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 September 26, 2023
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 |
Alaska | 2022 | Alaska Reads Act | Alaska Statutes Title 14 (Multiple provisions) | Bill Text HB 114Z |
Arizona | 2021; 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 | 2017; 2015 | Dyslexia Definition, Screening, Instruction | Arkansas Code 6-41-601 to 6-41-610 (2015 Code) |
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 | 2021 | Certified Academic Language Therapists | Arkansas Code § 6-41-612 | Engrossed Bill Text |
Arkansas | 2023 | LEARNS Act | ACT 237 Arkansas Code, Title 6 (multiple provisions) |
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 |
California | 2011; 1992 | Definitions and Eligibility for Special Education Services | Cal. Ed. Code 56245 and 56337 |
California | 2015 | Special Education: Dyslexia program guidelines | California Education Code 56334, 56335 |
California | 2021 | Teacher Credentialing | Education Code 44259 (Bill Text |
California | 2022 | School Accountabilitly (Data Reporting) | California Education Code 60900.1 (Bill Text) |
Colorado | 2008 | Assessment and identification of students with literacy challenges including dyslexia | Colorado Revised Statutes 22-2-133 |
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 |
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) |
Connecticut | 2021, 2019 | Dyslexia Law Implementation Task Force | Public Act No. 21-168 | Special Act 19-8 |
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) |
Delaware | 2022 | Universal Reading Screening | Delaware Code Title 14, § 158. Reading screening - House Bill 304 (Final) |
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) |
Florida | 2021 | Early Learning & Student Literacy | Florida Statutes, Section 1008.2125: Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring - Section 1008.25 Reading Deficiency and Parental Notification - Section 1012.585 Renewal of professional certificates Bill Text - HB 419 | Bill Text - HB 7011 |
Florida | 2022 | Student Progress Monitoring | Bill Text, SB 1048 |
Florida | 2023 | Parent Notification/ Scholarships | Chapter No. 2023-108 - Florida Statutes 1002.20, 1002.411, 1008.25 |
Georgia | 2019 | Dyslexia Screening & Services | Georgia Code 20-2-159.6, 20-2-208, 20-2-208.1 |
Georgia | 2023 | Georgia Council on Literacy | SB 211 - Act 8 |
Georgia | 2023 | Georgia Early Literacy Act | HB 538 - Act 9 |
Idaho | 2022 | Dyslexia Definition, Screening & Intervention | Idaho Code 33-1802, 33-1811 (HB 731) |
Illinois | 2016; 2014 | Definition of Dyslexia and Advisory group | 105 ILCS 5/2-3.161 |
Illinois | 2022 | Pre-K to Grade 2 Assessments | Illinois School Code Section 2-3.64a-15 |
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) |
Indiana | 2018 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Enrolled Act 217 |
Indiana | 2022 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Bill Text - Senate Bill 123 |
Iowa | 2014 | Dyslexia Assistance | Iowa Code 279.68.2d(3)(a) |
Iowa | 2016 | Teacher Training | Iowa Code 256.16 |
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. |
Kansas | 2023 | Dyslexia and Special Education Definitions | K.S.A. 2022 Supp. 72-3404, 75-5399. HB 2322 -Enrolled |
Kentucky | 2022, 2012 | Early Education Assessment and Intervention | KRS CHAPTER 158.305 (Added), KRS 157.200 (Amended) | 2022 Amendments - Acts Ch. 40 |
Kentucky | 2012 | Definitions of Dyslexia and Related Terms | HB 69 |
Kentucky | 2018 | Ready to Read Act | KRS 158 - new section (engrossed bill) |
Kentucky | 2023 | Statewide Reading Research Center | KRS 164.0207 - Bill Text |
Louisiana | 2013 | Dyslexia Testing and Remediation | Revised Statutes 17:7(11) |
Louisiana | 2009 | REPEALED: 2021 | Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:24.11 | |
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 | 2005, 2003, 1990, 1989, 1987, 1986 | Testing pupils' sight and hearing; testing for dyslexia; | Lousiana Rev. Statutes 17:2112 |
Louisiana | 2010 (numerous amendments since 1975) | Duties of State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education | Revised Statutes 17:7(11) |
