SB 125 — Disability Rights Protections in Public Schools

SECTIONSECTION1. 1.

InInColoradoRevisedStatutes,addarticle29.5totitle Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 29.5 to title 22 as follows:

-4- 125 ARTICLE 29.5 Disability Rights Protections in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools 22-29.5-101.

(1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT:THAT :

(a)Capital Sletters ECTIONor 2OFbold ARTICLE& IXitalic OFnumbers THEindicate STATEnew CONSTITUTIONmaterial REQUIRESTHESTATETOMAINTAINATHOROUGHANDUNIFORMSYSTEMOFadded FREEto PUBLICexisting SCHOOLSlaw; THAT SERVES ALL CHILDREN IN C OLORADO , INCLUDING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITI;S (b) ENSURING EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS , SERVICES, AND ACTIVITIES IS ESSENTIAL TO FULFILLING THIS CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE ,ADVANCING THE STATE S LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND NONDISCRIMINATION , PROMOTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AMONG STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIE,AND CLOSING OPPORTUNITY GAPS;

(c)dashes COLORADOthrough HASwords Aor STRONGnumbers CONSTITUTIONALindicate TRADITIONdeletions OFfrom PROTECTINGINDIVIDUALRIGHTSASSETFORTHINARTICLEexisting 2OFTHESTATElaw CONSTITUTION,and INCLUDINGsuch THEmaterial GUARANTEESis OFnot EQUALITYpart OFof RIGHTS,the DUEact. PROCESS OF LAW,AND SECURITY OF PERSON;

(d)(a) STUDENTSECTION WITH2OFARTICLE DISABILITIESIXOFTHESTATECONSTITUTIONREQUIRES HAVETHE HISTORICALLYSTATE RELIEDTO ONMAINTAIN FEDERALA CIVILTHOROUGH RIGHTSAND LAW,INCLUDINGUNIFORM SECTIONSYSTEM 504OFOF THEFREE FEDERALPUBLIC "REHABILITATIONSCHOOLS ACTTHAT OFSERVES 1973"ALL ANDCHILDREN TITLEIN IICOLORADO OF, THEINCLUDING FEDERALSTUDENTS "AWITH MERICANSDISABILITIES WITH(b) DISABILITIEAENSURING CTEQUAL OF1990",ACCESS TO SAFEGUARDEDUCATIONAL THEIRPROGRAMS ACCESS, SERVICES, AND ACTIVITIES IS ESSENTIAL TO FULFILLING THIS CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE , ADVANCING THE STATE 'S LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIESEQUITY AND PROTECTNONDISCRIMINATION THEMSELVES, FROMPROMOTINGACADEMICACHIEVEMENTAMONGSTUDENTSWITHDISABILITIES DISCRIMINATION;, AND CLOSING OPPORTUNITY GAPS;

(e)(c) ICORPORATINGCOREC PROTECTIONSOFTHESEOLORADO FEDERALLAWSHAS INTOA STATESTRONG STATUTECONSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENSTRADITION COF OLORADOPROTECTING SINDIVIDUAL ENFORCEMENTRIGHTS -5-AS 125SET FRAMEWORKFORTH ,ENSURESCONTINUITYOFRIGHTSREGARDLESSOFCHANGESIN TOARTICLEF FEDERALTHE ENFORCEMENTSTATE PRIORITIES,CONSTITUTION,INCLUDING ANDTHE PROMOTESGUARANTEES CLARITYOFEQUALITY ANDOFRIGHTS CONSISTENCYDUE FORPROCESS STUDENTSOF ,LAW,AND FAMILIE,SECURITY ANDOF LOCALPERSONS; EDUCATION PROVIDERS;

(f)(d) ITSTUDENTS ISWITH INDISABILITIES THEHAVE INTERESTHISTORICALLY OFRELIED THEON STATE TO CODIFY FEDERAL DISABILIT-BASEDCIVIL NONDISCRIMINATIONRIGHTS REQUIREMENTSLAWS,INCLUDING APPLICABLESECTION TO504 PUBLICELEMENTARYANDSECONDARYEDUCATIONOF ,TOAFFIRMTHERIGHTTHE OFEACHQUALIFIEDSTUDENTFEDERAL WITHADISABILITYTOAFREE"REHABILITATION APPROPRIATEACTOF PUBLIC1973"ANDTITLE EDUCATION,ANDIIOFTHEFEDERAL TO"AMERICANS ESTABLISHWITH CLEARD OBLIGATIONSISABILITIESACT FOR LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS CONCERNING IDENTIFICATION , EVALUATION , EDUCATIONALPLACEMENT ,REASONABLEACCOMMODATIONS EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ,PHYSICALACCESSIBILIT,AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION ;AND (g) P ROVIDING STATE-LEVEL REMEDIES , OVERSIGHT , AND ENFORCEMENTMECHANISMS INCLUDINGAUNIFORMCOMPLAINTPROCESS ADMINISTEREDBYTHESTATEDEPARTMENTOFEDUCATION ,COMPLEMENTS FEDERAL SAFEGUARDS ,PROMOTES TIMELY AND LOCAL RESOLUTION OF CONCERNS1990",TO ,SAFEGUARD ANDTHEIR ENSURESACCESS THATTO STUDENTSEDUCATIONAL WITHOPPORTUNITIES DISABILITIES HAVE RELIABLE AND ACCESSIBLEPROTECT AVENUESTHEMSELVES FORFROM ADDRESSINGDISCRIMINATION; VIOLATIONS OF THEIR RIGHTS.

(2)(e) TEGENERALASSEMBLYFURTHERFINDSANDDECLARESTHATICORPORATING THECORE PURPOSEPROTECTIONS OF THISTHESE ARTICL29.5ISFEDERAL T:LAWS INTO STATE STATUTE STRENGTHENS COLORADO S ENFORCEMENT FRAMEWORK ,ENSURESCONTINUITYOFRIGHTSREGARDLESSOFCHANGESTO FEDERAL ENFORCEMENT PRIORITIES , AND PROMOTES CLARITY AND CONSISTENCYFORSTUDENTS ,FAMILIESANDLOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERS ;

(a)(f) UPHOLDIT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE STATE STO CONSTITUTIONALCODIFY OBLIGATIONFEDERAL DISABILITYBASED NONDISCRIMINATION REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO PROVIDEPUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ,TO AFFIRM THE RIGHT OF EACH QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A THOROUGHDISABILITY TO A FREE APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION ,AND TO ESTABLISH CLEAR OBLIGATIONS FOR LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS CONCERNING IDENTIFICATION , EVALUATION , EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT ,REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS ,EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION ,PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY,AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST HARASSMENT AND RETALIATION ;AND PAGE 2-SENATE BILL 26-125 (g) P ROVIDING STATE-LEVEL REMEDIES , OVERSIGHT , AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS ,INCLUDING A UNIFORM SYSTEMCOMPLAINT PROCESS ADMINISTEREDBY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION ,COMPLEMENTS FEDERAL SAFEGUARDS ,PROMOTES TIMELY AND LOCAL RESOLUTION OF FREECONCERNS PUBLIC, SCHOOL;AND ENSURES THAT STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES HAVE RELIABLEANDACCESSIBLEAVENUESFORADDRESSINGVIOLATIONSOFTHEIR RIGHTS.

(b)(2) AFFIRM THE STATESGENERAL COMMITMENTASSEMBLY TOFURTHER EQUALFINDS EDUCATIONALAND OPPORTUNITYDECLARES ANDTHAT NONDISCRIMINATIONTHE FORPURPOSE STUDENTSOF WITHTHIS DISABILITIE;ARTICLE29.5IS T:

-6-(a) 125UPHOLDTHESTATE (c)'SCONSTITUTIONALOBLIGATIONTOPROVIDE NSURETHATPUBLICSCHOOLSPROVIDEQUALIFIEDSTUDENTSA WITHTHOROUGH DISABILITIES WITH THE AIDS, BENEFITS, SERVICES, AND OPPORTUNITIESUNIFORM NECESSARYSYSTEM TOOF PARTICIPATEFREE FULLYPUBLIC ANDSCHOOLS MEANINGFULLY IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ;

(d)(b) CA REATEFFIRM CLEAR,CONSISTENT STATEWIDE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES THAT ALIGN WITH FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS WHILE PROVIDING INDEPENDENT STATE PROTECTIONS;AND (e) ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE STATESTATE'S ARECOMMITMENT EDUCATED IN ENVIRONMENTS THAT RESPECT THEIR DIGNITY , INDEPENDENCE ,AND RIGHT TO PARTICIPATEEQUAL FULLYEDUCATIONAL INOPPORTUNITYANDNONDISCRIMINATIONFORSTUDENTSWITHDISABILITIES THE; LIFE OF THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES .

(c) ENSURE THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROVIDE QUALIFIED STUDENTS WITHDISABILITIESWITHTHEAIDS ,BENEFITS,SERVICES,ANDOPPORTUNITIES NECESSARY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY AND MEANINGFULLY IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ;

(d) CREATE CLEAR ,CONSISTENT STATEWIDE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURESTHATALIGNWITHFEDERALREQUIREMENTSWHILEPROVIDING INDEPENDENT STATE PROTECTIONS ;AND (e) ENSURE THAT ALL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE STATE ARE EDUCATED IN ENVIRONMENTS THAT RESPECT THEIR DIGNITY , INDEPENDENCE ,AND RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THE LIFE OF THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES .

A S USED IN THIS ARTI29.5,UNLESSARTICL29.5,UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES:

(1) "AMERICANS WITHDWITH ISABILITIEACT"ORD ISABILITIEACT "OR "ADA" MEANS THE FEDERAL "AMERICANS"A MERICANS WITH DDISABILITIESACT ISABILITIASCTOF OF1990",42U.S.C.1990", 42 U.S.CSEC .

SEC.ET SEQ.

12101PAGE ET3-SENATE SE.BILL 26-125 (2) "A PPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION " MEANS THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND RELATED AIDS AND SERVICES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY AS ADEQUATELY AS THE NEEDS OF A STUDENT WITHOUT ADISABILITYANDAREBASEDONADHERENCETOPROCEDURESTHATSATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5.

(2)(3) "APPROPRIATE"D PUBLICEDUCATION"MEANSTHEPROVISIONOFAYS"MEANS PUBLICEDUCATIONANDRELATEDAIDSANDSERVICESTHATAREDESIGNEDCALENDAR TOMEETTHEINDIVIDUALEDUCATIONALNEEDSOFADAYS QUALIFIEDSTUDENT. WITH A DISABILITY AS ADEQUATELY AS THE NEEDS OF A STUDENT WITHOUT A DISABILITY AND ARE BASED ON ADHERENCE TO PROCEDURES THAT SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTIC29.5.

(3)(4) "DAYS"MEANS"D CALENDAREPARTMENT DAYS" .MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CREATED AND EXISTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-1-115.

(4)(5) "D"DISABILITY"MEANSAPHYSICALORMENTALIMPAIRMENTTHAT EPARTMENTSUBSTANTIALLYLIMITSONE "ORMORE MEANSMAJORLIFEACTIVITIES THE,ARECORDOF DEPARTMENTSUCH OFAN EDUCATIONIMPAIRMENT CREATED, ANDOR EXISTINGBEING PURSUANTREGARDED TOAS SECTION24-1-115.HAVING SUCH AN IMPAIRMENT .

(5)(6) "DISABILIT""FACILITIES" MEANS AALL PHYSICAL OR MENTALANY IMPAIRMENTPORTION -7-OF 125BUILDINGS THAT, SUBSTANTIALLYSTRUCTURES LIMITS,EQUIPMENT ONE,ROADS OR,WALKS MORE,PARKING MAJORLOTS LIFE,OR ACTIVITIE,OTHER AREAL RECORDOR OFPERSONAL SUCHPROPERTY ANOR IMPAIRMENT,ORINTERESTS BEINGIN REGARDED AS HAVING SUCH ANPROPERTY IMPAIRMENT .

(6)(7) "FACILITIE""FREEEDUCATION MEANS"MEANSTHEPROVISIONOFEDUCATIONALAND ALLRELATED ORSERVICES ANYWITHOUT PORTIONCOST OFTO BUILDINGSA ,QUALIFIED STRUCTURESSTUDENT ,EQUIPMENTWITH ROADSA ,WALKSDISABILITY PARKINGLOTSOR ,OROTHERREALTO THE STUDENT'S PARENT OR PERSONALGUARDIAN PROPERTY,EXCEPT FOR THE FEES THAT ARE IMPOSED ON STUDENTS WITHOUT A DISABILITY OR INTERESTSTHEIR INPARENT SUCHOR PROPERT.GUARDIAN .

(7)A "FREEFREE EDUCATION"EDUCATION MEANSMAY THECONSIST PROVISION OF EDUCATIONALEITHER ANDTHE RELATEDPROVISIONOFFREE SERVICES WITHOUTTHROUGH COSTA TOAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTPROGRAM WITHOPERATED BY A DISABILITYORLOCAL TOTHESTUDENTEDUCATION 'SPARENTORGUARDIANPROVIDER EXCEPTFORTHEOR FEESTHE THATLOCAL AREEDUCATION IMPOSEDPROVIDER ONPLACING STUDENTSA WITHOUTSTUDENT WITH A DISABILITY OR THEIRREFERRING PARENTTHE STUDENT FOR AID , BENEFITS, OR GUARDIANSERVICES .NOT OPERATED OR PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATIONPROVIDERASITSMEANSOFCARRYINGOUTTHEREQUIREMENTS OFTHISARTICLE 29.5FORPAYMENTOFTHECOSTSOFTHEAID ,BENEFITS ,OR SERVICES.F UNDS AVAILABLE FROM ANY PUBLIC OR PRIVATE AGENCY MAY BE USED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5.

AFREENOTHING EDUCATIONIN MAYTHIS CONSISTSECTION OFSHALL EITHERBE THECONSTRUCTED PROVISIONTO OFRELIEVE FREEAN SERVICESINSURER THROUGH A PROGRAM OPERATED BY A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER OR THESIMILAR LOCALTHIRD EDUCATIONPARTY PROVIDERFROM PLACINGAN AOTHERWISE STUDENTVALID WITHOBLIGATION ATO DISABILITYORPROVIDE REFERRINGOR THEPAY STUDENT FOR AID,BENEFITS,OR SERVICES NOTTO OPERATEDA ORQUALIFIED PROVIDEDSTUDENT BYWITH THEA LOCALDISABILITY. EDUCATION PROVIDER AS ITS MEANS OF CARRYING OUT THE REQUIREMENTSOFTHISARTICLE 29.5FORPAYMENTOFTHECOSTSOFTHE AID,BENEFITS,OR SERVICES.

