HB 473

Public education; special education dispute resolution system; administration, organization, oversight, and training; regional special education ombudsman established. Makes several revisions and updates to the special education dispute resolution system, services, and resources in the Commonwealth, including by (i) requiring the Board of Education to prescribe procedures providing for a tiered dispute resolution system that encourages the use of mediation as an informal means of resolving disputes relating to special education and related services; (ii) expanding the duties of the State Parent Ombudsman for Special Education, including by requiring it to develop and implement an anonymous evaluation survey for individuals after contacting or using the State Parent Ombudsman for Special Education, collaborate with the Office of the Children's Ombudsman, provide certain training to its staff by a neutral, qualified expert, and provide additional support, resources, and technical assistance to the Parent Training and Information Center; (iii) expanding the duties of the Department of Education relating to the special education dispute resolution system, including requirements relating to oversight of school division complaints, the provision of neutral, qualified IEP facilitators and mediators, and the provision of training on the tiered dispute resolution system to parents, school personnel, and all special education mediators and hearing officers; and (iv) directing the Department of Education to establish four regional special education ombudsman centers for the purpose of serving as a resource for parents and school personnel on matters relating to the special education dispute resolution system and assisting with the monitoring and oversight of school division and school compliance with federal and state laws and regulations relating to special education dispute resolution.