RISE Act
Sponsored By: Senator Banks, Jim [R-IN]
Introduced
Summary
Broadens what counts as disability documentation and forces clearer accommodation processes at postsecondary institutions. The bill would require institutions to publish accessible eligibility rules, collect and report disability data to federal systems, and authorize $10.0 million for a National Center supporting students with disabilities.
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- Students with disabilities would be able to use a wider set of records to establish eligibility and get clearer, accessible information about accommodations during orientation and on public institutional websites.
- Postsecondary institutions would have to adopt transparent, documented eligibility processes and recognize multiple types of documentation as sufficient to establish disability.
- Institutions would be required to report key disability metrics to IPEDS or other federal collections, including counts of registered students, those receiving accommodations, the percent of undergraduates registered, and degrees awarded to these students, while protecting personally identifiable information.
*Would authorize $10.0 million for fiscal years 2027-2031 for the National Center for Information and Technical Support for Postsecondary Students with Disabilities, increasing authorized federal spending by $10.0 million.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Easier proof and ADA protections
If enacted, the bill would require postsecondary institutions to treat common school and medical records as sufficient proof of disability. Eligible documents would include a high-school IEP or a Section 504 plan used in high school. They would also include licensed professional evaluations, disability records from other colleges, ADA service records, and military service-connected disability documentation. Institutions would have to publish clear, accessible rules about eligibility and share them at orientation and on public websites. The bill would also say its changes do not alter meanings or rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Funding for disability support center
If enacted, the bill would authorize $10 million to carry out a national center for postsecondary students with disabilities for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. This is an authorization, not an appropriation. Congress would still need to appropriate the money before it could be spent.
College reporting of disability data
If enacted, colleges would report counts of undergraduate students formally registered with disability services to federal data systems like IPEDS. They would report total registered students, how many receive accommodations (as voluntarily reported), percent of undergraduates registered, and degrees or certificates awarded to those students. Colleges would not be required to send data that would identify an individual student.
Correction to disability definition reference
If enacted, the bill would change a cross-reference in the Higher Education Act definition of 'disability' by replacing 'section 3(2)' with 'section 3'. This technical fix could change how some HEA rules apply to students. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Banks, Jim [R-IN]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
LA • R
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
IN • R
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 1/7/2026
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 1/8/2026
Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
MO • R
Sponsored 1/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov