Publication Date
2026
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Department
Social Work, Department of
Student Level
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Carmen Foster
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delays often require consistent therapeutic interventions such as speech therapy, occupational therapy (OT), or applied behavior analysis (ABA) in order to meaningfully access their education (Treatment and Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder, 2024). However, service shortages, scheduling barriers, and restrictions on outside providers during the school day frequently create gaps in care. As a result, families may be forced to choose between their child’s educational attendance and the continuity of medically or developmentally necessary services.
House Bill 2327 and corresponding Senate Bill 2055 seek to address this barrier by requiring Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to permit private pay providers access to students during the school day when those services are aligned with the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) or service agreement. If enacted, this legislation would require: coordination between private providers and school personnel, adherence to background and regulatory standards, and establishment of safeguards and dispute resolution pathways.
This bill exists at the intersection of disability rights, parental choice, educational equity, and interdisciplinary collaboration. While we support HB2327/SB2055 for expanding access to necessary services and promoting collaboration between families, schools, and community providers, we believe improvements are needed in implementation and enforcement mechanisms to ensure equitable access, consistent oversight, and accountability across districts. In doing so, this legislation has the potential to promote evidence-based advocacy practice and to uphold core social work values.
Recommended Citation
Cousino, Kya; Redford, Emily; and Vetters, Leah M., "Evaluating the Impact of Tennessee House Bill 2327 & Senate Bill 2055" (2026). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 1136.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/1136
