The Rhode Island House of Representatives has passed a bill that would mandate schools to inform parents about Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts when their child has an IEP meeting.
Sponsored by Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D- Portsmouth, Middletown), the bill (2024-H 7612) would require school districts to provide families with information about the ABLE program at their annual IEP meeting, starting with the 2024-2025 school year.
ABLE accounts are federally recognized investment accounts that allow family members to deposit money for future expenses for their designated beneficiary. When the child reaches adulthood, the funds in the ABLE account can be used for qualified expenses such as education, housing, transportation, employment training, personal support services, wellness, financial management and more.
“Every parent wants their child to have a bright future, and to have their needs met throughout their lives. ABLE accounts are an excellent opportunity for parents to provide for their child’s future, and every family whose student might benefit from them should know about them. Providing that information each year at their IEP meeting is a way to ensure that they are aware of them, and are reminded periodically of how to open an ABLE account for their child’s future,” said Representative Cortvriend.
The bill now moves to the U.S. Senate where a companion bill is pending (2024-S 2741).
For more information about ABLE accounts, visit savewithable.com.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