FUNDS(8) AVAILABLE"INDIVIDUALIZED FROMEDUCATION ANYPROGRAM PUBLIC" OR PRIVATE"IEP" AGENCYHAS MAYTHE BEMEANING USEDSET TOFORTH MEETIN THESECTION REQUIREMENTS22-20-103 OF(15). THIS ARTICLE 29.5.

NOTHINGPAGE IN4-SENATE THISBILL SECTION26-125 SHALL(9) BE"NDIVIDUALS CONSTRUCTEDWITH TODISABILITIESEDUCATION RELIEVEANINSURERORSIMILARTHIRDPARTYFROMANOTHERWISEVALIDA OBLIGATIONCT"OR TO"IDEA" PROVIDEMEANS ORTHE PAYFEDERAL FOR"INDIVIDUALS SERVICESWITH TOD AISABILITIESEDUCATION QUALIFIEDACT STUDENT", WITHU.S.C.SEC. A DISABILIT.

(8)1400ET "IDIVIDUALIZEDSEQ EDUCATION. PROGRAM "OR "IEP" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN SECTION22-20-103 (15).

(9)(10) "INDIVIDUALS"LOCAL WITHEDUCATION DPROVIDER ISABILITIESEDUCATION" ACT"MEANS A SCHOOL DISTRICT ,A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART OF ARTICLE 30.5OF THIS TITLE22,A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE 30.5OFTHISTITLE 22,THESTATECHARTERSCHOOLINSTITUTEESTABLISHED IN SECTION 22-30.5-503, A STATE-OPERATED PROGRAM , AS DEFINED IN SECTION 22-20-103,OR A BOARD OFCOOPERATIVE SERVICES CREATED AND OPERATING PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 5 OF THIS TITL22 THAT OPERATES ONE OR "IDEA"MORE MEANSPUBLIC SCHOOLS ;EXCEPT THAT ,FOR MATTERS INVOLVING THE FEDERALPROVISION "INDIVIDUALSOF A FREE EDUCATION TO A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH DISABILITIESA -8-DISABILITY, 125LOCAL EEDUCATION DUCATIONPROVIDER ACT"HAS ",THE 20SAME U.S.SEC.MEANING AS "ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT " AS DEFINED IN SECTION 22-20-103 (1)FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE29.5.

1400ET(11) SEQ."PARENT " HAS THE MEANING IN SECTION 22-20-103 (19.7).

(10)(12) "LOCAL"Q EDUCATIONUALIFIED PROVIDERSTUDENT "MEANSWITH A SCHOOLDISABILITY"MEANS DISTRICT, A CHARTERSTUDENT SCHOOLWHOHASADISABILITYANDWHOISENTITLEDTOAFREEPUBLICEDUCATION AUTHORIZED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PART 1 OF ARTICLE 30.5 OF THIS TITLE 22, A CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE PURSUANT TO PART 5 OF ARTICLE30.5OF THIS TITL22, THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL INSTITUTE ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 22-30.5-503,A22-33-103. STATE-OPERATED PROGRAM , AS DEFINED IN SECTION 22-20-103, OR A BOARD OF COOPERATIVESERVICESCREATEDANDOPERATINGPURSUANTTOARTICLE 5 OF THIS TITLE22 THAT OPERATES ONE OR MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS , EXCEPT THAT , FOR MATTERS INVOLVING THE PROVISION OF A FREE EDUCATION TO A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY , "LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER " HAS THE SAME MEANING AS "ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT" AS DEFINED IN SECTIO22-20-103 (1)FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5.

(11)(13) "PARENT"SECTION "HAS504" MEANS SECTION 504 OF THE MEANINGFEDERAL IN"REHABILITATION SECTION22-20-103ACT (19.7).OF 1973", 29 U.S.CSEC .

(12)79ET "QUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYSEQ. "MEANSASTUDENT WHO HAS A DISABILITY AND WHO IS ENTITLED TO A FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-33-103.

(13)(14) "SECTION"S 504"ECTION 504 PLAN" MEANS A PLAN MADE PURSUANT TO SECTION 504 OFTHAT THEPROVIDES FEDERALACCOMMODATIONS "R,SERVICES, EHABILITATIONAAND CTOTHER OF1973",SUPPORT 29FOR U.S.CSEC.A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY.

794ET22-29.5-103. SE.

(14) "SECTION 504 PLAN "MEANS A PLAN MADE PURSUANT TO SECTION 504 THAT PROVIDES ACCOMMODATIONS ,SERVICES,AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILI.Y 22-29.5-103.

(1) NNOQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYSHALL O,ONTHEBASIS QUALIFIEDOFDISABILITY,BEEXCLUDEDFROMPARTICIPATIONIN STUDENT,DENIEDTHEBENEFITS WITH A DISABILITY SHAL,ON THE BASIS OF DISABILI,BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION INDENIED THE -9- 125 BENEFITS OF,OR OTHERWISE SUBJECTED TO DISCRIMINATION UNDER ANY PROGRAM ,SERVICE, ,ORSERVICE,OR ACTIVITY BY A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER .

(2) AALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDER LOCAL,INPROVIDINGANYAID EDUCATION,BENEFIT PROVIDER , INOR PROVIDING ANY AID , BENEFIT,OR SERVICE,MAY NOT ,DIRECTLY OR THROUGH CONTRACTUAL ,LICENSING , LICENSING,ORPAGE 5-SENATE BILL 26-125 OR OTHER ARRANGEMENTS ,BASED ON DISABILITY:DISABILITY :

(a) D ENY A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OR BENEFIT FROM THE AI,BENEFIT,ORAID SERVICE;,BENEFIT,OR SERVICE ;

(b) A FFORD A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OR BENEFIT FROM THE AI,BENEFIT,ORAID , BENEFIT,OR SERVICE THAT IS NOT EQUAL TO THAT AFFORDED TO OTHERS ;

(c) PROVIDEPROVIDEAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYWITHANAID A, QUALIFIEDBENEFIT, STUDENTOR WITH A DISABILITY WITH AN AID,BENEFIT,OR SERVICE THAT IS NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS THAT PROVIDED TO OTHERS;OTHERS ;

(d) PROVIDE DIFFERENT OR SEPARATE AIDS ,,BENEFITS,OR BENEFITS ,OR SERVICES TOTOAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYORTOANYCLASSOFQUALIFIED A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY OR TO ANY CLASS OF QUALIFIED STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY UNLESS SUCH ACTION IS NECESSARY TO PROVIDEPROVIDEAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYWITHAIDS A,BENEFITS,OR QUALIFIEDSERVICES STUDENTTHAT WITHARE AAS DISABILITYEFFECTIVE WITHAS AIDS,BENEFITS,ORSERVICESTHATAREASEFFECTIVEASTHOSEPROVIDEDTHOSE PROVIDED TO OTHERS;OTHERS ;

(e) AIDA ID OR PERPETUATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST A QUALIFIED STUDENTSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYBYPROVIDINGSIGNIFICANTASSISTANCETOAN WITH A DISABILITY BY PROVIDING SIGNIFICANT ASSISTANCE TO AN AGENCY , ORGANIZATION ,OR,ORPERSONTHATDISCRIMINATESONTHEBASISOF PERSON THAT DISCRIMINATES ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN PROVIDING ANY AID,BENEFITAIDBENEFIT ,OR SERVICE TO BENEFICIARIES OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OR ACTIVITYACTIVITY; ;OR (f) OTHERWISELIMITAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYIN -10- 125 THEENJOYMENTOFANYRIGHT ,PRIVILEGEADVANTAGE ,OROPPORTUNITY ENJOYED BY OTHERS RECEIVING AN EDUCATIONAL AID , BENEFIT,OR SERVICE .

(3) F OR PURPOSES(f) OFO THISTHERWISE ARTICLELIMIT 29.5,AN AID,BENEFIT,OR SERVICE ,TO BE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE,IS NOT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THE IDENTICALRESULTORLEVELOFACHIEVEMENTFORQUALIFIEDSTUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY AND STUDENTS WITHOUT A DISABILITY ,BUT MUST AFFORD A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY EQUALIN OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN THE SAMEENJOYMENT RESULT ,TO GAIN THE SAME BENEFI,OR TO REACH THE SAME LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENTANY INRIGHT THE,PRIVILEGE,ADVANTAGE MOST,OR INTEGRATEDOPPORTUNITY SETTINGENJOYEDBYOTHERSRECEIVINGANEDUCATIONALAID APPROPRIATE,BENEFIT,ORSERVICE TO. THE STUDENT S NEEDS.

(4)(3) DF ESPITEOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5,AN AID ,BENEFIT ,OR SERVICE ,TO BE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE , IS NOT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THE EXISTENCEIDENTICAL RESULT OR LEVEL OF SEPARATEACHIEVEMENT ORFOR DIFFERENTQUALIFIED AIDS,STUDENTS BENEFITSWITH ORSERVICESA PROVIDEDDISABILITY INAND ACCORDANCESTUDENTS WITHTHISTITLEWITHOUT 22,AA LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERMAYNOTDENYAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHDISABILITY ADISABILITYTHEOPPORTUNITYTOPARTICIPATE,BUT INSUCHAIDSMUST ,BENEFITS,AFFORD ORA SERVICESQUALIFIED THATSTUDENT AREWITH NOTA SEPARATEDISABILITY OREQUALOPPORTUNITY DIFFERENT.TO OBTAIN THE SAME RESULT ,TO GAIN THE SAME BENEFIT ,OR TO REACH THE SAME LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT IN THE MOST INTEGRATED SETTING APPROPRIATE TO THE STUDENT S NEEDS.

(5)PAGE 6-SENATE BILL 26-125 (4) D ESPITE THE EXISTENCE OF SEPARATE OR DIFFERENT AIDS , BENEFITS,OR SERVICES PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS TITLE 22, A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALLMAY NOT ,DIRECTLYDENY ORA THROUGHQUALIFIED CONTRACTUALSTUDENT ORWITH OTHERADISABILITYTHEOPPORTUNITYTOPARTICIPATEINSUCHAIDS ARRANGEMENTSBENEFITS ,USE,OR CRITERIASERVICES ORTHAT METHODSARE OFNOT ADMINISTRATIONSEPARATE THATOR :DIFFERENT .

(a)(5) HAVE THE EFFECT OFSUBJECTINGAQUALIFIEDSTUDENT WITH A DISABILITYLOCAL TOEDUCATION DISCRIMINATIONPROVIDER ONSHALL THENOT BASIS, OFDIRECTLY THEIR DISABIL;TY (b) H AVE THE PURPOSE OR EFFECTTHROUGH OFCONTRACTUAL DEFEATING OR SUBSTANTIALLYIMPAIRINGTHEACCOMPLISHMENTOFTHEOBJECTIVESOFOTHER THELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERARRANGEMENTS SPROGRAMORACTIVITYWITHRESPECT,USE TOCRITERIA AOR QUALIFIEDMETHODS STUDENT WITH A DISABILIT;OR (c) PERPETUATE THE DISCRIMINATION OF ANOTHERADMINISTRATION LOCALTHAT EDUCATION: PROVIDER IF BOTH LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS ARE -11- 125 SUBJECTTOCOMMONADMINISTRATIVECONTROLORAREAGENCIESOFTHE STATE.

(6)(a) INHAVE DETERMININGTHE EFFECT OFSUBJECTING A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY TO DISCRIMINATION ON THE SITEBASIS OROF LOCATIONTHEIR DISABILITY (b) HAVETHEPURPOSEOREFFECTOFDEFEATINGORSUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIRING THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE OBJECTIVES OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY WITH RESPECT TO A FACILIT,AQUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY;OR (c) PERPETUATE THE DISCRIMINATION OF ANOTHER LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALLIFBOTH NOTLOCALEDUCATION MAKEPROVIDERS SELECTIONSARE THAT:SUBJECT TO COMMON ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OR ARE AGENCIES OF THE STATE .

(a)(6) HAVEINDETERMININGTHE THESITE EFFECTOR OFEXCLUDINGLOCATION AOFA QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY FROM A FACILITY OR,A DENYINGLOCAL AEDUCATION QUALIFIEDPROVIDER STUDENTSHALL WITHNOT AMAKE DISABILITYSELECTIONS THETHAT BENEFITS: OF A FACI,OR OTHERWISE SUBJECTING A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY TO DISCRIMINAT;OR (b) HAVE THE PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF DEFEATING OR SUBSTANTIALLYIMPAIRINGTHEACCOMPLISHMENTOFTHEOBJECTIVESOF THEPROGRAMORACTIVITYWITHRESPECTTOAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITH A DISABILIT.

(7)(a) ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLCONDUCTEVALUATIONSHAVE ANDTHE REEVALUATIONSEFFECT OF EXCLUDING A QUALIFIED STUDENT INWITH A DISABILITY FROM A FACILITY OR DENYING A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY THE BENEFITS OF A FACILITY, OR OTHERWISE SUBJECTING A QUALIFIED STUDENT SWITH PRIMARYA LANGUAGEDISABILITY .TO DISCRIMINATION;

ALOCALOR EDUCATION(b) PROVIDERHAVETHEPURPOSEOREFFECTOFDEFEATINGORSUBSTANTIALLY SHALLIMPAIRING COMMUNICATETHE WITHACCOMPLISHMENT AOFTHE PARENTOBJECTIVES WITHOFTHE LIMITEDPROGRAM ENGLISHOR PROFICIENCYACTIVITY INWITH ARESPECT MANNER THAT PROVIDESTHEPARENTWITHMEANINGFULACCESSTOINFORMATIONTHAT IS PROVIDED TO OTHERA PARENTSQUALIFIED ,INCLUDINGSTUDENT INFORMATIONWITH ABOUTA PROGRAMSDISABILITY. ,SERVICES,AND ACTIVITIE.

(7) A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL CONDUCT EVALUATIONS ANDREEVALUATIONSOFASTUDENTINTHESTUDENT SPRIMARYLANGUAGE .

A LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLCOMMUNICATEWITHAPARENTWITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY IN A MANNER THAT PROVIDES THE PARENT WITH MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED TO OTHER PARENTS ,INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAMS ,SERVICES ,AND PAGE 7-SENATE BILL 26-125 ACTIVITIES.