Louisiana | 2022, 2021, 1997, 1992 | Screening and Intervention for School Success | Revised Statutes 17:392.1 | 2022 Act No. 622 |
Louisiana | 2020 | Revised Definition of Dyslexia | Lousiana Rev. Statutes 17:7(11)(d)(i) and 17:2112(B) |
Louisiana | 2021 | Early Literacy | Lousiana Rev. Statutes 17:24.9, to enact R.S. 17:24.10 and 3996(B)(59) and (60) [Bill Text] |
Louisiana | 2018 | Dyslexia practitioner; dyslexia therapist; ancillary certificates | Louisiana Revised Statutes 17.392.2 |
Louisiana | 2022 | Teacher Education - Dyslexia | R.S. 17:7.2(D) , R.S. 17:7.2(A)(7) (2022 Act 607) |
Louisiana | 2023 | Dyslexia Screening | Act 266 |
Louisiana | 2023 | Mandatory Grade Retention/ Dyslexia Services | Act 422 |
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 | 1983 | Exempting students with dyslexia from standardized college entrance exams | Massachusetts General Laws Ch 15A Sec. 30 |
Massachusetts | 2018 | Students with Dyslexia | General Laws Section 57; Amendments to Section 1 of chapter 287 of the Acts of 2012 Bill Text |
Minnesota | 2016 | Reading Proficiency; Dyslexia Reporting | Minnesota Statutes 120B.12; 125A.56, subdivision 1 |
Minnesota | 2015 | Definition of Dyslexia | Minnesota Statutes 125A.01 |
Minnesota | 2017 | Dyslexia Specialist | Minnesota Statutes 120B.122 |
Minnesota | 2019 | Dyslexia Identification & Screening | Minnesota Statutes section 120B.12, subdivision 2 |
Minnesota | 2019 | Teacher Education Programs | Minnesota Statutes section 122A.092, subdivision 5 |
Mississippi | 2017; 2012 | Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship | MS Code Title 37, Chapter 173 (2015 code) |
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 | 2019 | Loan Forgiveness for Dyslexia Teachers | Mississippi Code Sections 37-106-71, 37-106-57 |
Missouri | 2012 | Policy for Reading Intervention | Missouri Revised Statutes, Section 167.268 |
Missouri | 2016 | Dyslexia Screening | Missouri Revised Statutes Section 167.950.1 |
Missouri | 2022 | Literacy and reading instruction | Missouri Revised Statutes 161.097, 167.645, 178.694 (2022 Bill Text) |
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 | 2017 | Adds and Defines Dyslexia for purposes of Special Education | Nebraska Revised Statute 79-1118.01 (6), (13) |
Nebraska | 2018 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Slip Law - LB 1052 |
Nevada | 2015 | Dyslexia Screening and Services | Nevada Revised Statutes 388.439 through 388.447 |
Nevada | 2023 | Rights of Students with IEPs | SB 315 |
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) |
Ohio | 2021 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Ohio Revised Code sections 3310.03, 3310.522, 3313.976, 3314.03, 3323.11, 3323.25, 3326.11, 3328.24, 3319.077, 3319.078, 3323.25 (Legislation Text) |
Oklahoma | 2012 | Pilot Dyslexia Teacher Training Program | Oklahoma Statutes, Title 70, Section 7001 |
Oklahoma | 2016, 2018 | Definition of Specific Learning Disability including Dyslexia | 70-18-109.5; 2018 Amendment |
Oklahoma | 2022, 2019 | Annual Dyslexia Awareness Training in Schools | Oklahoma Statutes, Title 70 Section 6-194; Amended 2022 (Enrolled Bill) |
Oklahoma | 2020 | Required Dyslexia Screening | Oklahoma Statutes Title 70, Section 1210.520 (Bill Text) |
Oklahoma | 2022, 2021 | State Dyslexia & Dysgraphia Handbook | Oklahoma Statutes Title 70, Section 1210.517 (Bill Text), Amended 2022 (Enrolled Bill) |
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 |
Pennsylvania | 2022 | Teacher Literacy Education | Pennsylvania Public School Code, Sec. 1205.8 (Bill Text) |
Rhode Island | 2016 | Dyslexia-targeted literacy assistance | RI Statutes 16-67-2 |
Rhode Island | 2022, 2019 | Right To Read Act | Rhode Island Statutes 16-11.4-6 | Bill Text - 2022 Amendment |
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 |
South Carolina | 2018 | Universal Screening | Title 59, Chap 33, Art 5 |
South Dakota | 2020 | Define Dyslexia | Section 13-37-28.1 |
Tennessee | 2019; 2016 | Dyslexia Screening and Intervention | Tennessee Code §49-1-229 |
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 | 2022 | Individualized Education Act - Dyslexia | Tennessee Code Annotated § 49-10-1402 Pub. Ch. 1019 |
