STATE-ADMINISTERED INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM FACILITATION

(a) The agency shall develop rules in accordance with this section applicable to state-administered individualized education program facilitation. The program shall include the provision of an independent individualized education program facilitator as a dispute resolution method that may be used to avoid a potential dispute between a school district and a parent of a student with a disability or to facilitate an admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting with parties who are in a dispute about decisions relating to the provision of a free appropriate public education to a student with a disability. Facilitation must comply with rules developed under this subsection. (b) The rules must include: (1) a definition of independent individualized education program facilitation; (2) forms and procedures for requesting, conducting, and evaluating independent individualized education program facilitation; (3) training, knowledge, experience, and performance requirements for independent facilitators; and (4) conditions required to be met in order for the agency to provide individualized education program facilitation at no cost to the parties. (c) If the commissioner determines that adequate funding is available, the commissioner may authorize the use of federal funds to implement individualized education program facilitation in accordance with this section. (d) The commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.