Public Law (PL) 99-457, passed in 1986, is a federal law that expands services for children younger than 5-years-old who need special education. This law is now part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and makes grants available to states to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities ages 3-5. [1] In California, early educational opportunities are also made available to children younger than three years of age. [2] See Chapter 12, Information on Early Intervention Services.