This bill addresses several aspects of special education communication, reporting, and dispute resolution. Firstly, it allows school districts to provide parents with information about their child's special education program via email unless the parent opts for U.S. mail. Additionally, it requires local school districts to notify the Department of Education through the special education information system when a parent rejects an individualized education program (IEP), placement, identification, or evaluation, and mandates the Department to inform the parent about resolution processes within a specified timeframe.

The bill also modifies the Department of Education's annual special education reporting requirements, including the addition of a new report due by September 1 each year, which will analyze the identification of children with disabilities, include special education expenditures and revenues, and track the state's progress on various federal requirements. It introduces a requirement to report on parental refusals of services or placements and the resolution of such disputes. Furthermore, the bill amends the authority of the Advocate for Special Education to access documents and requires a memorandum of understanding for access to student records. It also specifies that the Advocate's annual report should include a summary of parent complaints and that the Advocate should have access to departmental databases for complaint resolution data. Lastly, the bill encourages local school districts to develop and report on alternative dispute resolution methods, with the Department of Education providing technical assistance and compiling this information. The act will take effect 60 days after its passage.

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