IDEA 2004: HOUSE BILL 610

Reducing government control and returning control to each State was supposed to be the focus.
It appears we don’t know the exact wording of Bill 610 yet.

In light of the following clause, if passed this bill effectively prevents federal funding to be directed outside of its limited scope. The bill doesn’t have to include language specifically withdrawing recognition of other laws in order to provide a means to negate them. It clearly states how funds are to be allocated and removes any possibility of directing those resources elsewhere.

(b) Limitation On Secretarial Authority.—The authority of the Secretary under this title is limited to evaluating State applications under section 104 and making payments to States under section 103. The Secretary shall not impose any further requirements on States with respect to elementary and secondary education beyond the requirements of this title.

We have lots of rights guaranteed by government that are impossible to access or enforce in the absence of financial support.

So, in answer to the question about special needs kids, the bills wording means that states will have to either fully fund IDEA with state money or accept its inevitable death.