(1) ALOCALA LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL :

(a) ADOPTADOPTAGRIEVANCEPROCESSTHATINCORPORATESAPPROPRIATE A GRIEVANCE PROCESS THAT INCORPORATES APPROPRIATE DUE PROCESS STANDARDS AND PROVIDES FOR THE PROMPT AND EQUITABLE RESOLUTIONRESOLUTIONOFCOMPLAINTSALLEGINGANYACTIONPROHIBITEDBYSECTION OF504, COMPLAINTSWHICH ALLEGING ANY ACTION PROHIBITED BY SECTION504,WHICH MAY BE SATISFIED BY ADOPTING A SECTION 504GRIEVANCE504 GRIEVANCE PROCESS THAT FULFILLSTHEFULFILLS REQUIREMENTSOFTHE 34REQUIREMENTS CFROF 104.7.34CFR104.7.T HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER IS NOT REQUIRED TO APPLY ITS GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE TO ALLEGATIONS RELATED TO THE IDENTIFICATION , EVALUATION PLACEMENT ,ORPROVISIONOFFREEEDUCATIONPURSUANTTO AN IEP.

THE(b) LOCALDESIGNATE EDUCATIONAT PROVIDERLEAST ISONE NOTRESPONSIBLE REQUIREDEMPLOYEE TO -12-OVERSEE 125COMPLIANCE APPLYWITH ITSTHIS GRIEVANCEARTICLE PROCEDURE29.5AND TOSERVE ALLEGATIONSAS RELATEDA TOPOINT THEOF IDENTIFICATIO,CONTACT EVALUATIONFORSTUDENTS ,,PARENTS PLACEMENTTHEDEPARTMENT ,OR,ANDTHIRDPARTIESSUBJECTTO PROVISIONTHE OFFOLLOWING FREE: EDUCATION PURSUANT TO AN IEP.

(b)(I) DESIGNATETHE ATRESPONSIBLE LEASTEMPLOYEE ONEMUST RESPONSIBLERECEIVE EMPLOYEETRAINING TOABOUT OVERSEEHOWTOCOMPLYWITHTHEREQUIREMENTSOFTHISARTICLE COMPLIANCE29.5INCLUDING WITHTHISARTICLECREATINGINCLUSIVEANDRESPECTFULENVIRONMENTSFORSTUDENTSWITH 29.5ANDSERVEDISABILITIESDISABILITY ASAPOINTRIGHTS,AND OFTHE CONTACTFORSTUDENTSDISABILITY ,PARENTS,THEDEPARTMENTRIGHTS ANDTHIRDPARTIESGRIEVANCE SUBJECTPROCESS TOWITHIN THESIXTY FOLLOWING:DAYS OF BEING DESIGNATED ;

(I)(II) HEI RESPONSIBLEADDITION EMPLOYEE MUST RECEIVE TRAINING ABOUT HOW TO COMPLYOVERSEEING COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5,29.5AND INCLUDINGSERVING CREATINGAS INCLUSIVEA ANDPOINT RESPECTFULOF ENVIRONMENTSCONTACT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIE,DISABILITY RIGHT,AND THE DISABILITY RIGHTS GRIEVANCE PROCESS WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF BEING DESIGNAT;D (II) IDDITIONTOOVERSEEINGCOMPLIANCEWITHTHISARTICLE 29.5ANDSERVINGASAPOINTOFCONTACTFORSTUDENTS ,PARENTS ,AND THIRD PARTIES WHO HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICL29.5,THEARTICLE 29.5,THE RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYEE MAY ALSOALSOSERVEASTHERESPONSIBLEEMPLOYEEREQUIREDBY SERVE34CFR104.7(a); AS THE RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYEE REQUIRED B34CFR104.7 (a);AND (III) A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE THE RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYEE WITH THE NECESSARY TIME ,RESOURCES, AND AUTHORITY TO FULFILL THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE 29.5;

(c) POVIDEINITIALANDCONTINUINGNOTIFICATIONTOSTUDENTS AND PARENTS(III) THATA THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MUSTSHALL NOTPROVIDE DISCRIMINATETHE ONRESPONSIBLE EMPLOYEE WITH THE BASISNECESSARY OFTIME DISABILI.,RESOURCES ,AND AUTHORITY TO FULFILL THE OBLIGATIONS SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE29.5;

THE(c) NOTIFICATIONPROVIDE SHALLINITIAL INCLUDEAND THECONTINUING NAME,TITLE,PHONENOTIFICATION NUMBERTO ,ANDSTUDENTS EMAILAND ADDRESSPARENTS OFTHAT THE RESPONSIBLEEMPLOYEEDESIGNATEDPURSUANTTOSUBSECTIONLOCAL (1)(bOFEDUCATION -13-PROVIDER 125MUST THISSECTION.ANOT LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLPROVIDETHEINITIALPAGE NOTIFICATIONREQUIREDBYTHISSUBSECTION8-SENATE (1)(cONORBEFOREBILL A26-125 PRILDISCRIMINATE 1,2027.ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY .

METHODSTHE OF INITIAL AND CONTINUING NOTIFICATION SHALL INCLUDE THE PUBLICNAME POSTING,TITLE,PHONE OFNUMBER HARD-COPY,AND NOTICESEMAIL INADDRESS SCHOOLSOF ANDTHE INRESPONSIBLE THEEMPLOYEE CENTRALDESIGNATED OFFICEPURSUANT BUILDINGTO OFSUBSECTION A(1)(bOF SCHOOL;INCLUSIONTHIS INSECTION.A STUDENTLOCAL ANDEDUCATION EMPLOYEEHANDBOOKSPROVIDER ;INCLUSIONINNEWSLETTERSSHALL ,MASSEMAILSPROVIDE ,ANDTHE INFORMATIONINITIAL SENTNOTIFICATION HOMEREQUIRED TOBY PARENTSTHIS ;PLACEMENTSUBSECTION OF(1)(c)ON NOTICESOR INBEFORE THEA LOCALPRIL EDUCATION1,2027.M PROVIDERETHODSOFINITIALANDCONTINUINGNOTIFICATIONINCLUDETHE SPUBLIC PUBLICATIONSPOSTING ANDOF ONLINEHARD-COPY MATERIALS,NOTICES INCLUDINGIN THESCHOOLS LOCALAND EDUCATIONIN PROVIDERTHE SCENTRAL WEBSITEOFFICE ANDBUILDING SOCIALOF MEDIAA SCHOOL ;

ORINCLUSION IN STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE HANDBOOKS ;INCLUSIONINNEWSLETTERS ,MASSEMAILS ,ANDINFORMATION SENTHOMETOPARENTS ;PLACEMENTOFNOTICESINTHELOCALEDUCATION PROVIDER SPUBLICATIONS ANDONLINE MATERIALS ,INCLUDINGTHE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA;OR DISTRIBUTION OF MEMORANDA OR OTHER WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS .

THIST NOTICEHIS REQUIREMENT MAY BE MET IN CONJUNCTION WITH ANY NOTICE REQUIREDREQUIREMENTMAYBEMETINCONJUNCTIONWITHANYNOTICEREQUIREDBY BY34CFR104.8,CFR OR104.8,OR 28CFR28 CFR 35.106.

(d) TRAINT RAIN RELEVANT STAFF ANNUALLY ABOUT THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE29.5.ARTICLE 29.5.

ORFOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTIO,SECTION , "RELEVANT STAFF"INCLUDESSTAFF " INCLUDES THE EMPLOYEE DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTIO,ATSECTION, AT LEAST ONE ADMINISTRATOR OR DESIGNEE FROM EACH EDUCATIONALBUILDINGONTHELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDEREDUCATIONAL SPREMISESBUILDING ,ON ANDTHE ATLOCAL LEASTEDUCATION ONEPROVIDER OTHERS STAFFPREMISES, REGULARLYANDATLEASTONEOTHERSTAFFREGULARLYINVOLVEDWITHDEVELOPING INVOLVED, WITHIMPLEMENTING DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTINGAND ,ANDCOORDINATINGPLANSINACCORDANCECOORDINATING PLANS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE 29.5.

F A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS A BUILDING-SPECIFIC COORDINATOR RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 504ANDTHISARTICLE504ANDTHIS 29.5,THATINDIVIDUALMAYATTENDTHEARTICLE 29.5,THAT INDIVIDUAL MAY ATTEND THE TRAINING INSTEAD OF A BUILDING ADMINISTRATO.ADMINISTRATOR .

(1) EXCEPTE XCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBSECTIO(2)OFSUBSECTION (2)OF THIS SECTIO,ASECTION,A LOCALLOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLMAKEAREASONABLEACCOMMODATION EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL MAKE A REASONABLE -14- 125 ACCOMMODATION TO A POLICYPOLICY, ,PRACTICE,ORPRACTICE,OR PROCEDURE WHEN THE ACCOMMODATION IS NECESSARYNECESSARYTOAVOIDDISCRIMINATINGAGAINSTAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITH TO AVOID DISCRIMINATING AGAINST A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY ON THE BASIS OF DISABILI,YDISABILITYNLESS UNLESS THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER CAN DEMONSTRATE THAT MAKING THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WOULD FUNDAMENTALLY ALTERTHENATUREOFTHESERVICEALTER ,PROGRAMTHE ,ORACTIVITYCOVEREDBYNATURE OF THE POLICY,PRACTICE,ORSERVICE,PROGRAM PROCEDURE,OR ACTIVITY COVERED BY THE POLICY ,PRACTICE ,OR PROCEDURE OR CAUSE AN UNDUE FINANCIALFINANCIALOR OR ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER.PROVIDER .

PAGE 9-SENATE BILL 26-125 (2) ALOCALA LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAKE A REASONABLEREASONABLEACCOMMODATIONTOAPOLICY ACCOMMODATION TO A POLICY ,PRACTICE OR,ORPROCEDURETO PROCEDUREAVOIDDISCRIMINATINGAGAINSTANINDIVIDUALWHOISONLYREGARDEDAS TO AVOID DISCRIMINATING AGAINST AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ONLY REGARDED AS HAVING A DISABILITY PURSUANT TO THADA.THEADA.

(3)A(3) A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO A PARENT WITH A DISABILITY , INCLUDING A COMMUNICATION RELATED-RELATED DISABILITY,WHODISABILITY, WHO IS SEEKING APPROPRIATE ACCESS TO PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES FORPARENTSINRELATIONTOTHATFOR PARENTS IN RELATION TO THAT PARENT SSCHILD.C CHILDOMMUNICATION .-RELATEDDISABILITYACCOMMODATIONS MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE STANDARDS STATED IN SECTION 22-29.5-106.

C(4) OMMUNICATIONALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERMUSTPROVIDEINTERPRETATION -RELATEDAND DISABILITYTRANSLATION ACCOMMODATIONSSERVICES MUSTFOR BECOMMUNICATION CONSISTENT WITH THEA STANDARDSPARENT STATEDWITH INLIMITED SECTION22-29.5-106.ENGLISH PROFICIENCY.

(4) A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MUST PROVIDE INTERPRETATIONANDTRANSLATIONSERVICESFORCOMMUNICATIONWITH A PARENT WITH LIMITEDENGLISH PROFICIENC.

(1) A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL ENSURE THAT COMMUNICATION WITH A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY IS AS EFFECTIVE ASCOMMUNICATIONWITHASTUDENTWITHOUTADISABILITYAS COMMUNICATION WITH A STUDENT WITHOUT A DISABILITY .

(2) ALOCALEDUCATIONA PROVIDERLOCAL SHALLFURNISHEDUCATION APPROPRIATEPROVIDER -15-SHALL 125FURNISH AUXILIARYAPPROPRIATE AIDSAUXILIARYAIDSANDSERVICESWHERENECESSARYTOAFFORDAQUALIFIED AND SERVICES WHERE NECESSARY TO AFFORD A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF A SERV,CPROGRAMSERVICE,PROGRAM ,OR ACTIVITY OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDE.PROVIDER .

(3) TTHE HE TYPE OFOFAUXILIARYAIDORSERVICENECESSARYTOENSURE AUXILIARYEFFECTIVECOMMUNICATIONWITHAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITY AID OR SERVICE NECESSARY TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONWITHA QUALIFIEDSTUDENT WITHA DISABILITY MAY VARY IN ACCORDANCE WITH TH:THE :

(a) MMETHODOFCOMMUNICATIONUSEDBYTHE ETHODQUALIFIEDSTUDENT WITH A DISABILITY (b) N ATURE , LENGTH ,AND COMPLEXITY OF THE INVOLVED COMMUNICATION USED;AND BY(c) CONTEXT IN WHICH THE QUALIFIEDCOMMUNICATION STUDENTIS WITHTAKING APLACE DISABILIT;.

(b)PAGE NATURE10-SENATE ,LENGTHBILL ,26-125 AND(4) COMPLEXITYNDETERMININGWHATTYPESOFAUXILIARYAIDSANDSERVICES OFARENECESSARYTOENSUREEFFECTIVECOMMUNICATIONWITHAQUALIFIED THESTUDENT INVOLVEDWITH COMMUNICATIONA ;ANDDISABILITY (c),A CONTEXTLOCAL INEDUCATION WHICHPROVIDER SHALL GIVE PRIMARY CONSIDERATION TO THE COMMUNICATIONREQUEST ISOF TAKINGOR PLAC.ON BEHALF OF A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY.

(4)TO IBE DETERMININGEFFECTIVE,AN WHATAUXILIARY TYPESAID OFOR AUXILIARYSERVICE AIDSMUST ANDBE SERVICESPROVIDED AREIN NECESSARYA TOFORMAT ENSURETHAT EFFECTIVEIS COMMUNICATIONACCESSIBLE WITHTO AQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYA ,ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITY SHALLGIVE,INATIMELYMANNER PRIMARYCONSIDERATIONTOTHEANDINSUCH REQUESTAWAYASTOPROTECT OFORONBEHALFTHE OFPRIVACYANDINDEPENDENCE AOFTHE QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY.

