The legislative bill SF No. 507 is aimed at improving participation in the educational planning process for parents of children with disabilities who need language assistance. This bill mandates school districts in Minnesota to develop and adopt specific policies that:

1. Ensure parents who need language assistance are able to actively participate in shaping their child’s education program. This includes:

   • Providing free translation and interpretation services.
   • Offering key documents related to an individualized education program (IEP) in multiple languages.
   • Ensuring parents understand the information in these documents.
   • Making sure documents are provided at least a day before any meeting related to the IEP.

2. Include a systematic procedure for:

   • Identifying parents needing language help.
   • Informing these parents about the new policy in a language they understand, using oral translation if necessary.
   • Considering changes to the IEP process that help these parents participate more meaningfully.

The bill also requires that this policy and its details be communicated to teachers and relevant school staff and be prominently posted on the school district's website in English and the three most common non-English languages spoken in the district. Schools must also annually notify parents of children with disabilities about the policy.

The overall goal of the bill is to make the educational process more inclusive and accessible for parents who face language barriers, ensuring that they have the necessary support to contribute to their children's education effectively.