Listed below are current state laws related to dyslexia. You can click on column heads to re-order the list. as needed.
If you know of a specific statute that should be added to the list, please leave a comment below.
You will also find reports and publications issued by various states here: Resource Links: State Educational Resources.
Table updated April 10, 2021
| State | Year of Enactment | Title or Subject | Citation/Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2015 | Dyslexia provisions of Administrative Code | Section 20 |
| Alabama | 2019 | Alabama Literacy Act | HB 388 |
| Alaska | 2018 | Legislative Task Force on Reading Proficiency and Dyslexia. | CHAPTER 52 SLA 18 |
| Arizona | 2019; 2018; 2017; 2015 | Dyslexia Screening & Interventon | Arizona Revised Statutes 15-211 (K-3 Reading program); 15-501.01 (Requirements for Teachers) 15-701 (Promotion & Retention), 15-704 (Reading Proficiency) - - 2019 Amendments |
| Arizona | 2017 | Dyslexia Handbook | Arizona Revised Statutes 15-249.07 |
| Arkansas | 2019 | Right to Read Act | Arkansas Code § 6-15-2914(b), § 6-17-429(c), § 6-17-429(e)-(g) |
| Arkansas | 2019 | Required Dyslexia Services for Incarcerated Youth and Adults | Arkansas Code 6-41-602, 6-41-602, 9-31-501, 9-31-502, 9-31-503 |
| Arkansas | 2017; 2015 | Dyslexia Definition, Screening, Instruction | Arkansas Code 6-41-601 to 6-41-610 (2015 Code) |
| California | 2015 | Special Education: Dyslexia program guidelines | California Education Code 56334, 56335 |
| California | 2011; 1992 | Definitions and Eligibility for Special Education Services | Cal. Ed. Code 56245 and 56337 |
| California | 2007; 1990 | Teacher Training: "Encourages" universities and schools to provide training in recognizing and teaching for dyslexia | California Education Code 44227.7 and 56245 |
| Colorado | 2019 | Dyslexia Research Working Group | Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 22, Article 20.5 - Signed Act |
| Colorado | 2020, 2019 | Pilot Program for Dyslexia | Colo. Rev. Stat. § 22-20.5-104 |
| Colorado | 2008 | Assessment and identification of students with literacy challenges including dyslexia | Colorado Revised Statutes 22-2-133 |
| Connecticut | 2019 | Dyslexia Law Implementation Task Force | Special Act 19-8 |
| Connecticut | 2017; 2016; 2015 | Dyslexia Assessment & Instruction; Teacher Training | Connecticut general statutes 10-14t (Reading Assessment), 10-145a (Teacher Training), 10-145d(Teacher Training),10-220a (In-service training) |
| Delaware | 2015 | Alternate forms of assessment for LD students; IEP and intervention for children not reading at age 7 | Delaware Code Title 14, §151(j) (Alternate Assessment); §3110(e) (Reading IEP) |
| District of Columbia | 2020 | Dyslexia Screening and Prevention Pilot Program | D.C. Act 23-548 |
| Florida | 2017 | School Community Professional Development Act | Florida Statutes 1012.98 (11) |
| Georgia | 2019 | Dyslexia Screening & Services | Georgia Code 20-2-159.6, 20-2-208, 20-2-208.1 |
| Illinois | 2016; 2014 | Definition of Dyslexia and Advisory group | 105 ILCS 5/2-3.161 |
| Indiana | 2018 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Enrolled Act 217 |
| Indiana | 2015 | Dyslexia Definition; Teacher Training | Indiana Code §20-18-2-3.5 (Definition of Dyslexia); IN Code §20-20-1-13 (Teacher in service training for dyslexia); IN Code §20-28-3-5 (Teacher education, dyslexia referral) |