O BE EFFECTIVE, AN AUXILIARY AID OR SERVICE MUST BE PROVIDED IN A FORMAT THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILI,IN A TIMELY MANNER , AND IN SUCH A WAY AS TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY AND INDEPENDENCE OF THE QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILI.Y (5) (a) ALOCALA LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL NOT REQUIRE A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY TO PROVIDE AN INTERPRE.ERINTERPRETER. (b) ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLNOTRELYONANADULT ACCOMPANYINGAQUALIFIEDSTUDENT WITH ADISABILITYTOINTERPRET OR FACILITATE COMMUNICATION,EXCEPT :

(I)(b) IA ANLOCAL EMERGENCYEDUCATION INVOLVINGPROVIDER ANSHALL IMMINENTNOT THREATRELY TOON THE -16- 125 SAFETY OR WELFARE OF AN INDIVIDUALADULT ORACCOMPANYINGAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYTOINTERPRETOR THE PUBLIC AND NO INTERPRETER IS AVAILABL;OR (II) W HEN THE QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY SPECIFICALLYREQUESTSTHATTHEACCOMPANYINGADULTINTERPRETOR FACILITATE COMMUNICATION ,THE,EXCEPT ACCOMPANYING: ADULT AGREES TO PROVIDE SUCH ASSISTANCE,AND RELIANCE ON THAT ADULT FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE IS APPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

(c)(I) ALOCALIN EDUCATIONAN PROVIDEREMERGENCY SHALLINVOLVING NOTAN RELYIMMINENT ONTHREAT ATO MINORTHE TOSAFETYORWELFAREOFANINDIVIDUALORTHEPUBLICANDNOINTERPRETER INTERPRETIS ORAVAILABLE;OR FACILITATE(II) COMMUNICATIONWHENTHEQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYSPECIFICALLY ,REQUESTS EXCEPTTHAT INTHE ANACCOMPANYING EMERGENCYADULT INVOLVINGINTERPRET ANOR IMMINENTFACILITATE THREATCOMMUNICATION TO, THE SAFETYACCOMPANYING ORADULT WELFAREAGREES OFTO ANPROVIDE INDIVIDUALSUCH ORASSISTANCE THE,AND PUBLICRELIANCE ANDON NOTHAT INTERPRETERADULT FOR SUCH ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLEAPPROPRIATE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES .

(c) A LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLNOTRELYONAMINORTO INTERPRET OR FACILITATE COMMUNICATION ,EXCEPT IN AN EMERGENCY INVOLVING AN IMMINENT THREAT TO THE SAFETY OR WELFARE OF AN INDIVIDUAL OR THE PUBLIC AND NO INTERPRETER IS AVAILABLE.

N O QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY MAY BE DENIED THE BENEFITS OF,BEOF, BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION I,ORIN ,OR OTHERWISE BE SUBJECTED TO DISCRIMINATION UNDER A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDESPROVIDER S PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES BECAUSE THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERSPROVIDER S FACILITIES ARE INACCESSIBLE TO OR CANNOT BE ACCESSED SAFELY BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIE.DISABILITIES .

N IMPLEMENTING THIS SECTION,SECTION , LOCAL EDUCATIONPROVIDERSMAYREFERTOTHESECTIONPAGE 504REGULATIONSAT11-SENATE BILL 26-125 EDUCATION PROVIDERS MAY REFER TO THE SECTION 504 REGULATIONS AT SUBPART C,THE ADA REGULATIONS AT SUBPARTD,SUBPART D, AND ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDSSUCHASTHESTANDARDS SUCH AS THE UNIFORM FEDERAL ACCESSIBILITYSTANDARDSA CCESSIBILITYSTANDARDS , THE 1991ADA1991 STANDARDSFORACCESSIBLEDESIGNADA ,ANDTHESTANDARDS 2010ADAFOR ACCESSIBLE DESIGN ,AND THE 2010 ADA STANDARDS FOR ACCESSIBLE DESIGN.DESIGN .

(1)(a)A(1) LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLPROVIDEAFREEAND(a) ALOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE A FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION TO EACH QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A -17- 125 DISABILITY WHO IS IN THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDSPROVIDER JURISDICTIO,S REGARDLESSOFTHENATUREORSEVERITYOFTHESTUDENTJURISDICTION, SDISABILITY.REGARDLESS OF THE NATURE OR SEVERITY OF THE STUDENT S DISABILIT.

(b) IMPLEMENTATIONIPLEMENTATION OF AN IEPIEPDEVELOPED DEVELOPED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IDEA IS ONE WAY OF MEETING THE INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF A STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY AS ADEQUATELY AS THE NEEDS OF A STUDENT WITHOUT A DISABILITY ARE M.TMET (2) A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL ENSURE THAT A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN THAT LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SJURISDICTIONRECEIVESANAPPROPRIATEEDUCATIONEVENIF THE STUDENT IS PLACED OR REFERRED TO A PROGRA,AID,BENEFIT,OR SERVICE OTHER THAN ONE OPERATED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER .

(3)(2) AFREEEDUCATIONMAYCONSISTOFEITHERTHEPROVISIONOFALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLENSURETHATAQUALIFIED FREESTUDENT SERVICESWITH ORPAYMENTA TOATHIRDPARTYIFTHEDISABILITY LOCALEDUCATIONWITHIN PROVIDERTHAT PLACESLOCAL AEDUCATION QUALIFIEDPROVIDER STUDENTS WITHJURISDICTIONRECEIVESANAPPROPRIATEEDUCATIONEVENIFTHESTUDENT AIS DISABILITYPLACED INOR REFERRED TO A PROGRAM ,AID,BENEFIT ,OR SERVICE OTHER THAN ONE OPERATED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER .

(4)(3) I A LOCALFREE EDUCATION PROVIDERMAY PLACESCONSIST AOF QUALIFIEDEITHER STUDENTWITHADISABILITYORREFERSSUCHSTUDENTFORAIDTHE ,BENEFITS,PROVISION OROF FREE SERVICES ATOR APAYMENT FACILITYTO NOTA OPERATEDTHIRD ORPARTY PROVIDEDIF BY THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER ASPLACES A MEANSQUALIFIED OFSTUDENT PROVIDINGWITH A FREEDISABILITY ANDIN APPROPRIATEA PUBLICPROGRAM EDUCATIONOTHER ,THETHAN REFERRINGONE LOCALOPERATED EDUCATIONBY PROVIDER SHALL ENSURE THAT THE QUALIFIEDLOCAL STUDENTEDUCATION WITHPROVIDER A DISABILITYHASADEQUATETRANSPORTATIONTOANDFROMTHEFACILITY WHERE THE AID , BENEFIT, OR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED .

T(4) HEIALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERPLACESAQUALIFIEDSTUDENT TRANSPORTATIONMUSTBEPROVIDEDATNOGREATERCOSTTHANWOULDWITH BEA INCURREDDISABILITY OR REFERS SUCH STUDENT FOR AID ,BENEFITS ,OR SERVICES AT A FACILITY NOT OPERATED OR PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATIONPROVIDERASAMEANSOFPROVIDINGAFREEANDAPPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION ,THE REFERRING LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL ENSURE THAT THE QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY HAS ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATIONTOANDFROMTHEFACILITYWHERETHEAID ,BENEFITS,OR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED .THE TRANSPORTATION MUST BE PROVIDED AT NO GREATERCOSTTHANWOULDBEINCURREDBYTHEQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITH A DISABILITY OR THEIR -18-PARENT 125IF PARENTIFTHESTUDENTRECEIVEDTHEAIDSTHE BENEFITS,ORSERVICESFROMSTUDENT RECEIVED THE REFERRINGAIDS LOCAL, EDUCATIONBENEFITS,ORSERVICESFROMTHEREFERRINGLOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDER PROVIDER..

(5)PAGE I12-SENATE ITBILL IS26-125 NECESSARY(5) FORFITISNECESSARYFORAQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITY ATO QUALIFIEDBE STUDENTPLACED WITHIN A DISABILITYTOBEPUBLIC PLACEDINOR APUBLICORPRIVATEPRIVATE RESIDENTIALFACILITYRESIDENTIAL FACILITY TO PROVIDE THE STUDENT WITH A FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION ,AS, AS DETERMINED BY A SECTIO504SECTION 504 TEAM OR IEPTEAMIEP ,THETEAM PLACEMENT , INCLUDINGTHE NONMEDICALPLACEMENT CARE AND ROOM AND BOARD , SHALLINCLUDINGNONMEDICALCAREANDROOMANDBOARD BE,SHALLBEPROVIDED PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THE STUDENT OR THEIR PARENTS OR GUARDIANS .

(6) IFIA A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS MADE AVAILABLE A FREE AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION TO A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND THE STUDENT S PARENTS OR GUARDIANS CHOOSE TO PLACE THE STUDENT IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL ,THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER IS NOT REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THE STUDENT'S EDUCATION IN THE PRIVATE SCHO.LSCHOOL 22-29.5-109..

Leastrestrictiveenvironment-academicsettings22-29.5-109. - nonacademic settings - comparable facilities.

(1)Least Arestrictive LOCALenvironment EDUCATION- PROVIDERacademic SHALLsettings PROVIDE- Anonacademic FREEsettings AND- APPROPRIATEcomparable PUBLICfacilities. EDUCATION TO EACH QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION WITH STUDENTS WITHOUT DISABILITIES TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT APPROPRIATE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY .

(1) A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL PLACEPROVIDE A QUALIFIEDFREE STUDENTAND WITHAPPROPRIATE APUBLIC DISABILITYEDUCATION INTO THEEACH REGULARQUALIFIED EDUCATIONALSTUDENT ENVIRONMENTWITH OPERATEDA BYDISABILITYWITHINITSJURISDICTIONWITHSTUDENTSWITHOUTDISABILITIES THELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERUNLESSITISDEMONSTRATEDTHATTHETO EDUCATION OF THE STUDENTMAXIMUM INEXTENT THATAPPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTBASED CANNOTON BETHE ACHIEVEDSATISFACTORILYNEEDS EVENWITHTHEUSEOFSUPPLEMENTARYAIDSOF -19-THE 125QUALIFIED ANDSTUDENT SERVICESWITH .A DISABILITY.

WHENEVER A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER PLACESSHALL PLACE A QUALIFIED STUDENT INWITH A SETTINGDISABILITY OTHERIN THAN THE REGULAR EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT PURSUANTOPERATED TOBY THISTHE SUBSECTIONLOCAL (1),ITEDUCATION SHALLPROVIDER CONSIDERUNLESS IT IS DEMONSTRATED THAT THE PROXIMITYEDUCATION OF THE ALTERNATESTUDENT SETTINGIN TOTHAT THEENVIRONMENT STUDENTSCANNOT HOME.BE ACHIEVED SATISFACTORILY , EVENWITHTHE USE OFSUPPLEMENTARYAIDSANDSERVICES .W HENEVERA LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERPLACESASTUDENTINASETTINGOTHERTHAN THEREGULAREDUCATIONALENVIRONMENTPURSUANTTOTHISSUBSECTION (1)ITSHALLCONSIDERTHEPROXIMITYOFTHEALTERNATESETTINGTOTHE STUDENT S HOME .

(2) IN PROVIDING OR ARRANGING FOR THE PROVISION OF NONACADEMIC SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES ,INCLUDING, MEALS,SPECIALS,INCLUDING RECESSMEALS PERIODS,,SPECIALS, ANDRECESSPERIODS EXTRACURRICULAR,ANDEXTRACURRICULARACTIVITIES ACTIVITIES,,ALOCALEDUCATION A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL ENSURE THAT A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY PARTICIPATESPARTICIPATESINSUCHACTIVITIESANDSERVICESWITHSTUDENTSWITHOUT INDISABILITIESTOTHEMAXIMUMEXTENTAPPROPRIATEBASEDONTHENEEDS SUCH ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES WITH STUDENTSWITHOUTDISABILITIESTOTHEMAXIMUMEXTENTAPPROPRIATE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF THE QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILI.YDISABILITY PAGE 13-SENATE BILL 26-125 (3) IF A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER ,IN, IN COMPLIANCE WITH SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION,SECTION , OPERATES A FACILITY THAT IS IDENTIFIABLE AS BEING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIE,THEDISABILITIES , THE LOCAL EDUCATIONEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLENSURETHEFACILITYANDTHESERVICESAND PROVIDERACTIVITIES SHALLPROVIDED ENSURETHEREIN THEARE FACILITYCOMPARABLE ANDTO THE SERVICESFACILITIES ANDACTIVITIESPROVIDEDTHEREINARECOMPARABLETOTHEFACILITIES , SERVICES,AND ACTIVITIES OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDE.PROVIDER .

(1) ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLPROVIDENONACADEMICA ANDEXTRACURRICULARSERVICESANDACTIVITIESINSUCHASMANNERASLOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL PROVIDE NONACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES IN SUCH AS MANNER AS IS NECESSARY TO AFFORD A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SERVICES AND ACTIVITI.S N ONACADEMIC AND EXTRACURRICULAR SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES INCLUDE COUNSELING SERVICES ,TRANSPORTATION ,HEALTH SERVICES , ATHLETICS ,COURSES,SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS OR CLUB,REFERRALS , AND EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENTS .

-20-N 125ONACADEMICANDEXTRACURRICULARSERVICESANDACTIVITIESINCLUDE (2)COUNSELING ASERVICES LOCAL,TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION, PROVIDERHEALTH SHALLSERVICES ENSURE,ATHLETICS THAT, ACOURSES QUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYISNOTCOUNSELEDTOWARDMORE, RESTRICTIVESPECIAL CAREERINTEREST OBJECTIVESGROUPS THANOR ARECLUBS STUDENTS, WITHOUTREFERRALS DISABILITIES, WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS AND ABIL.TIESEMPLOYMENT (3)OF ALOCALEDUCATION PROVIDERTHAT PROVIDESSEPARATE OR DIFFERENTPHYSICALEDUCATIONANDATHLETICACTIVITIESTOSTUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MAY DO SO ONLY IF CONSISTENT WITH THE LEAST RESTRICTIVEENVIRONMENTREQUIREMENTSINSECTION 22-29.5-109AND ONLY IF A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY IS NOT DENIED THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR ATHLETIC TEAMS OR TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICSCOURSESTHATARENOTSEPARATEORDIFFERENTFROMTHOSE TEAMS OR COURSES OFFERED TO STUDENTS WITHOUT DISABILITIES .

