Bills for disabled kids' education, employment pass Senate

A package of bills moving through the Legislature seeks to enhance the education and employment prospects for disabled children.

The bills, which passed the state Senate Wednesday, have a powerful champion: State Senate President Andy Gardiner, who has a child with Down syndrome.

One bill allows universities to set up courses of post-secondary study for the intellectually disabled. Another aims to increase employment of the disabled in state government and encourage it in private industry.

Another allows tax-free personal savings accounts to benefit disabled children as they age, and a fourth expands a state program to provide scholarships for disabled children to enroll in special education programs.

A package of similar bills is moving through the state House.

Republished with permission of the Associated Press.