| Iowa | 2020 | Dyslexia Definition & Teacher Training | Iowa Code 2020, Section 256.7, subsection 3; Section 256.9, subsection 60; Section 256.32A; Section 272.2, subsection. 23; Section 273.2, subsection 11; Section 273.3, subsection 25; Section 279.68, subsection 2, paragraph d,subparagraph (3), subparagraph division (a). Section 279.72. |
| Iowa | 2016 | Teacher Training | Iowa Code 256.16 |
| Iowa | 2014 | Dyslexia Assistance | Iowa Code 279.68.2d(3)(a) |
| Kentucky | 2012 | Definitions of Dyslexia and Related Terms | HB 69 |
| Kentucky | 2018 | Ready to Read Act | KRS 158 - new section (engrossed bill) |
| Kentucky | 2012 | Early Education Assessment and Intervention | KRS CHAPTER 158.305 (Added), KRS 157.200 (Amended) |
| Louisiana | 2009 | Universal dyslexia screening and intervention - Pilot Program | Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:24.11 |
| Louisiana | 2005, 2003, 1990, 1989, 1987, 1986 | Testing pupils' sight and hearing; testing for dyslexia; | Lousiana Rev. Statutes 17:2112 |
| Louisiana | 2020 | Revised Definition of Dyslexia | Act No. 206; Lousiana Rev. Statutes 17:7(11)(d)(i) and 2112(B) |
| Louisiana | 2010 (numerous amendments since 1975) | Duties of State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education | Revised Statutes 17:7(11) |
| Louisiana | 2010, 2009 | Decisions of Board of Parole: Exempting individuals with dyslexia from certain conditions premised on educational attainment | Louisiana Rev Statutes 15:574.4.2 (E) |
| Louisiana | 1997, 1992 | Screening and Intervention for School Success | Revised Statutes 17:392.1 |
| Louisiana | 2013 | Dyslexia Testing and Remediation | Revised Statutes 17:7(11) |
| Maine | 2015 | Dyslexia Screening; Dyslexia Coordinator | Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A,§4710-B |
| Maryland | 2019 | Dyslexia Screening | Chapter 512 - Education 1-101(a) and (f); 4-135 |
| Massachusetts | 2018 | Students with Dyslexia | General Laws Section 57; Amendments to Section 1 of chapter 287 of the Acts of 2012 Bill Text |
| Massachusetts | 1983 | Exempting students with dyslexia from standardized college entrance exams | Massachusetts General Laws Ch 15A Sec. 30 |
| Minnesota | 2019 | Dyslexia Identification & Screening | Minnesota Statutes section 120B.12, subdivision 2 |
| Minnesota | 2019 | Teacher Education Programs | Minnesota Statutes section 122A.092, subdivision 5 |
| Minnesota | 2015 | Definition of Dyslexia | Minnesota Statutes 125A.01 |
| Minnesota | 2016 | Reading Proficiency; Dyslexia Reporting | Minnesota Statutes 120B.12; 125A.56, subdivision 1 |
| Minnesota | 2017 | Dyslexia Specialist | Minnesota Statutes 120B.122 |
| Mississippi | 2019 | Loan Forgiveness for Dyslexia Teachers | Mississippi Code Sections 37-106-71, 37-106-57 |
| Mississippi | 2007; 2001; 1999; 1997; 1996; 1994 | Pilot programs for testing and educational remediation for dyslexia and related disorders. | Mississippi Code 37-23-15 |
| Mississippi | 2017; 2012 | Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship | MS Code Title 37, Chapter 173 (2015 code) |
| Missouri | 2012 | Policy for Reading Intervention | Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 167.268 |
| Missouri | 2016 | Dyslexia Screening | Missouri Revised Statutes Section 167.950.1 |
| Missssippi | 2021 | Dyslexia Education Requirements | Mississippi Code Sections 37-173-9 (Bill Text) |
| Montana | 2019 | Montana Dyslexia Screening and Intervention Act | Title 20, chapter 7, part 4 |
| Nebraska | 2018 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Slip Law - LB 1052 |
| Nebraska | 2017 | Adds and Defines Dyslexia for purposes of Special Education | Nebraska Revised Statute 79-1118.01 (6), (13) |
