H.B. No. 1813 aims to enhance parental rights and information access regarding public school special education programs in Texas. The bill amends Section 26.0081 of the Education Code to require the Texas Education Agency to produce a comprehensive document that outlines the process for developing individualized education programs (IEPs) and details parents' rights and responsibilities. This document will now include specific information about the right to representation by an attorney or other representative during special education due process hearings, as well as guidance on filing consumer complaints against non-attorney representatives who charge for their services. Additionally, a new subsection (a-1) mandates that this information be included in the notice of procedural safeguards provided to parents.

The bill also introduces new qualifications and requirements for special education representatives and hearing officers, as outlined in Section 29.0162. It prohibits individuals with a history of deceptive practices from serving as representatives against school districts and requires representatives to have knowledge of special education laws and due process procedures. Furthermore, it establishes a new Section 29.0165, which mandates the development of a special education law training course for non-attorney representatives, including provisions for a fee and options for financial assistance. The Texas Education Agency is tasked with implementing these changes and ensuring that training courses are available to enhance the quality of representation in special education hearings.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 26.0081, Education Code 29.0162 (Education Code 29, Education Code 26)
House Committee Report: Education Code 26.0081, Education Code 29.0162 (Education Code 29, Education Code 26)
Engrossed: Education Code 26.0081, Education Code 29.0162 (Education Code 29, Education Code 26)