Tennesseee | 2020, 2018 | Dyslexia Advisory Board | Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 4-29-241 (a) and Section 4-29~248(a) |
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 | 2021, 2011 | Educator Preparation for Dyslexia | Amendments to Texas Education Code Sections 21.054, 21.4552 |
Texas | 2015; 2009 | Licensed Dyslexia Practitioners and Licensed Dyslexia Therapists | Occupations Code, Ch. 403 |
Texas | 2011 | Retesting University students for dyslexia | Texas Education Code Section 51.9701 |
Texas | 2011 | Examination Accommodations For Person With Dyslexia | Texas Occupations Code 54.003 |
Texas | 2017 | Dyslexia Specialist at Regional Centers | Education Code Section 8.061 |
Texas | 2021, 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 | 2019 | School District Dyslexia Allotment | Texas Education Code Sec. 48.103 |
Texas | 2023 | Dyslexia Evaluations & Services | HB 3298 |
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 | 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 | 2018 | Required university coursework in dyslexia | Virginia Code §23.1-902.1 |
Virginia | 2023, 2021 | Reading Standards & Intervention | Code of Virginia 22.1-253.13:1 | 2023 Amendments |
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 |
West Virginia | 2023 | Reading Instruction & Intervention | §18 - 2 E- 13 - Bill Text |
Wisconsin | 2020 | Dyslexia Guidebook | Acts 86 |
Wisconsin | 2023 | Reading Instruction & Intervention | Act 20 |
Wyoming | 2022; 2019; 2012 | Assessment and Early Intervention | Wyoming Statutes 21-3-110(a)(xxiii) ; W.S. 21-3-401 |
This does not include the legislation from Kansas.
Thank you for bringing the new Kansas law to our attention — we have now added the 2023 law with a link to the bill text.
We live in Chester County PA one of the largest growing areas in PA. However in Pennsylvania there is nothing stating that Dyslexia/Dysgraphia is a learning disability. It is very concerning but our son is in 4th grade and ion a lifeskills program which is not appropriate. We need to move to a location that already has support in place that is already written in law. What is the best state and location for support for this at this time?
Sorry, we can’t give you any advice — we only track the laws as they are passed, we have no information as to how they are being implemented. So you can use the chart on this page to look up the laws of any state where you are considering relocating.
Please keep in mind that moving to a different state is probably not going to be an efficient way to get your son the services you want. When states pass laws, it takes a while for regulations to be implemented and for the provisions of the law to filter down into practice within the local school districts. You probably would do much better to make direct inquiries about the schools in any area where you are considering relocating, to get a sense of what services they would be able to provide.
I live in the state of Michigan. Our children with dyslexia are falling thru the cracks in the public school system. Can anyone on this site please tell me who do I contact?
A starting point is to contact your local state senator or representative. This article describes how a mom in Wyoming got started:
https://www.dyslegia.com/working-to-change-the-law/
You can also check the links on our resource page for Advocacy Organizations at https://www.dyslegia.com/resource-links/advocacy-links/
These are organizations already working to change the laws, and you could check their websites to find out whether there are local chapters in your state.
Washington State has a new law, “Dyslexia Interventions” RCW 28A.320.260 which went into effect this 2021-22 school year. It requires screening for dyslexia in K-2 and use of appropriate “structured literacy” based interventions by educators who are trained in those intervention techniques.
Yes, you will see that this law is listed on the chart and that we have a link to the Code section. If you are not seeing it, just use the search function at the top of the chart.
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. 🙂