| Nevada | 2015 | Dyslexia Screening and Services | Nevada Revised Statutes 388.439 through 388.447 |
| New Hampshire | 2016 | Screening and Intervention for Dyslexia | NH RSA 200:58 (Definitions) 200:49 (Screening & Intervention) 200:60 (Reading Specialist) 200:61 (Teacher Training) 200:62 (Dyslexia Resource Guide) |
| New Jersey | 2013 | Screening for Dyslexia | NJ Rev Stat § 18A:40-5.2 (Distribution of Information)NJ Rev Stat § 18A:40-5.3 (Screening) NJ Rev Stat § 18A:40-5.4(Comprehensive Assessment) |
| New Jersey | 2013 | Definitions relative to Reading Disabilities | : NJ Rev Stat § 18A:40-5.1 |
| New Jersey | 2013 | Professional Development related to reading disabilities | http://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/2016/title-18a/section-18a-6-130/ |
| New Mexico | 2010 | Intervention for students displaying characteristics of dyslexia. | NMSA 22-13-6 (Definition of Dyslexia) NMSA 23-13-32 (Intervention) |
| New York | 2017 | Education Guidance Memorandum | New York Education Code Sec. 305, subdiv. 56 (added 2017) |
| North Carolina | 2017 | Students with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia | Session Law 127 |
| North Dakota | 2019 | Dyslexia Screening Pilot Program | North Dakota Century Code 15.1-32 |
| North Dakota | 2021 | Dyslexia Specialist Credentialing | North Dakota Century Code 15.1-02-16 (Bill Text) |
| Ohio | 2012 | Pilot Project - Early Intervention and Screening | Revised Code 3323.01 (inclusion of dyslexia); Revised Code 3323.25 (Pilot Project) |
| Oklahoma | 2019 | Annual Dyslexia Awareness Training in Schools | Oklahoma Statutes, Title 70 Section 6-194 |
| Oklahoma | 2012 | Pilot Dyslexia Teacher Training Program | Oklahoma Statutes, Title 70, Section 7001 |
| Oklahoma | 2020 | Required Dyslexia Screening | Oklahoma Statutes Title 70, Section 1210.520 (Bill Text) |
| Oklahoma | 2016, 2018 | Definition of Specific Learning Disability including Dyslexia | 70-18-109.5; 2018 Amendment |
| Oregon | 2017; 2015 | Dyslexia Provisions | OR Rev Stat § 326.726 (dyslexia specialist school screening); OR Rev Stat § 342.950 (teacher training) |
| Pennsylvania | 2014 | Dyslexia Intervention Pilot Program | Public Law 773, No. 69 |
| Rhode Island | 2019 | Education of Children with Dyslexia | Rhode Island Statutes 16.67.2-1, 16.67.2-2, 16.67.2-3, 16.67.2-4, 16.67.2-5 |
| Rhode Island | 2016 | Dyslexia-targeted literacy assistance | RI Statutes 16-67-2 |
| Rhode Island | 2019 | Right To Read Act | Rhode Island Statutes 16-11.4-6 |
| South Carolina | 2018 | Universal Screening | Title 59, Chap 33, Art 5 |
| South Dakota | 2020 | Define Dyslexia | Section 13-37-28.1 |
| Tennessee | 2019 | Required Accommodations for Dyslexia on State Licensing Exams | Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 19 |
| Tennessee | 2021 | Literacy Success Act | Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapters 1, 5, & 6. | Bill Text |
| Tennessee | 2019; 2016 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Tennessee Code §49-1-229 |
| Tennesseee | 2020, 2018 | Dyslexia Advisory Board | Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-29-241 (a) and Section 4-29~248(a) |
| Texas | 2019 | School District Dyslexia Allotment | Texas Education Code Sec. 48.103 |
| Texas | 2017 | Dyslexia Specialist at Regional Centers | Education Code Section 8.061 |
| Texas | 2019 | Monitoring School Compliance | Texas Education Code Section 7.028(a); 28.006 Subsections (g-2) and (1); 38.003, Subsection (c) and (c-1) | Bill Text |
