Bill > H129

This bill aims to ensure children with disabilities have equal access to necessary evaluations by requiring the secretary of health and human services to establish adequate rates for independent evaluations, which are assessments conducted by professionals outside of the school system to determine a child's disability and educational needs. These rates will cover various assessment activities, including testing, interviews, record reviews, and report writing, and will be reviewed and adjusted at least every three years to ensure evaluators are experienced and can complete evaluations in a timely manner. The bill also clarifies that "educational assessments" will now be referred to as "independent evaluations" and mandates that these evaluations be conducted by licensed professionals. Furthermore, parents or guardians who are successful in a hearing before the bureau of special education appeals (BSEA), a state agency that handles disputes regarding special education services, will be entitled to reasonable expert fees and costs.