Expanded military student enrollment policy advanced

Lawmakers advanced a bill from general file Feb. 25 that aims to modify school district enrollment procedures for children of military families.

LB143, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Victor Rountree, would require school districts to include children of military families who have an Individualized Family Service Plan, an Individualized Education Program or who receive special education services in their advanced enrollment policies.

Current law requires school districts to include military children in advanced enrollment policies, but does not mandate that the policy include children with IFSPs, IEPs or who are receiving special education services.

Children of military families frequently change school districts, Rountree said, forcing students to adapt quickly to a new school and learning environment. The transition can be particularly challenging for military children with special needs, who may experience disruptions in their services when enrolling in a new school, he said.

“LB143 aims to ensure that when a student moves [into the district] with their military family, that student is connected to services as quickly as possible to minimize any learning loss,” Rountree said.

Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad supported the measure.

“I think it is definitely important that Sen. Rountree is moving [LB143] forward to help military families with special learning needs have better support services and accommodations, as they are entitled to under federal and state law,” Conrad said.

Senators voted 39-0 to advance the bill to select file.