H.R. 8073 — Protection and Advocacy for Student Success Act

This section establishes a grant program under which the Secretary of Education awards funds to protection and advocacy systems—state-level entities established under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (i.e., to protect and advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities)—to protect rights and advocate for the educational needs of children, youth, and adults eligible (or potentially eligible) for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, in any educational setting. Grant funds may be used to (1) monitor and identify legal violations affecting students with disabilities; (2) advocate for safe conditions and against dangerous practices such as seclusion and restraint; (3) collaborate with parent training and information centers under IDEA (20 U.S.C. 1471); (4) seek redress in dispute resolution; (5) advocate for systemic change; and (6) pursue remedies to ensure entitled services and protections. Eligible systems must have authority to investigate abuse and neglect, pursue remedies, and access individuals, records, and facilities as under current law. For appropriations under $6,750,000, the Secretary reserves funds per specified formula and awards remaining amounts as competitive grants with minimums of $120,000 (for states, D.C., and Puerto Rico) or $60,000 (for territories and the American Indian consortium); for $6,750,000 or more, reserves apply per alternative formula and awards use a population-based allocation with the same minimums.