| Texas | 2011 | Retesting University students for dyslexia | Texas Education Code Section 51.9701 |
| Texas | 2011 | Classroom technology for dyslexia | Texas Education Code Section 38.0031 |
| Texas | 2019, 2017, 2011, 1995 | Screening and Treatment for Dyslexia and Related Disorders | Texas Education Code §38.003 |
| Texas | 2011 | Educator Preparation for Dyslexia | Amendments to Texas Education Code Section 21.044 and 21.054 |
| Texas | 2011 | Examination Accommodations For Person With Dyslexia | Texas Occupations Code 54.003 |
| Texas | 2015; 2009 | Licensed Dyslexia Practitioners and Licensed Dyslexia Therapists | Occupations Code, Ch. 403 |
| Texas | 2017 | Special Education Transition Planning | Education Code 29.011; 20.0112 (b), (e); 29.017 |
| Utah | 2019; 2015 | Interventions for Reading Difficulties Program | Utah Code Title 53A Chapter 15 Part 1 Section 106 |
| Virginia | 2018 | Required university coursework in dyslexia | Virginia Code §23.1-902.1 |
| Virginia | 2017 | Dyslexia Advisor in Public Schools | § 22.1-253.13:2 of the Code of Virginia (Amendment to Section G) |
| Virginia | 2016 | Teacher Training, Dyslexia Awareness | Virginia Code § 22.1-298.1(8)-Regulations governing licensure | § 22.1-298.4. Teacher preparation programs; learning disabilities |
| Virginia | 2021 | Reading Standards & Intervention | Code of Virginia 22.1-253.13:1 |
| Virginia | 2021 | Special Education Policies & Procedures | Virginia Code Chapter 22, Article 1, Sections 214, 214.4, 215, 25.13:4, 298.1 (Bill Text) |
| Washington | 2009 | Individuals with dyslexia — Identification and instruction | Revised Code of Washington 28A.300.530 |
| West Virginia | 2014 | Dyslexia and dyscalculia defined | West Virginia Code §18-20-10 |
| Wisconsin | 2020 | Dyslexia Guidebook | Acts 86 |
| Wyoming | 2019; 2012 | Assessment and Early Intervention | Wyoming Statutes 21-3-110(a)(xxiii) ; W.S. 21-3-401 |
If a state is not listed then what? They just have nothing?
The table on this page lists all state laws specifically tied to dyslexia that we know of. So you are correct — if a state is not listed, it means that state probably does not have any laws on its books specifically referencing the word “dyslexia.”
I believe Kansas needs to be added to this list. 🙂 Here is the link with the plan that Kansas approved;
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zQvhdwNPu1eQXYdq7B4jMXJSnfldq-2g/view
Ann, thank you for sharing that information, but the chart on this page lists only laws that have been passed by state legislatures.
The document you shared is a set of recommendations issued by the Kansas Department of Education, but it does not have the force of law. Rather, it merely reflects current policy — and even the title shows that it is a “recommendation” and not a requirement.
The document you shared is a good resource for Kansas parents, though — so we have added it to our State Education Resources page at https://www.dyslegia.com/resource-links/state-resources/
You might find that this article sheds some light on the history of attempts to pass a dyslexia law in Kansas – https://www.kansascity.com/news/state/kansas/article215092575.html
You can also find information about Kansas legislative initiatives that we have tracked here:
https://www.dyslegia.com/tag/kansas/
Thanks for the info. I thought it was further than it was. I continue to remain hopeful and watch that other states will join the cause. Thanks for keeping up with all of it. I look forward to the day when it becomes a national law and not by individual states. 🙂