RISE Act
- Bill Number
- S. 3589
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-07: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-10T12:03:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The RISE Act (Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act) aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve access to information for students with disabilities and their families. This helps them choose suitable colleges and succeed once enrolled by simplifying disability documentation, enhancing transparency in accommodation processes, funding support resources, and requiring data reporting on students with disabilities.
Key Provisions
- Definition Update (Section 2): Updates the reference in the definition of "disability" under the Higher Education Act to align with the correct statutory section.
- Institutional Policies for Accommodations (Section 3): Requires colleges and universities to:
- Accept specific types of high school or prior documentation (e.g., Individualized Education Programs or IEPs, Section 504 plans under the Rehabilitation Act, records from licensed professionals, or military service-related disability documentation) as sufficient proof of a disability for eligibility for accommodations.
- Maintain clear, transparent policies on how eligibility for accommodations is determined.
- Share this information in accessible formats with students, parents, and faculty, including during orientations and on public websites.
- Institutions may use even simpler criteria if they choose.
- Funding for Support Center (Section 4): Authorizes $10 million in federal funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, which provides resources and technical assistance.
- Data Reporting Requirements (Section 5): Mandates that institutions report key data on undergraduate students registered with disability services to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS, a federal database on higher education) or similar efforts. This includes:
- Total number of registered students.
- Number accessing accommodations (voluntarily reported).
- Percentage of undergraduates registered.
- Number of certificates or degrees awarded to registered students.
- Reporting is optional if it risks revealing personal information about individuals.
- Rule of Construction (Section 6): Clarifies that the Act does not change the meaning of "reasonable accommodation" or "record of impairment" under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), nor does it alter rights or remedies under the ADA.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Section 103 of the Higher Education Act to fix a technical reference in the disability definition.
- Adds new requirements to Section 487(a) for institutional policies on documentation and transparency, as well as data submission to IPEDS—previously, such standardized reporting and policy mandates for disabilities were not explicitly required.
- Modifies Section 777(a) to authorize specific funding for the National Center, shifting from general appropriations to a dedicated $10 million over five years, which was not previously outlined in this way.
These changes build on existing laws like the ADA and Rehabilitation Act by standardizing and easing processes without overriding them.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Education will oversee new reporting to IPEDS, manage the funded National Center, and ensure compliance, potentially increasing administrative workload but improving data-driven policymaking on disability support in higher education.
- On Citizens: Students with disabilities may face fewer barriers to obtaining accommodations, leading to higher college enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Families gain better access to clear information for college selection. No direct international relations impacts are noted.
- On Higher Education Institutions: Colleges must update policies, train staff, and report data, which could raise short-term costs but promote inclusivity and attract more diverse students.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Students with Disabilities: Primary beneficiaries through simplified access to accommodations and support.
- Families and Parents: Gain transparent information to aid college choices.
- Higher Education Institutions: Required to implement policies, report data, and disseminate information.
- U.S. Department of Education and National Center: Responsible for funding distribution, data collection, and technical support.
- Licensed Professionals and High Schools: Their documentation becomes more widely accepted for college transitions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces ADA and Rehabilitation Act compliance by streamlining documentation without altering core definitions or rights, potentially reducing disputes over eligibility. Protects privacy by exempting reports that could identify individuals.
- Constitutional: No direct challenges; aligns with equal protection under the 14th Amendment by promoting access to education for disabled individuals.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Senators from both parties) suggests broad support for disability rights in education. Could influence future funding debates or expand to other student support areas, emphasizing transparency and equity in higher education policy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (8)
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-07: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2026-01-07: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act — issued 2026-01-07 — PDF (6 pages)