C(2) OMPETITIVEALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLENSURETHATAQUALIFIED ORSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYISNOTCOUNSELEDTOWARDMORERESTRICTIVE SELECTIVECAREER PROGRAMSOBJECTIVES MAYTHAN REQUIREARE STUDENTS WITHOUT DISABILITIES WITH SIMILAR INTERESTS AND ABILITIES (3) A SELECTIONLOCAL PROCESSEDUCATION PROVIDER THAT PROVIDES SEPARATE OR DIFFERENT PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES TO STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MAY DO SO ONLY IF CONSISTENT WITH THE PROGRAMLEAST CRITERIARESTRICTIVE ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION 22-29.5-109AND ONLY IF A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY IS NOT DISCRIMINAT.RYDENIED 22-29.5-111.THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR ATHLETIC TEAMS OR TO PARTICIPATE IN ATHLETICS COURSES THAT ARE NOT SEPARATE OR DIFFERENT FROM THOSE TEAMS OR COURSES OFFERED TO STUDENTS WITHOUT DISABILITIES .

COMPETITIVEORSELECTIVEPROGRAMSMAYREQUIREASELECTIONPROCESS IF THE PROGRAM CRITERIA IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY.

22-29.5-111.

(1) ATATLEASTANNUALLY LEAST,ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERMUSTTAKE ANNUALLY ,A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MUST TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO IDENTIFY AND LOCATE EVERY QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY WHO RESIDES IN THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S PAGE 14-SENATE BILL 26-125 JURISDICTION AND WHO IS NOT RECEIVING A PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TAKE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO NOTIFY THEIR PARENT OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER'SPROVIDER S DUTY TO IDENTIFY AND LOCATE THE STUDENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTIO.SECTION.

(2) PRIORPRIORTOEVALUATINGASTUDENTUNDERTHISSECTION TO,ALOCAL EVALUATING A STUDENT UNDER THIS SECTION,A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL NOTIFY THE STUDENT'SSTUDENT 'S PARENT OF THE PROPOSEDEVALUATIONANDOBTAINPROPOSED EVALUATION AND OBTAIN CONSENT FROM THE PARENT TO EVALUATE THE STUDENT .

(3) IIASTUDENT ASPARENTCONSENTSTOANEVALUATIONPURSUANT STUDENTTOSUBSECTION 'S(2)OFTHISSECTION PARENT,ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALL CONSENTSCONDUCTANEVALUATIONOFANYSTUDENTWHOIS TO,ORWHOISBELIEVEDTO ANBE,AQUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYTODETERMINEIFTHESTUDENT EVALUATION -21- 125 PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTIO,A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALLCONDUCT AN EVALUATION OFANYSTUDENT WHO IS ,ORA WHO IS BELIEVED TO BE,A QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY TO(4) DETERMINE IFTHE STUDENT IS A QUALIFIEDLOCAL STUDENTEDUCATION WITHPROVIDER ASHALL DISABIL.TYESTABLISH (4)AND ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLESTABLISHANDCOMPLYCOMPLY WITH STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATIONS THAT ARE CONSISTENTCONSISTENTWITHTHEREQUIREMENTSOFTHISSECTIONANDSHALLENSURE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION AND SHALL ENSURE THAT :

(a) TESTST ESTS AND OTHER EVALUATION MATERIALS HAVE BEEN VALIDATEDVALIDATEDFORTHESPECIFICPURPOSEFORWHICHTHEYAREUSEDANDARE FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR WHICH THEY ARE USED AND ARE ADMINISTERED BY TRAINED PERSONNELINPERSONNEL IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED BY THEIR PRODUCER;PRODUCER ;

(b) TESTST ESTS AND OTHER EVALUATION MATERIALS INCLUDE THOSE CRITERIACRITERIATAILOREDTOASSESSSPECIFICAREASOFEDUCATIONALNEEDAND TAILORED TO ASSESS SPECIFIC AREAS OF EDUCATIONAL NEED AND NOT MERELY THOSE WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A SINGLE GENERAL INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT ;AND (c) TESTSTESTSARESELECTEDANDADMINISTEREDTOBESTENSURETHAT ARE, SELECTEDWHEN AND ADMINISTERED TO BEST ENSURE THAT ,WHEN A TEST IS ADMINISTERED TO A STUDENT WITH IMPAIRED SENSORY ,MANUAL, ,ORSPEAKINGSKILLSMANUAL ,THETESTRESULTSACCURATELY,OR REFLECTSPEAKING THESKILLS,THE STUDENTTEST SRESULTS APTITUDEACCURATELY ORREFLECT ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL OR OTHER FACTOR THAT THE TESTSTUDENT PURPORTSSAPTITUDEORACHIEVEMENTLEVELOROTHERFACTORTHAT TOTHETESTPURPORTSTOMEASURE MEASURE,RATHERTHANREFLECTINGTHESTUDENT , RATHER THAN REFLECTING THE STUDENT S IMPAIRED SENSORY,MANUALSENSORY ,MANUAL ,OR SPEAKING SKILLS,EXCEPT WHERE THOSE SKILLS ARE THE FACTORS THAT THE TEST PURPORTS TO MEASURE .

(5) INIINTERPRETINGEVALUATIONDATAANDINMAKINGPLACEMENT INTERPRETINGPAGE EVALUATION15-SENATE DATABILL AND26-125 INDECISIONS,A MAKING PLACEMENT DECISIONS ,A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SHALL:

(a) D RAW UPON INFORMATION FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES , -22- 125 INCLUDING APTITUDE AND ACHIEVEMENT TESTS,TESTS , TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS , PHYSICAL CONDITIONCONDITION, , SOCIAL OR CULTURAL BACKGROUND ,AND ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR;BEHAVIOR ;

(b) ENSUREESURETHATINFORMATIONOBTAINEDFROMALLSUCHSOURCES THAT INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM ALL SUCH SOURCES IS DOCUMENTED AND CAREFULLY CONSIDERED ;

(c) EESURETHATTHEELIGIBILITYDETERMINATIONANDPLACEMENT NSURE THAT THE ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION AND PLACEMENT DECISION IS MADE BY A GROUP OF PERSONS THAT ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE CHILD ,THE MEANING OF THE EVALUATION DATA ,AND THE PLACEMENT OPTIONS;ANDOPTIONS ;AND (d) ENSURENSURETHATTHEPLACEMENTDECISIONISMADEINCONFORMITY THATWITH THE PLACEMENTLEAST DECISIONRESTRICTIVE ISENVIRONMENT MADEPROVISIONS IN CONFORMITYWITHTHELEASTRESTRICTIVEENVIRONMENTPROVISIONSIN SECTION 22-29.5-109.

(6) FORF OR STUDENTS IDENTIFIED AS ELIGIBLE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE 29.5, LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS SHALL CONDUCT REEVALUATIONS AT LEAST EVERYEVERYTHREE THREE YEARS ..C ONSENT FROM A PARENT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR A REEVALUATION.

CONSENT(7) FROMALOCAL AEDUCATION PARENTPROVIDER ISMAY NOTSATISFY REQUIREDTHE FOREVALUATION AREQUIREMENTS REEVALUATIO.IF:

(7)(a) ALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERMAYSATISFYTHEEVALUATIONTHE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER COMPLIES WITH THE PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS IF:SPECIFIED IN SECTION22-29.5-112;AND (b) A GROUP OF KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE , BASED ON EXISTING EVALUATION DATA , DETERMINE THE STUDENT S ELIGIBILITYAND PLACEMENT , INCLUDING THE SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS THE STUDENTNEEDS ,ANDTHELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERANDPARENTAGREE .

(a) THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER COMPLIES WITH THE PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN SECTIO22-29.5-112;AND (b) A GROUP OF KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE ,BASED ON EXISTING EVALUATION DATA , DETERMINE THE STUDENT S ELIGIBILITY AND PLACEMENT , INCLUDING THE SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS THE STUDENT NEEDS ,AND THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER AND PARENT AGREE .

A LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLESTABLISHANDIMPLEMENTLOCAL ,EDUCATION -23-PROVIDER 125SHALL WITHRESPECTTOACTIONSREGARDINGTHEIDENTIFICATIONESTABLISH ,EVALUATIONAND ,IMPLEMENT, ORWITH EDUCATIONALRESPECT PLACEMENTTO OFACTIONS AREGARDING STUDENTTHE WHOIDENTIFICATIOEVALUATION MAY, HAVEOREDUCATIONALPLACEMENTOFASTUDENTWHOMAYHAVEADISABILITY , A DISABILITY,A SYSTEM OF PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS THAT INCLUDES NOTICEOFTHEPROPOSEDIDENTIFICATIONNOTICE ,EVALUATIONDETERMINATIONOF ,THE OREDUCATIONALPLACEMENTPAGE DECISION16-SENATE ,ANOPPORTUNITYFORAPARENTBILL OF26-125 THEPROPOSEDIDENTIFICATION STUDENTEVALUATIONDETERMINATION TOOREDUCATIONAL EXAMINEPLACEMENTDECISION RELEVANT,ANOPPORTUNITYFORAPARENT RECORDSOFTHE ,STUDENT ANTO IMPARTIALEXAMINERELEVANTRECORDS HEARING,ANIMPARTIALHEARINGWITHOPPORTUNITY WITH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTICIPATION BY THE STUDENTSTUDENT'S SPARENT PARENTANDREPRESENTATIONBYLEGALCOUNSELAND ,ANDANOPPORTUNITYREPRESENTATION TOBY APPEALLEGALCOUNSEL ,AND AN IMPARTIALOPPORTUNITY HEARINGTOAPPEALANIMPARTIALHEARING OUTCOME ..COMPLIANCEWITHTHEPROCEDURALSAFEGUARDSOFTHE IDEA IS ONE MEANS OF MEETING THIS REQUIREMENT.

COMPLIANCE WITH THE PROCEDURALSAFEGUARDS OFTHE IDEA IS ONE MEANS OFMEETING THIS REQUIREMENT .

(1) AALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLENSURETHATAQUALIFIED LOCALSTUDENT EDUCATIONWITH PROVIDER SHALL ENSURE THAT A QUALIFIEDSTUDENTWITHADISABILITYISFREEFROMHARASSMENTTHATDISABILITY CREATESAHOSTILEENVIRONMENTIS .A"FREE HOSTILEENVIRONMENTFROM "INCLUDESHARASSMENT AN ENVIRONMENT THAT INTERFERESCREATES WITHA ORHOSTILE LIMITSENVIRONMENT THE. STUDENT S ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OR BENEFIT FROM THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S SERVICE,ACTIVITIE,OR OPPORTUNITIES.

(2)A WHENALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERKNOWSORREASONABLY" SHOULDHOSTILE KNOWENVIRONMENT OF" POSSIBLEINCLUDES DISABILITY-BASEDAN HARASSMENTENVIRONMENTTHATINTERFERESWITHORLIMITSTHESTUDENT ,IT'SABILITYTO MUSTPARTICIPATE TAKEIN IMMEDIATEOR ANDBENEFIT APPROPRIATEFROM ACTIONTHE TOLOCAL INVESTIGATEEDUCATION ORPROVIDER OTHERWISES DETERMINESERVICES,ACTIVITIES,OR WHATOPPORTUNITIES. OCCURRED .

(3)(2) IW THEHEN INVESTIGATION REQUIRED BY SUBSECTIO(2)OF THIS SECTIONREVEALSTHATDISABILITY -BASEDHARASSMENTISSUFFICIENTLY SERIOUS TO CREATE A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT,THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MUSTKNOWS TAKEOR PROMPT AND EFFECTIVE STEPS REASONABLY CALCULATEDSHOULDKNOWOFPOSSIBLEDISABILITY TO-BASEDHARASSMENT END,ITMUSTTAKE THEIMMEDIATE DISABILITY-BASED HARASSMENT ,ELIMINATE -24- 125 THE HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT , PREVENT HARASSMENT AND AAPPROPRIATE HOSTILEACTION ENVIRONMENTTO FROMINVESTIGATE RECURRINGOR ,ANDOTHERWISE ,ASDETERMINE APPROPRIATE,REMEDYWHAT THEOCCURRED HOSTILE. ENVIRONMENT S EFFECT.

(4)(3) HARASSMENTIF ONTHE ANYINVESTIGATION BASISREQUIRED MAYBY ALSOSUBSECTION IMPACT(2) AOF QUALIFIEDTHIS STUDENTSECTION WITHREVEALS ATHAT DISABILITYSDISABILITY-BASED RECEIPTHARASSMENT OFIS SUFFICIENTLY SERIOUS TO CREATE A FREEHOSTILE ENVIRONMENT ,THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MUST TAKE PROMPT AND APPROPRIATEEFFECTIVE PUBLICSTEPS EDUCATION,INREASONABLY WHICHCALCULATEDTOENDTHEDISABILITY CASEBASEDHARASSMENT THE,ELIMINATETHE EFFECTSHOSTILE OFENVIRONMENT HARASSMEN,EVEN, IFPREVENT NOTHARASSMENT BASEDAND ONA DISABILIT,MUSTHOSTILE BEENVIRONMENT ADDRESSEDFROM BYRECURRING THE, STUDENTAND S,AS SECTIONAPPROPRIATE 504TEAM,REMEDY ORTHE IEPHOSTILE TEAM.ENVIRONMENT 'S EFFECT.

(4) H ARASSMENT ON ANY BASIS MAY ALSO IMPACT A QUALIFIED STUDENTWITHADISABILITY 'SRECEIPTOFAFREEANDAPPROPRIATEPUBLIC EDUCATION ,IN WHICH CASE THE EFFECTS OF HARASSMENT ,EVEN IF NOT BASEDONDISABILITY ,MUSTBEADDRESSEDBYTHESTUDENT SSECTION 504 TEAM OR IEP TEAM .

PAGE 17-SENATE BILL 26-125 (1) THET HE DEPARTMENT MAY PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCETOLOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSABOUTTHEREQUIREMENTSASSISTANCE TO LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERS ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICL29.5.ARTICLE29.5.

(2) THET HE DEPARTMENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE AND RESOLVECOMPLAINTSOFALLEGEDVIOLATIONSOFTHISARTICLERESOLVE 29.5ANDCOMPLAINTS THEOF AUTHORITYALLEGED TOVIOLATIONS MONITOROF THETHIS IMPLEMENTATIONARTICLE OF29.5 THEAND REQUIREMENTSTHEAUTHORITYTOMONITORTHEIMPLEMENTATIONOFTHEREQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5.

THIS ARTICLE29.5ARTICLE 29.5 DOES NOT CREATE NEW AUTHORITY FOR MATTERS INVOLVING THE IDENTIFICATIO,IDENTIFICATION EVALUATION,EVALUATION , PLACEMENT ,,OR OR PROVISION OF A FREE EDUCATION PURSUANT TO AN IEP.

