Support A Statewide Special Education Parent Collaborative in California – Help Pass AB 2189!

By Julie Schurman, Esq., Director of Public Policy, The Arc & UCP California Collaboration

AB 2189 by Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen – a bill that would create a Statewide Special Education Parent Advocacy Collaborative – will be heard in the Senate Human Services Committee on Monday, June 29, 2026. We need your help to show lawmakers that families, self-advocates, and disability organizations support this important bill.

What Would AB 2189 Do?

It would provide the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) with funding to establish a statewide Special Education collaborative. It would bring together parents, self-advocates, community organizations and decision makers in the special education space from across California to identify challenges in special education, share solutions, and help improve outcomes for students with disabilities.

AB 2189 would create a statewide network that helps ensure the voices of families and students are heard at the state level and that policymakers in Sacramento receive direct feedback about what is working and what needs to improve.

This bill is an important investment in parent and self-advocate leadership, family engagement, and better educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

How Can You Support AB 2189?

1) Submit a Letter of Support to the California Senate Human Services Committee by June 22.

Support Letter Templates:

• • • Click HERE for Individuals

• • • Click HERE for Organizations

How to Submit Your Letter:

You may upload your letter directly through the California Legislature Position Letter Portal: https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates/

Or, if you would like assistance, email your signed letter to: info@thearcca.org and The Arc of California can submit your support letter to the Legislature on your behalf.

2) Attend the Hearing and Show Your Support

We encourage parents, self-advocates, family members, educators, service providers, and disability organizations to attend the hearing in person and provide a simple “Me Too” statement of support for the bill.

HEARING INFORMATION

Date: Monday, June 29, 2026   |  Time: 3:00 PM, or later   |  Location: 1021 O Street, Room 2200, Sacramento, CA

Speaking in support is easy. When called, you can simply state your name, your connection to the disability community or the organization you represent and say, “I support AB 2189.”

The committee agenda will be posted here when available: https://shum.senate.ca.gov/agenda

YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

AB 2189 was developed because families and self-advocates know firsthand the challenges students with disabilities face in the special education system. The more voices lawmakers hear from, the stronger our message becomes.

Please submit a support letter, attend the hearing if you can, and share this action alert with others who care about improving special education in California.