-in-2025/ https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/a-closer-look-at-who-benefits-from-snap-state-by-state-fact-sheets#Tennessee Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities: c-c- d.org Kaiser Family Foundation: www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-what- to-watch-in-2025/ https://www.cbpp.org/research/food- assistance/a-closer-look-at-who-benefits-from- snap-state-by-state-fact-sheets#Tennessee www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-what-to-watch-in-2025/ https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/a-closer-look-at-who-benefits-from-snap-state-by-state-fact-sheets#Tennessee www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-what-to-watch-in-2025/ https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/a-closer-look-at-who-benefits-from-snap-state-by-state-fact-sheets#Tennessee

Stay informed! Questions? Emma Garton, TN Council on Developmental Disabilities Tnddc@tn.gov; emma.shouse@tn.gov Follow state disability policy news: TN DD Council: https://www.tn.gov/cdd/engage-with- us/subscribe-to-council-updates.html TN Disability Coalition: https://www.tndisability.org/2025- policy-priorities Disability Rights TN: https://www.disabilityrightstn.org/resources/