(3) ACOMPLAINANTA COMPLAINANT MUST ALLEGE VIOLATIONS THAT OCCURRED WITHIN ONE CALENDAR YEAR BEFORE THE DATE THE COMPLAINT IS FILED WITHTHEDEPARTMENT ORWITHINSIXTYDAYSFOLLOWINGRESOLUTION,ORWITHINSIXTYDAYSFOLLOWINGRESOLUTIONOR OR TERMINATION OF THE PROCESS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTI(6)OFSUBSECTION (6)OF THIS SECTION.SECTION .

(4) T HE COLORADOC OLORADO CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION SHALL NOT HAVE -25-JURISDICTION 125OVER JURISDICTIONOVERALLEGATIONSORCOMPLAINTSTHATFALLWITHINTHEALLEGATIONS OR COMPLAINTS THAT FALL WITHIN THE SCOPE OFTHIS ARTICLE 29.5.THE C OLORADOCIVILRIGHTSDIVISIONSHALL ESTABLISH A SYSTEM TO ENSURE SUCH ALLEGATIONS OR COMPLAINTS ARE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THISRECEIVING ARTICLE29.5.AN ALLEGATION OR COMPLAINT .

(5) THE COLORADODEPARTMENT CIVILSHALL RIGHTSDISMISS DIVISIONAN SHALLALLEGATION ESTABLISHIN A SYSTEMCOMPLAINT TO,OR ENSURE SUCH ALLEGATIONS OR COMPLAINTS ARE REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENTENTIRE WITHINCOMPLAINT TEN,I: DAYS OF RECEIVING AN ALLEGATION OR COMPLAINT.

(5)(a) (I) THE ALLEGATION ,ON ITS FACE OR AS CLARIFIED ,FAILS TO STATE A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5,WHEN THE ALLEGATION ,ON ITS FACE OR AS CLARIFIED,LACKS SUFFICIENT FACTUAL DETAIL ,OR WHEN THE ALLEGATION IS SO SPECULATIVE ,CONCLUSORY ,OR INCOHERENT ,THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALLCANNOT DISMISSREASONABLY INFER THAT A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5OCCURRED OR MAY BE OCCURRING ;OR (II) PRIOR TO DISMISSING AN ALLEGATION OR COMPLAINT FOR ONE OF THE REASONS SPECIFIED IN ASUBSECTION COMPLAINT(5)(a)(IOF ,ORTHIS SECTION,THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUEST FROM THE ENTIRECOMPLAINANT COMPLAIN,IF:INFORMATION TO FURTHER ASSESS WHETHER THE ALLEGATION OR COMPLAINT SHOULD BE DISMISSED FOR A REASON SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (5)(a)(IOF THIS SECTION .

(a)HE (I)HECOMPLAINANT ALLEGATIONHAS ONFOURTEEN ITSDAYS FACE OR AS CLARIFI,FAILS TO STATEAVIOLATIONOFTHISARTICLE 29.5,WHENTHEALLEGATION ,ONITS FACEORASCLARIFIED ,LACKSSUFFICIENTFACTUALDETAIL ,ORWHENTHE ALLEGATION IS SO SPECULATIV, CONCLUSORY ,OR INCOHERENT ,THAT THEDEPARTMENTCANNOTREASONABLYINFERTHATAVIOLATIONOFTHIS ARTICLE 29.5OCCURRED OR MAY BE OCCURRING ;OR (II) PIORTODISMISSINGANALLEGATIONORCOMPLAINTFORONE OFTHEREASONSSPECIFIEDINSUBSECTION (5)(a)(IOFTHISSECTION,THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUEST FROM THE COMPLAINANTDATE INFORMATIONOF TO FURTHER ASSESS WHETHER THE ALLEGATIONPAGE OR18-SENATE COMPLAINTBILL SHOULD26-125 BE DISMISSED FOR A REASON SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION(5)(a)(IOF THIS SECTION.THECOMPLAINANTHASFOURTEENDAYSFROMTHEDATEOFTHE DEPARTMENT 'SREQUESTTOPROVIDETHEREQUESTEDINFORMATIONS .THEREQUEST DEPARTMENTTO MAYPROVIDE DISMISS AN ALLEGATION OR THE COMPLAINTREQUESTED IF THE INFORMATION IS. NOT RECEIVED WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF THE DEPARTMENT 'S REQUEST, IF THE INFORMATION DOES NOT ESTABLISH JURISDICTIO,ORIFTHEINFORMATIONDOESNOTSUFFICIENTLYADDRESS THE FACTORS IN SUBSECTION (5)(a)(I)OF THIS SECTION, IN THE DEPARTMENT 'S DISCRETIO.

(b)THE BASEDONALLOFTHEFACTSPROVIDEDBYTHECOMPLAINANTDEPARTMENT ,MAY -26-DISMISS 125AN ALLEGATION OR THE COMPLAINT IF THE INFORMATION IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN FOURTEEN DAYS OF THE DEPARTMENT CANNOTS REASONABLYREQUEST CONCLUDE, IF THE LOCALINFORMATION EDUCATIONDOES PROVIDERNOT HASESTABLISH VIOLATEDJURISDICTION,OR IF THE INFORMATION DOES NOT SUFFICIENTLY ADDRESS THE FACTORS IN SUBSECTION (5)(a)(I)OF THIS ARTICL29.5;SECTION , IN THE DEPARTMENT S DISCRETION.

(c)(b) BASED ON ALL OF THE ALLEGATIONFACTS ORPROVIDED COMPLAINTBY ISTHE NOTCOMPLAINANT TIMELY, FILEDTHEDEPARTMENTCANNOTREASONABLYCONCLUDETHELOCALEDUCATION WITHPROVIDER THEHAS DEPARTMENTVIOLATED ;THIS ARTICLE 29.5;

(d)(c) THE COMPLAINTALLEGATION IS FILED AGAINST A PERSON OR ENTITYCOMPLAINT THAT IS NOT ATIMELYFILED LOCALWITH EDUCATIONTHE PROVIDE;DEPARTMENT ;

(e)(d) THE DEATHCOMPLAINT OFIS THEFILED COMPLAINANTAGAINST MAKESA ITPERSON IMPOSSIBLEOR TOENTITY FULLYTHAT INVESTIGATEIS THENOT ALLEGATION;A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER ;

(f)(e) TEDEATHOFTHECOMPLAINANTFORECLOSESTHEPOSSIBILITYT HE DEATH OF INDIVIDUALTHE RELIE;COMPLAINANT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THE ALLEGATION ;

(g)(f) THE SAMEDEATH OROFTHE SIMILARCOMPLAINANT ALLEGATIONFORECLOSES OR COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED WITHORISBEINGINVESTIGATEDBYANOTHERAGENCY ,INCLUDING THEDEPARTMENT SDISPUTERESOLUTIONOFFICEORTHROUGHTHELOCAL EDUCATIONPROVIDER 'SINTERNALGRIEVANCEPROCESS .ACOMPLAINANT MAY FILE OR REFILE AN ALLEGATION OR COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENTPOSSIBILITY WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE TERMINATION OF THEINDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTRELIEF; 'S DISPUTE RESOLUTION OFFICS PROCESS OR THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S INTERNAL GRIEVANCE PROCESS.

(g) T HE SAME OR SIMILAR ALLEGATION OR COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED WITH OR IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY ANOTHER AGENCY ,INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT SHALLS REVIEWDISPUTE WHETHERRESOLUTION OFFICE OR THROUGH THE OTHERLOCAL AGENCYEDUCATION PROVIDER S PROCESSINTERNAL METACCEPTABLELEGALSTANDARDSORMAYCHOOSETOINVESTIGATEONGRIEVANCE ITSPROCESS OWN..

(h)ACOMPLAINANT THEMAYFILEORREFILEANALLEGATIONORCOMPLAINTWITHTHEDEPARTMENT SAMEWITHIN ORSIMILARALLEGATIONORCOMPLAINTSIXTY ,BASEDONDAYS AFTER THE SAMETERMINATION FACTS,HASOF ALREADYTHE BEENDEPARTMENT RESOLVEDS BYDISPUTE THERESOLUTION DEPARTMENTOFFICE ,S ANOTHERPROCESS AGENCYOR ,ORTHE THROUGHLOCAL THEEDUCATION DISTRICTSPROVIDER S INTERNAL GRIEVANCE PROCESS,USINGPROCESS ACCEPTABLE. LEGAL STANDARDS ;

(i)THE TEDEPARTMENT SAMESHALL ORREVIEW SIMILARWHETHER ALLEGATIONTHE OTHER AGENCY 'S PROCESS MET ACCEPTABLE LEGAL STANDARDS OR COMPLAIN,BASEDMAY CHOOSE TO INVESTIGATE ON THESAMEFACTSITS ,HASALREADYBEENFILEDINSTATEORFEDERALCOURTOWN .

-27-(h) 125T IFHE THESAME COURTOR CASESIMILAR ENDSALLEGATION WITHOUTOR ACOMPLAINT DECISION,BASED ON THE MERITSSAME ORFACTS A,HAS SETTLEMENTALREADY ,THEBEEN COMPLAINTRESOLVED MAYBY BETHE FILEDDEPARTMENT OR, REFILEDANOTHER WITHAGENCY THE,OR DEPARTMENTTHROUGH WITHINTHE SIXTYDISTRICT DAYSS OFINTERNAL THEGRIEVANCE ENDPROCESS OF,USING THEACCEPTABLE COURTLEGAL CAS.STANDARDS ;

ORPAGE PURPOSES19-SENATE OFBILL THIS26-125 SECTI,A(i) DISMISSALWITHTHE PREJUDICESAME ISOR CONSIDEREDSIMILAR AALLEGATION DECISIONOR COMPLAINT , BASED ON THE MERITSSAME ANDFACTS A,HAS DISMISSALALREADY WITHOUTBEEN PREJUDICEFILED ISIN NOTSTATE AOR DECISIONFEDERAL ONCOURT THE. MERIT.

(j)IF THE DEPARTMENTCOURT OBTAINSCASE CREDIBLEENDS INFORMATIONWITHOUT INDICATINGA THATDECISION ON THE ALLEGATIONMERITS OR A SETTLEMENT ,THE COMPLAINT ISMAY RESOLVEDBE ANDFILED THEREFOREOR NOREFILED LONGERWITH APPROPRIATETHE FORDEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIONWITHIN PURSUANTSIXTY TODAYS THISOF ARTICLE29.5;THE END OF THE COURT CASE .

(k)OR ACOMPLAINTISFILEDAGAINSTALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERPURPOSES THATOF RAISESTHIS THESECTION,A SAMEDISMISSAL ORWITH SIMILARPREJUDICE ALLEGATIONIS BASEDCONSIDERED ONA THEDECISION SAMEON FACTS AGAINST THE SAMEMERITS LOCALAND EDUCATIONA PROVIDERDISMISSAL THATWITHOUT WASPREJUDICE PREVIOUSLYIS DISMISSEDNOT ORA CLOSEDDECISION BYON THE DEPARTMEN;MERITS .

(l)(j) TETHEDEPARTMENTOBTAINSCREDIBLE DEPARTMENTINFORMATIONINDICATING RECENTLYINVESTIGATEDORISCURRENTLYTHAT INVESTIGATING THE SAMEALLEGATION OR SIMILARCOMPLAINT ALLEGATIONIS BASEDRESOLVED ONAND THETHEREFORE SAMENO FACTSLONGERAPPROPRIATEFORINVESTIGATIONPURSUANTTOTHISARTICLE INVOLVING29.5; THE SAME LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER;

(m)(k) THECOMPLAINANTWITHDRAWSTHECOMPLAINTCONTAININGA THECOMPLAINT ALLEGATION;ORIS (n)FILED THEAGAINST ALLEGATIONA ORLOCAL COMPLAINTEDUCATION ISPROVIDER MOOTTHATRAISESTHESAMEORSIMILARALLEGATIONBASEDONTHESAMEFACTS ORAGAINST UNRI.ETHE (6)SAME (a)LOCAL TEEDUCATION DEPARTMENTPROVIDER MAYTHAT DISMISSWAS ANPREVIOUSLY ALLEGATIONDISMISSED OR COMPLAINTCLOSED IF:BY THE DEPARTMENT ;

(I)(l) TETHE DEPARTMENT 'SRECENTLY ABILITYINVESTIGATED TOOR COMPLETEIS ANCURRENTLY INVESTIGATIONINVESTIGATING ISSUBSTANTIALLYIMPAIREDBYTHECOMPLAINANTTHE SREFUSALTOPROVIDESAME INFORMATIONOR THATSIMILAR ISALLEGATION REASONABLYBASED ACCESSIBLEON TO THE COMPLAINANTSAME ANDFACTS ISINVOLVING NECESSARYTHE FORSAME INVESTIGATIONLOCAL OFEDUCATION THEPROVIDER COMPLAINT; .

THE(m) DEPARTMENTT SHALLHE INCLUDE DOCUMENTATION IN THE CASE FILE OF ITS -28- 125 EFFORTS TO CONTACT THE COMPLAINANT BYWITHDRAWS PHONE,IN WRITINGOR VIA EMAIL TO REQUEST THE NECESSARYCOMPLAINT INFORMATIONCONTAINING AND OF THE COMPLAINANTALLEGATION 'S; REFUSAL TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATI.N (II) TEDEPARTMENT SABILITYTOCOMPLETEANINVESTIGATION ISSUBSTANTIALLYIMPAIREDBYTHECOMPLAINANT 'SFAILURETOTIMELY RESPOND TO THE DEPARTMENT 'S COMMUNICATIONS .

HEOR DEPARTMENT(n) SHALLINCLUDEDOCUMENTATIONINTHECASEFILEOFITSUNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO CONTACT THE COMPLAINANTALLEGATION BY PHONE OR INCOMPLAINT WRITINGIS TOMOOT REQUESTOR THEUNRIPE NECESSARY INFORMATION .

(III)(6) TE(a) ALLEGATIONT ORHE COMPLAINT ALLEGES A VIOLATION FOR WHICH NO RELIEF IS AVAILAB.E (b) THE DEPARTMENT HASMAY THEDISMISS SOLEAN DISCRETIONALLEGATION TOOR DETERMINECOMPLAINT WHETHERIF DISMISSAL: CRITERIA ARE ME.

