Bill Would Update Higher Education Act To Boost Transparency On Campus Disability Supports

Washington, D.C. — Families of students with disabilities could soon get more standardized, easier-to-find information to help compare colleges and plan supports before enrollment under a new Senate proposal.

The measure, S.3589, was introduced in the U.S. Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, according to Congress.gov. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and was introduced in the Senate this week.

The legislation would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide students with disabilities and their families “access to critical information needed to select the right college and succeed once enrolled,” the bill’s official title states. The screenshot provided does not include additional details on what specific information would be required or how it would be presented.

For parents, the practical impact would center on making it easier to compare schools on disability-related supports before committing—especially for students transitioning from IEP or 504 plans to campus-based accommodations. While K–12 services are structured under different rules, college supports often depend on documentation, self-advocacy, and what each campus offers through its disability services office.

What parents should know

• Start a checklist now: documentation needed, accommodation request timelines, and who to contact on campus.
• Ask colleges directly about support intensity (testing accommodations, note-taking, housing needs) and how quickly requests are processed.

Next, S.3589 would need committee consideration, including potential hearings or a markup, before any Senate vote. Families can follow updates through the Senate HELP Committee and Congress.gov.

This article was produced by an education parenting today journalist with the assistance of AI. This is not legal advice. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.