House panel backs IEP reforms requiring parent notifications and service logs
February 17, 2026 | 2026 Legislature FL, Florida
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Representative Kendrick told the committee that CS for CS for HB 615 aims to make individualized education plans (IEPs) clearer and more enforceable for families. The bill, which the committee reported favorably on a 19-0 vote, requires districts to notify parents within five school days when a required IEP service is missed and to provide a documented plan for making up the service. It also requires districts to deliver requested service documents within 15 school days, to produce a standardized service log, and to provide an individualized parent orientation for newly identified exceptional-student-education (ESE) students.
Helena Munoz, speaking as a parent and advocate, told lawmakers she represents families across 16 counties and said the recurring problem is not the absence of rules but inconsistent enforcement. "Parents deserve transparency. Parents deserve to know," she said, describing cases in which services promised in an IEP were not delivered.
Her son Raymond, an ESE student from Emerald Cove Middle School, described a classroom experience in which accommodations were not provided and said it left him feeling "frustrated, depressed, and not good enough to learn." Maureen Fitzpatrick, another parent and advocate, recounted cases in which protections existed on paper but were not carried out; she said the bill would create concrete timelines, documentation and accountability measures.
Members pressed sponsors about implementation. Representative Aristide and Ranking Member Henson both warned that districts may need additional staff and funding to meet new documentation and notification requirements. Representative Kendrick and supporters said the bill is focused on communication and transparency rather than creating broad new evaluation mandates; they noted many districts already employ ESE coordinators.
Key provisions and details
- Schools must notify parents within 5 school days when a required IEP service is missed and provide a documented makeup plan.
- Parents must receive requested service documentation within 15 school days.
- Training and processes are to be standardized, and districts must maintain service logs.
- The bill applies to public schools and publicly funded charter schools; it does not apply to private schools.
What supporters said
Parents and advocates described repeated experiences of nonimplementation and called the bill a practical way to ensure existing rights are honored in practice.
What opponents or skeptics said
Some members expressed concern that the bill’s requirements could strain district staffing and budgets and urged consideration of funding or designated personnel to carry out new duties.
Vote and next steps
The committee reported HB 615 favorably by a recorded 19-0 vote; the bill will move on to the next House committees and potential floor consideration.
Helena Munoz, speaking as a parent and advocate, told lawmakers she represents families across 16 counties and said the recurring problem is not the absence of rules but inconsistent enforcement. "Parents deserve transparency. Parents deserve to know," she said, describing cases in which services promised in an IEP were not delivered.
Her son Raymond, an ESE student from Emerald Cove Middle School, described a classroom experience in which accommodations were not provided and said it left him feeling "frustrated, depressed, and not good enough to learn." Maureen Fitzpatrick, another parent and advocate, recounted cases in which protections existed on paper but were not carried out; she said the bill would create concrete timelines, documentation and accountability measures.
Members pressed sponsors about implementation. Representative Aristide and Ranking Member Henson both warned that districts may need additional staff and funding to meet new documentation and notification requirements. Representative Kendrick and supporters said the bill is focused on communication and transparency rather than creating broad new evaluation mandates; they noted many districts already employ ESE coordinators.
Key provisions and details
- Schools must notify parents within 5 school days when a required IEP service is missed and provide a documented makeup plan.
- Parents must receive requested service documentation within 15 school days.
- Training and processes are to be standardized, and districts must maintain service logs.
- The bill applies to public schools and publicly funded charter schools; it does not apply to private schools.
What supporters said
Parents and advocates described repeated experiences of nonimplementation and called the bill a practical way to ensure existing rights are honored in practice.
What opponents or skeptics said
Some members expressed concern that the bill’s requirements could strain district staffing and budgets and urged consideration of funding or designated personnel to carry out new duties.
Vote and next steps
The committee reported HB 615 favorably by a recorded 19-0 vote; the bill will move on to the next House committees and potential floor consideration.
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