(7)(I) TEDEPARTMENTHASTHEAUTHORITYTOENFORCEDECISIONSTHE ISSUEDDEPARTMENT PURSUANTS ABILITY TO THISCOMPLETE SECTIONAN ANDINVESTIGATION REQUIREIS ASUBSTANTIALLY LOCALIMPAIRED EDUCATIONBY PROVIDERTHE TOCOMPLAINANT TAKES CORRECTIVEREFUSAL ACTIONTO IFPROVIDE THEREINFORMATIONTHATISREASONABLYACCESSIBLETOTHECOMPLAINANTAND IS ANECESSARY FINDINGFOR INVESTIGATION OF NONCOMPLIANCETHE WITHCOMPLAINT THIS. ARTICLE29.5.

NTHE DETERMININGDEPARTMENT WHETHERSHALL AINCLUDE LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERHASCOMPLIEDWITHTHISARTICLEDOCUMENTATION 29.5THEIN DEPARTMENTTHE MAYCASE RELYFILE ONOF INTERPRETATIONSITS BYEFFORTS FEDERALTO COURTSCONTACT ANDTHE AGENCIESOFSECTIONCOMPLAINANT 504BY ANDTHEPHONE ADA.A,IN LOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERWRITING SHALLCORRECTITSNONCOMPLIANCEWITHTHISARTICLE,OR 29.5ASSOONASVIA POSSIBLEEMAIL ANDTO WITHINREQUEST ATHE REASONABLENECESSARY TIMEINFORMATION FRAMEAND THATOF ISTHE SPECIFIEDCOMPLAINANT BY'S THEREFUSAL DEPARTMENTTO INPROVIDE ANTHE ORDER.INFORMATION .

(8)(II) NOTEDEPARTMENT LATER'SABILITYTOCOMPLETEANINVESTIGATIONIS THANPAGE DECEMBER20-SENATE 31,BILL 2026THE26-125 STATESUBSTANTIALLY BOARDIMPAIRED OFBY EDUCATIONTHE MAYCOMPLAINANT ADOPT'S RULESFAILURE TO ESTABLISH THE DEFINITION OF ANY TERM NOT SPECIFICALLY DEFINED IN THIS ARTIC29.5;UNIFORM AND TIMELY METHODSRESPOND OF COMPLAINT RESOLUTION , INCLUDING RULES -29- 125 PROVIDING FOR THE PROCESS OF FILING A COMPLAINT , WHETHER VOLUNTARYMEDIATIONISAVAILABLE ,ORANYOTHERRELIEFAVAILABLE PRIOR TO THE CONCLUSIONDEPARTMENT OFS ACOMMUNICATIONS FINDING. OF NONCOMPLIANCE ;

ANDTHE WHETHERDEPARTMENT WRITTENSHALL CONSENTINCLUDE DOCUMENTATION IN THE CASE FILE OF ITS UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO INVESTIGATECONTACT ANTHE ALLEGATIONCOMPLAINANT ISBY REQUIREDPHONE OR IN WRITING TO REQUEST THE NECESSARY INFORMATION .

COMPLAINTS(III) MAYTE BEALLEGATION FILEDOR BYCOMPLAINT ALLEGES A PARENTVIOLATION ,FOR GUARDIANWHICH ,NO STUDENTRELIEF ,IS ORAVAILABLE THIRD(b) PARTYT .HE DEPARTMENT HAS THE SOLE DISCRETION TO DETERMINE WHETHER DISMISSAL CRITERIA ARE MET.

ATHIRD(7) PARTYTHE MAYDEPARTMENT ONLYHAS FILETHE AAUTHORITY COMPLAINTTO ALLEGINGENFORCE VIOLATIONSDECISIONS OFISSUED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLESECTION 29.5AND IFREQUIRE THEA ALLEGATIONSLOCAL AREEDUCATION SYSTEMICPROVIDER INTO NATURETAKE ORCORRECTIVE ACTION IF THETHERE COMPLAINT IS ONA BEHALFFINDING OF ANNONCOMPLIANCE INDIVIDUALWITH STUDENTTHIS THEARTICLE THIRD29.5. PARTY IS REPRESENTING AS AN ATTORNEY OR ADVOCATE .

FORN THEDETERMINING COMPLAINTWHETHER PROCESSA ,THELOCAL TIMELINEEDUCATION SHALLPROVIDER BEHAS NOCOMPLIED LONGERWITH THANTHIS ONEARTICLE HUNDRED29.5,THE EIGHTYDEPARTMENT DAYSMAY FROMRELY THEON DATEINTERPRETATIONS OFBY FILINGFEDERAL TOCOURTS THEAND DATEAGENCIES OF RESOLUT,WITHSECTION504 AND THE ABILITYADA.A TOLOCAL PAUSEEDUCATION THEPROVIDER TIMELINESHALL FORCORRECT UPITS TONONCOMPLIANCE SIXTYWITH DAYSTHIS PENDINGARTICLE ATTEMPTED29.5AS RESOLUTIONSOON THROUGHAS OTHERPOSSIBLEANDWITHINAREASONABLETIMEFRAMETHATISSPECIFIEDBYTHE METHODSDEPARTMENT ,IN INCLUDINGAN VOLUNTARYORDER MEDIATION .

(9)(a)(8) ITHEDEPARTMENTISACCEPTINGCOMPLAINTSN ,APARENTO ,LATER GUARDIANTHAN ,STUDENTDECEMBER OR31, THIRD2026,THE PARTYSTATE MAYBOARD FILEOF AEDUCATIONMAYADOPTRULESTOESTABLISHTHEDEFINITIONOFANYTERM NOT SPECIFICALLY DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE29.5;UNIFORM AND TIMELY METHODS OF COMPLAINT WITHRESOLUTION ,INCLUDING RULES PROVIDING FOR THEPROCESSOFFILINGACOMPLAINT ,WHETHERVOLUNTARYMEDIATIONIS AVAILABLE ,OR ANY OTHER RELIEF AVAILABLE PRIOR TO THE DEPARTMENTCONCLUSION ALLEGINGOF A VIOLATIONFINDING OFTHISARTICLE29.5ONLYOF AFTERNONCOMPLIANCE :;AND WHETHER WRITTEN CONSENT TO INVESTIGATE AN ALLEGATION IS REQUIRED.COMPLAINTS MAY BE FILED BY A PARENT ,GUARDIAN ,STUDENT , OR THIRD PARTY.

(I)A URSUINGTHIRD RESOLUTIONPARTY OFMAY THEONLYFILEACOMPLAINTALLEGINGVIOLATIONSOFTHISARTICLE SAME29.5IFTHE ALLEGATIONALLEGATIONSARESYSTEMICINNATUREORIFTHECOMPLAINTISONBEHALF THROUGHOF THEAN LOCALINDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONSTUDENT PROVIDER 'S DISABILITY RIGHTS GRIEVANCE PROCESS DESCRIBED IN SECTIO22-29.5-104AND (II) (A) THE LOCALTHIRD EDUCATIONPARTY PROVIDERIS ISSUESREPRESENTING AAS FINALAN DECISION;ORATTORNEY (B)OR THEADVOCATE LOCAL. EDUCATION PROVIDERS FINAL DECISION HAS NOT BEENPROVIDEDTOTHE COMPLAINANT WITHINSIXTYDAYSOFTHELOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAIN.

(b)(I)OR TEREQUIREMENTSOFSUBSECTIONTHE (9)(aOFTHISSECTIONCOMPLAINT -30-PROCESS 125,THE MAYTIMELINE BESHALLBENOLONGERTHANONEHUNDREDEIGHTYDAYSFROMTHEDATEOF WAIVEDFILING BYTO THE DEPARTMENTDATE IF:OF RESOLUTION ,WITH THE ABILITY TO PAUSE THE TIMELINE FOR UP TO SIXTY DAYS PENDING ATTEMPTED RESOLUTION THROUGH OTHER METHODS ,INCLUDING VOLUNTARY MEDIATION .

(A)PAGE THE21-SENATE COMPLAINANTBILL DEMONSTRATES26-125 THAT(9) USING(a) F THE LOCALDEPARTMENT EDUCATIONIS PROVIDERACCEPTING SCOMPLAINTS DISABILITY,A RIGHTSPARENT GRIEVANCE, PROCESSGUARDIAN WOULD, BESTUDENT FUTILE,OR ORTHIRD LIKELYPARTY CAUSEMAY IRREPARABLEFILE HARMA TOCOMPLAINT THEWITH STUDEN;OR (B) THE LOCALDEPARTMENT EDUCATIONALLEGING PROVIDER DOES NOT HAVE A PROMPTVIOLATION ANDOF EQUITABLETHIS ORARTICLE READILY29.5ONLY AVAILABLEAFTER DISABILITY: RIGHTS GRIEVANCE PROCESS .

(II)(I) FORPURSUINGRESOLUTIONOFTHESAMEALLEGATIONTHROUGHTHE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE29.5,TO BE CONSIDERED FUTILE,THECOMPLAINANTMUSTSHOWTHATPURSUINGRESOLUTIONWITH THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER WOULDS BEDISABILITY POINTLESSRIGHTS ORGRIEVANCE INEFFECTIVEPROCESS DESCRIBED IN PROVIDINGSECTION RELIE.22-29.5-104;AND (II)(A) THELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERISSUESAFINALDECISION ;

XAMPLESOR WHERE(B) FUTILITYT MAYHE APPLYLOCAL INCLUDE:EDUCATION PROVIDER 'S FINAL DECISION HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED TO THE COMPLAINANT WITHIN SIXTY DAYS OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINT.

(A)(b) THE(I) LOCALTE EDUCATIONREQUIREMENTS PROVIDEROF LACKSSUBSECTION THE(9)(aOF AUTHORITYTHIS TOSECTION GRANTMAY BE WAIVED BY THE RELIEFDEPARTMENT SOUGHT;IF :

(B)(A) T HE LOCALCOMPLAINANT EDUCATIONDEMONSTRATES PROVIDERTHAT SUSING PROCESSTHE ISLOCAL BIASEDEDUCATIONPROVIDER SDISABILITYRIGHTSGRIEVANCEPROCESSWOULDBE FUTILE OR UNFAIR,ANDLIKELY THUSCAUSE UNLIKELYIRREPARABLE HARM TO RESULTTHE INSTUDENT A;OR FAIR(B) OUTCOM;HOWEVERT ,HE THELOCAL COMPLAINTEDUCATION RECIPIENTPROVIDER ANDDOES THENOT ALLEGEDHAVE DISCRIMINATORYA ENTITYPROMPT BOTHBEINGTHELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERAND ,ALONEEQUITABLE ISINSUFFICIENTTOOR DEMONSTRATEREADILY BIASAVAILABLE ORDISABILITY UNFAIRNESSRIGHTS ;GRIEVANCE PROCESS .

(C)(II) TFRPURPOSESOFTHISARTICLE HERE29.5,TOBECONSIDEREDFUTILE IS, A PATTERN OF THE LOCALCOMPLAINANT EDUCATIONMUST PROVIDERSHOW FAILINGTHAT TOPURSUING RESPONDRESOLUTION INWITH A TIMELY OR APPROPRIATE MANNER TO COMPLAINTS ;OR (D) THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HASWOULD CLEARLYBE DEMONSTRATEDUNWILLINGNESSTOCOMPLYWITHORPARTICIPATEINTHEPOINTLESS PROCESSOR INEFFECTIVE IN GOODPROVIDING FAIT.RELIEF.

(10)EXAMPLES NWHERE OTHINGFUTILITY INMAY THISAPPLY ARTICL29.5INCLUDE SHALL: BE CONSTRUED TO AFFECT ANY ADMINISTRATIVE EXHAUSTION REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL LAW ,INCLUDING THEIDEA AND SECTION 504.

-31-(A) 125T (11)HE NLOCAL OEDUCATION PUBLICPROVIDER ENTITYLACKS SHALLTHE ASSERTAUTHORITY ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5ASADEFENSETOACLAIMBROUGHTPURSUANTTOFEDERAL LAW ,INCLUDING PURSUANT TO GRANT THE IDEARELIEF ANDSOUGHT SECTION; 504.

(B) T HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER S PROCESS IS BIASED OR UNFAIR ANDTHUSUNLIKELYTORESULTINAFAIROUTCOME ;HOWEVER ,THE COMPLAINT RECIPIENT AND THE ALLEGED DISCRIMINATORY ENTITY BOTH BEING THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER ,ALONE , IS INSUFFICIENT TO DEMONSTRATE BIAS OR UNFAIRNESS ;

PAGE 22-SENATE BILL 26-125 (C) T HERE IS A PATTERN OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER FAILINGTORESPONDINATIMELYORAPPROPRIATEMANNERTOCOMPLAINTS ;

OR (D) THELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERHASCLEARLYDEMONSTRATED UNWILLINGNESSTOCOMPLYWITHORPARTICIPATEINTHEPROCESSINGOOD FAITH.

(10) NOTHINGINTHISARTICLE 29.5SHALLBECONSTRUEDTOAFFECT ANY ADMINISTRATIVE EXHAUSTION REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL LAW , INCLUDING THE IDEA AND SECTION 504.

(11) N O PUBLIC ENTITY SHALL ASSERT ANY PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5AS A DEFENSE TO A CLAIM BROUGHT PURSUANT TO FEDERAL LAW ,INCLUDING PURSUANT TO THE IDEA AND SECTION 504.

Effectivedate-repealofpart-gifts,grants,andEffective date - repeal of part - gifts, grants, and donations.

(1) THET HE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK FUNDING FROM GIFTS ,GRANTS , DONATIONS ,AND, AND OTHER AGREEMENTS FOR RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE EXECUTIONEXECUTIONOFTHEPROVISIONSOFSECTIONS OF22-29.5-114AND THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 22-29.5-114 AND 22-29.5-115.THEDEPARTMENTMAYCONTRACTWITHTHIRDPARTIESAND OTHER STATE AGENCIES TO SUPPORT THE EXECUTION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS22-29.5-114AND 22-29.5-115.

