This bill addresses communication between parents and school districts regarding special education, expands special education reporting requirements, and outlines the role of the office of the advocate for special education. Specifically, it allows school districts to provide parents with written notices and records about their child's individualized education program (IEP) via email unless the parent opts for U.S. mail. It also requires local school districts to notify the department through the special education information system when a parent rejects an IEP, placement, identification, or evaluation, and mandates the department to inform the parent about dispute resolution processes within a specified timeframe.

The bill amends annual reporting requirements for the department of education, including the need to submit an annual report by September 1st, which analyzes the identification of children with disabilities, includes special education expenditures and revenues, and tracks compliance with federal and state education acts. It also adds a requirement to report on parental refusals of services or placements and the resolution of such disputes. The advocate for special education is granted access to student records, with necessary parental consent, to review documents related to special education services, and is expected to prepare an annual report summarizing parent complaints. Local school districts are encouraged to develop alternative dispute resolution options and report their effectiveness to the department of education. The act is set to take effect on October 01, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 186-C:7
As Amended by the House: 186-C:7, 186-C:3-, 186-C:38, 186-C:39, 186-C:23-a
Version adopted by both bodies: 186-C:7, 186-C:3-, 186-C:38, 186-C:39, 186-C:23-a
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 186-C:7, 186-C:3-, 186-C:38, 186-C:39, 186-C:23-a