Sec. 29.0162. REPRESENTATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION DUE PROCESS HEARING. (a) A person in an impartial due process hearing brought under 20 U.S.C. Section 1415 may be represented by:
(1) an attorney who is licensed in this state; or
(2) an individual who is not an attorney licensed in this state but who has special knowledge or training with respect to problems of children with disabilities and who satisfies qualifications under Subsection (b).
(b) The commissioner by rule shall adopt additional qualifications required of a representative for purposes of Subsection (a)(2). The rules must:
(1) prohibit an individual from being a representative under Subsection (a)(2) opposing a school district if:
(A) the individual has prior employment experience with the district; and
(B) the district raises an objection to the individual serving as a representative; and
(2) include requirements that the representative have knowledge of:
(A) special education due process rules, hearings, and procedure; and
(B) federal and state special education laws.
(c) A special education due process hearing officer shall determine whether an individual satisfies qualifications under Subsections (a)(2) and (b).
(d) The agency is not required to license or in any way other than as provided by Subsection (b) regulate representatives described by Subsection (a)(2) in a special education impartial due process hearing.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1333 (S.B. 709), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
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