US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

20 U.S.C. § 1461

Purpose; definition of eligible entity

(a)

Purpose

The purpose of this part is—
(1)
to provide Federal funding for personnel preparation, technical assistance, model demonstration projects, information dissemination, and studies and evaluations, in order to improve early intervention, educational, and transitional results for children with disabilities; and
(2)
to assist State educational agencies and local educational agencies in improving their education systems for children with disabilities.
(b)

Definition of eligible entity

(1)

In general

In this part, the term “eligible entity” means—
(A)
a State educational agency;
(B)
a local educational agency;
(C)
a public charter school that is a local educational agency under State law;
(D)
an institution of higher education;
(E)
a public agency not described in subparagraphs (A) through (D);
(F)
a private nonprofit organization;
(G)
an outlying area;
(H)
section 5304 of title 25 an Indian tribe or a tribal organization (as defined under ); or
(I)
a for-profit organization, if the Secretary finds it appropriate in light of the purposes of a particular competition for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this part.
(2)

Special rule

The Secretary may limit which eligible entities described in paragraph (1) are eligible for a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this part to 1 or more of the categories of eligible entities described in paragraph (1).

Pub. L. 91–230, title VI, § 661Pub. L. 108–446, title I, § 101118 Stat. 2774(, as added , , .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 91–230, title VI, § 661Pub. L. 105–17, title I, § 101111 Stat. 130Pub. L. 108–446A prior section 1461, , as added , , , related to administrative provisions, prior to the general amendment of subchapters I to IV of this chapter by .

Pub. L. 91–230, title VI, § 661Pub. L. 99–457, title III, § 317100 Stat. 1172Pub. L. 100–630, title I, § 107(b)102 Stat. 3301Pub. L. 101–476, title VII, § 701104 Stat. 1140Pub. L. 102–119, § 25(a)(15)105 Stat. 606Pub. L. 105–17, title II, § 203(c)111 Stat. 157Another prior section 1461, , as added , , ; amended , , ; , title IX, § 901(b)(154)–(156), , , 1149; , (b), , , 607, related to financial assistance for the purpose of advancing use of new technology, media, and materials in education of students with disabilities and provision of related services and early intervention services to infants and toddlers with disabilities, prior to repeal by , , , effective .

Pub. L. 91–230, title VI, § 66184 Stat. 187Pub. L. 93–380, title VI, § 62188 Stat. 585Pub. L. 98–199, § 3(b)97 Stat. 1358Pub. L. 98–199, § 1497 Stat. 1374Another prior section 1461, , , ; , , ; , , , related to research, training, and model centers respecting special programs for children with specific learning disabilities, providing in subsec. (a), Secretary’s grant and contract authority, functions of model centers, and considerations governing making of contracts and grants; subsec. (b), other considerations in making awards, geographical distribution of training programs and trained personnel, and a model center in each State; and subsec. (c), appropriations authorization of $10, $20, and $20 million dollars for fiscal years ending through 1977, respectively, prior to repeal by , , .