(2)(a)STHE ECTIONS22-29.5-114AND22-29.5-115WILLTAKEEFFECTDEPARTMENT IFMAY THECONTRACT DEPARTMENTWITH RECEIVESTHIRD SUFFICIENTPARTIES FUNDINGAND OROTHER RESOURCESSTATE AGENCIES TO SUPPORT THE EXECUTION OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS22-29.5-114SECTIONS AND22-29.5-114AND 22-29.5-115.THECOMMISSIONEROFTHEDEPARTMENTSHALLNOTIFY22-29.5-115. THEREVISOROFSTATUTESINWRITINGOFTHEDATEWHENTHECONDITION SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBSECTIO(2)(a)HAS OCCURRED BY EMAILING THE NOTICETOREVISOROFSTATUTES .GA@ COLEG GOV .SECTIONS22-29.5-114 AND 22-29.5-115TAKESEFFECTUPONTHEDATEIDENTIFIEDINTHENOTICE THATTHECONDITIONSPECIFIEDINTHISSUBSECTION (2)(aHASOCCURRED OR ,IF THE NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY THAT D,UPON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE TO THE REVISOR OF STATUTE.

(b)(2) SECTIONS(a) 22-29.5-114,SCTIONS 22-29.5-11AND22-29.5-114AND THIS22-29.5-115WILL SECTIONTAKE AREEFFECT REPEALEDIF , EFFECTIVEJULY 1, 2028,IF THE COMMISSIONERDEPARTMENT OFRECEIVES THESUFFICIENT DEPARTMENTOFEDUCATIONHASNOTNOTIFIEDTHEREVISOROFSTATUTESFUNDING THATOR THERESOURCES CONDITIONSPECIFIEDINSUBSECTIONTO (2)(a)HASSUPPORTTHEEXECUTIONOFTHEPROVISIONSOFSECTIONS OCCURRED22-29.5-114 BYAND JUNE22-29.5-115. 30, 2028.

-32-HE 125COMMISSIONER 22-29.5-115.OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE REVISOR OF STATUTES IN WRITING OF THE DATE WHEN THE CONDITION SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBSECTION (2)(a)HAS OCCURRED BY EMAILING THE NOTICE TO REVISOROFSTATUTES GA @ COLEG GOV .

ECTIONS 22-29.5-114 AND 22-29.5-115 TAKE EFFECT UPON THE DATE IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE THAT THE CONDITION SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBSECTION2)(a)HAS OCCURRED OR, IF THE NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY THAT DATE,UPON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE TO THE REVISOR OF STATUTES.

(b) S ECTIONS 22-29.5-114, 22-29.5-115AND THIS SECTION ARE REPEALED , EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2028, IF THE COMMISSIONER OF THE PAGE 23-SENATE BILL 26-125 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS NOT NOTIFIED THE REVISOR OF STATUTES THAT THE CONDITION SPECIFIED IN SUBSECTION (2)(a)HAS OCCURRED BY JUNE 30, 2028.

22-29.5-115.

(1) ITHEDEPARTMENTFINDSAVIOLATIONOFTHISARTICLEIF THE DEPARTMENT FINDS A VIOLATION OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5, IT MAY ORDER:ORDER :

(a) ANA N AUDIT OF A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDE;PROVIDER ;

(b) THET HE ESTABLISHMENT OF CORRECTIVE ACTION PLANS TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER ;

(c) THAT COMPENSATORY SERVICES OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL REMEDIALMEASURESREMEDIALMEASURESBEPROVIDEDBYTHELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERTO BE PROVIDED BY THE LOCALEDUCATION PROVIDER TO THE QUALIFIED STUDENT WITH A DISABILI;YDISABILITY (d); TRAINING OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDES STAFF;

(e)(d) TRAINING OF THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER TOS ADOPTSTAFF; NEW OR REVISED POLICIE,PROCEDURES ,RULES,AND FORMS ;

(f)(e) TET HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER TO PROVIDEADOPT ORNEW REINSTATE SERVICES OR BENEFITSREVISED WRONGFULLYPOLICIES,PROCEDURES DENIED;AND,RULES,AND (g)FORMS A; NY OTHER REMEDY NECESSARY , AS DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT , TO REMEDY VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE 29.5 AND PROSPECTIVELY ENSURE COMPLIANCE .

(2)(f) AT HE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MAYTO CONTRACTUALLYPROVIDE DELEGATEALLCOMPLIANCEOR WITHTHISARTICLEREINSTATE 29.5TOANOTHERLOCALSERVICES EDUCATIONOR PROVIDERBENEFITS .WRONGFULLY DENIED ;

NEITHERAND LOCAL(g) EDUCATIONA PROVIDERNY MAYOTHER IMPEDEREMEDY COMPLIANCENECESSARY WITH, THEAS PROVISIONSDETERMINED OFBY THISTHE ARTICL29.5,ANDDEPARTMENT BOTH, LOCALTO EDUCATIONREMEDY PROVIDERSVIOLATIONS MUSTOF COOPERATETHIS WITHARTICLE ANY29.5 COMPLAINTAND INVESTIGATIONPROSPECTIVELY PURSUANTENSURE TOCOMPLIANCE THIS. ARTICL29.5.

(3)(2) THEALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERMAYCONTRACTUALLYDELEGATE DEPARTMENTALL MAYCOMPLIANCE MONITORWITH ATHIS ARTICLE 29.5TO ANOTHER LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER SCOMPLIANCEWITHTHEDEPARTMENT.NEITHERLOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERMAYIMPEDECOMPLIANCE SORDERFORUPTOONEWITH YEAR AFTER THE FINDINGPROVISIONS OF ATHIS VIOLATIONARTICLE29.5,AND BYBOTH THE DEPARTMENT BY REQUIRING THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDERPROVIDERS TOMUST IMPLEMENTCOOPERATE AWITH -33-ANY 125COMPLAINT CORRECTIVEINVESTIGATION ACTIONPURSUANT PLANTO THATTHIS WOULDARTICLE REMEDY29.5. THE VIOLATION.

(4)(3) (a)THE TEDEPARTMENT STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY WITHHOLDMONITOR STATE FUNDS FROM A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER IFS THECOMPLIANCE STATEWITH BOARD OF EDUCATION DETERMINES THAT THE LOCALDEPARTMENT EDUCATIONS PROVIDERORDER HASFOR INTENTIONALLYUP VIOLATED THIS ARTICLE29.5AND DEMONSTRATED AN UNWILLINGNESSTOENTERINTOACORRECTIVEACTIONPLANTOADDRESS THE VIOLATION.PRIORTOINITIATINGTHE PROCESS TO WITHHOLDONE FUNDS,YEAR THEAFTER STATE BOARD MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE LOCALFINDING EDUCATIONPROVIDEROFTHEVIOLATIONSOFTHISARTICLE 29.5ANDTHE CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUIRED.THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MUST BE GIVEN SIXTY DAYS TO RESPOND TO THE NOTI.A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MAY APPEAL A STATE BOARD DECISION TO WITHHOLD STATE FUNDSTOTHEOFFICEOFADMINISTRATIVECOURTS .THESTATEBOARDHAS THE BURDEN OF PROOF ,BY A PREPONDERANCEVIOLATION OFBY THE EVIDENCEDEPARTMENT ,TOBY ESTABLISHPAGE THE24-SENATE BASISBILL OF26-125 THEREQUIRINGTHELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERTOIMPLEMENTACORRECTIVE DECISIONACTION BEINGPLAN APPEA.ED (b) NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, 2026THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT RULES THAT ESTABLISHWOULD PROCEDURESREMEDY FOR THE WITHHOLDINGVIOLATION OF. FUNDS PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICL29.5.

(4) (a) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MAY WITHHOLD STATE FUNDS FROM A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER IF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DETERMINES THAT THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER HAS INTENTIONALLY VIOLATED THIS ARTICLE 29.5 AND DEMONSTRATED AN UNWILLINGNESS TO ENTER INTO A CORRECTIVE ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS THE VIOLATION.

PRIOR TO INITIATING THE PROCESS TO WITHHOLD FUND, THE STATE BOARD MUST PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER OF THE VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE29.5AND THE CORRECTIVEACTIONREQUIRED .THELOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERMUSTBE GIVEN SIXTY DAYS TO RESPOND TO THE NOTICE .

A LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER MAY APPEAL A STATE BOARD DECISION TO WITHHOLD STATE FUNDS TO THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE COURTSTHE STATE BOARD HAS THE BURDEN OF PROOF , BY A PREPONDERANCE OF THE EVIDENCE ,TO ESTABLISH THE BASIS OF THE DECISION BEING APPEALED (b) N O LATER THAN D ECEMBER 31, 2026THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL ADOPT RULES THAT ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE WITHHOLDING OF FUNDS PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE 29.5.

(1) IANIF AN INDIVIDUAL FILES A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND FILES A SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR COMPLAINT BASED ON THE SAME ALLEGED FACTS WITH THEUTHE NITEDSUNITED TATESSTATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICEOFCIVILRIGHTSORTHEOFFICE UNITEDOF STATESDEPARTMENTOFJUSTICECIVIL ,RIGHTS OR THENITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, THE DEPARTMENT MAY :

(a) DISMISSD ISMISS THE COMPLAINT IF THE INDIVIDUAL FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH THE UUNITED NITED STATES DEPARTMENT OFOFEDUCATION EDUCATION OFFICE OFOFCIVILRIGHTSBEFOREFILINGTHECOMPLAINTWITHTHEDEPARTMENT CIVIL;OR RIGHTS(b) BEFORENULLIFY,REVOKE FILING,OR THEVOID COMPLAINTANY WITHFINDINGS THEMADE -34-OR 125REMEDIES DEPARTMENT ;OR (b) NULLIFYREVOKE ,ORVOIDANYFINDINGSMADEORREMEDIES PRESCRIBED IF THE INDIVIDUAL FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH UNITEDTHEUNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS AFTER THE RESOLUTION OF THE COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT.DEPARTMENT .

(2) NOTHINGINTHISSECTIONSHALLBENOTHING CONSTRUEDTOLIMITTHEIN RIGHTSTHIS OFSECTION INDIVIDUALSSHALL BE CONSTRUED TO PURSUELIMIT CLAIMSTHE UNDERPAGE FEDERAL25-SENATE LAWBILL OR26-125 OTHERRIGHTSOFINDIVIDUALSTOPURSUECLAIMSUNDERFEDERALLAWOROTHER STATE LAW .

(1) AALOCALEDUCATIONPROVIDERSHALLNOTCOERCE LOCAL,INTIMIDATE, EDUCATIONTHREATEN PROVIDER SHALL NOT COERCE , INTIMIDATE,THREATEN ,OR DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY INDIVIDU:LINDIVIDUAL: (a) F OR THE PURPOSE OF INTERFERING WITH ANY RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE SECURED BY THIS ARTIC29.5,THE IDEA,SECTION 504,THE ADA, THE"EXCEPTIONAL C HILDRENS EDUCATIONAL A CT",ARTICLE20 OF THIS TITL22,OR THE "PROTECTION OFSTUDENTS FROM RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION A CT"ARTICLE 15.5OF THIS TITL22;

(b)(a) BECAUSEFRTHEPURPOSEOFINTERFERINGWITHANYRIGHTORPRIVILEGE ANSECURED INDIVIDUALBY MAKESTHIS ORARTICLE29.5,THE HASIDEA, MADE,ORSECTION BECAUSE504, ATHEADA, LOCAL EDUCATION PROVIDER BELIEVES AN INDIVIDUAL HAS MADE OR WILL MAKE ,A COMPLAINT UNDER THIS ARTICLE 29.5,THE IDEA, THE ADA,"EXCEPTIONAL THE"EXCEPTIONAL C HILDRENSHILDREN'SEDUCATIONAL EDUCATIONALACT A"ARTICLE CT",ARTICLE2020OFTHISTITLE OF22,OR THIS TITL22,OR THE "PROTECTION OFSTUDENTSOF STUDENTS FROM RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION A CT"ARTICLECT",ARTICLE15.5 15.5OFOF THIS TITL22;ORTITL22; (c) BCAUSEANINDIVIDUALTESTIFIES ,ASSIST,ORPARTICIPATES IN ANY MANNER IN AN INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING REGARDING AN ALLEGATIONORCOMPLAINTPURSUANTTOTHISARTICLE 29.5THE IDEA, THE ADA, THE "EXCEPTIONALC HILDRENSE DUCATIONAL ACT "ARTICLE 20 OFTHISTITLE22,ORTHE "PROTECTIONOF STUDENTSFROM RESTRAINT -35- 125 AND SECLUSION A CT"ARTICLE 15.5OF THIS TITL22.

(2)(b) BECAUSE AN INDIVIDUAL MAKES OR HAS MADE ,OR BECAUSE A LLEGATIONSLOCAL OFEDUCATION COERCIONPROVIDER ,INTIMIDATION,BELIEVES THREATSAN ,INDIVIDUAL DISCRIMINATION,ORHAS OTHERMADE RETALIATIONOR ASWILL DESCRIBEDINTHISMAKE SECTION,A AGAINSTANYINDIVIDUALMAYBEFILEDWITHTHEDEPARTMENTCOMPLAINT ,ANDTHEUNDER DEPARTMENTTHIS SHALLARTICLE29.5,THE PROCESSIDEA, THE ADA, THE "EXCEPTIONAL C HILDREN'SEDUCATIONAL ACT "ARTICLE 20OFTHISTITLE 22,OR THE "PROTECTION OF STUDENTS FROM RESTRAINT AND EVALUATESECLUSION SUCHA ALLEGATIONSCT",ARTICLE15.5 OF THIS TITL22;OR (c) BECAUSE AN INDIVIDUAL TESTIFIE,ASSISTS,OR PARTICIPATES IN ANY MANNER IN AN INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING REGARDING AN ALLEGATION OR COMPLAINT PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE29.5.ARTICLE 29.5,THE IDEA, THE ADA, THE"E XCEPTIONAL CHILDREN S EDUCATIONAL ACT",ARTICLE OF THIS TITL22,OR THE"PROTECTION OF STUDENTS FROM RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION A CT",ARTICLE 15.5OF THIS TITL22.

(2) A LLEGATIONS OF COERCION , INTIMIDATION, THREATS , DISCRIMINATION,OR OTHER RETALIATION AS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL MAY BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT,AND THE DEPARTMENTSHALLPROCESSANDEVALUATESUCHALLEGATIONSPURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE29.5.

The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate preservationofthepublicpeace,health,orsafetyorforappropriationsforPAGE 26-SENATE BILL 26-125 preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.

-36-____________________________ 125____________________________ James Rashad Coleman, Sr.

Julie McCluskie PRESIDENT OF SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES ____________________________ ____________________________ Esther van Mourik Vanessa Reilly SECRETARY OF CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE THE SENATE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVED________________________________________ (Date and Time) _________________________________________ Jared S.

Polis GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO PAGE 27-SENATE BILL 26-125